Refund and Repayment Policy
When a student who is receiving financial aid withdraws from or drops classes for any reason, the resulting refund, credit, or cancellation of tuition, fees, dormitory charges, or meal plan charges must be credited first to the financial aid programs from which the student was receiving funds, for that semester. The amount credited to each financial aid program is determined by the type of aid received, the number of credits the student was enrolled in prior to and after the drop or withdrawal, the length of time the student was enrolled, and the amount of any adjustments made to charges.
In order to officially withdraw from classes, a student must withdraw via their Pace portal, or file for withdrawal with the Registrar's Office.
Federal Financial Aid Recipients Who Withdraw From All Classes
Federal Title IV financial aid includes: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Student Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students or Graduate PLUS loans). For students who withdraw from all classes for a semester, federal regulations require that the Financial Aid Office perform the Return to Title IV Funds calculation.
If the student has withdrawn within the first 60 percent of the semester, the student is considered to have “earned” the portion of disbursable Title IV funds equal to the ratio of the number of days the student was enrolled to the number of days in the semester. The calculation will require the return of all Federal aid that exceeds the “earned” portion. The amount of aid returned to each program is dictated by the Federal calculation.
The Return to Title IV Funds calculation also determines the amount of awarded but not yet disbursed aid, if any, that can be credited to the student’s account. Students may not apply for additional Federal aid after withdrawing from all classes.
If a return of funds is required, it must be distributed to the various financial aid programs in the following order prescribed by law:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan (for parents or graduate students)
- Federal Pell Grant
- FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Note: in certain circumstances a student may be required to repay a portion of a refund back to the Federal Government.
For more detailed information on the Return to Title IV Funds and withdrawal policy please visit our Return to Title IV Funds (R2T4) policy page.
Federal Financial Aid Recipients Who Withdraw Below Six Credits
The procedure varies by program:
Federal Work Study (FWS)
A student working under the Federal Work Study program, who drops or withdraws below six credits, no longer meets the Federal guidelines to receive Federal Work Study. If the student drops or withdraws, the student should notify their direct supervisor and check with the Financial Aid Office to go over the implications for their work position.
Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grant Award is determined by the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrollment status. Pell awards may be adjusted for changes in enrollment that occur during the first 4 weeks of a semester.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
If a student receives a refund, credit, or cancellation of any institutional charges and FSEOG has been disbursed to the student's account, an adjustment may be required as a result of the change in Cost of Attendance. If the grant has yet to be disbursed, eligibility may change.
Direct Student Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans
If a student receives a refund, credit, or cancellation of any institutional charges and a loan has been disbursed to the student's account, an adjustment may be required. If a loan has yet to be disbursed, loan eligibility may change. In addition, any undisbursed second disbursement of a Direct Student Loan or Direct PLUS Loan must be cancelled.
All Federal Aid
Students may not apply for or be awarded additional Federal aid after withdrawing below six credits.
Exit Counseling Guide for Federal Student Loan Borrowers
If you borrowed Federal loans while attending Pace University, Exit Counseling is required before you withdraw, graduate, or drop below 6 credit (half-time) attendance. Exit Counseling helps you understand your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Please review Federal Student Aid Exit Counseling for detailed information.
Federal Financial Aid Recipients Who Drop Below the Level of Enrollment for Which the Aid Was Originally Awarded, But Who Remain Enrolled for at Least Six Credits
The procedure varies by program:
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grant Award is determined by the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrollment status. Pell awards may be adjusted for changes in enrollment that occur during the first 4 weeks of a semester.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Direct Stafford Loans, and Direct Plus Loans
If a student receives a refund, credit, or cancellation of any institutional charges an adjustment to these programs may be required to eliminate an over award.
Recipients of Pace University Scholarships and Grants Who Withdraw From Any Classes
If a student withdraws from any classes and receives a refund, credit, or cancellation of tuition, fees, housing charges or meal plan charges, any university aid the student has received that is applicable to the reduced charges will be adjusted if the withdrawal resulted in the student being enrolled in fewer than the minimum required number of credits for the type(s) of aid received. Most University scholarships and awards are applicable to tuition; other types of University aid are applicable to other combinations of charges. The amount of each type of aid reduced will equal the ratio of the reduced charges to the original charges.
Recipients of New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Other State Grant Programs Who Withdraw
New York State regulations govern the reduction or cancellation of TAP in cases where students withdraw or drop classes. New York State TAP and most other state grant programs are applicable only to tuition. If a student withdraws and receives a refund, credit, or cancellation of tuition and/or fees, New York State awards must be reduced to ensure that the award amount does not exceed the remaining applicable charges. In addition, other adjustments may be necessary. The student should contact the Student Accounts Office regarding TAP and other New York State grant program refund requirements.
Recipients of any Federal, Institutional or Private Financial Aid Funds Who Withdraw
In all cases, students who are considering withdrawing from classes may call or visit the Financial Aid Office for further details or to discuss their particular situation.
Adjustments to Cost of Attendance due to Changes in Enrollment or Living Arrangements
A student's financial aid eligibility is based on their anticipated enrollment and living arrangements as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any changes in a student's enrollment status may result in financial aid adjustments to reflect the updated enrollment. Most forms of aid require that the student enrolls in a minimum of 6 credits (half-time status). If a student drops below 6 credit (half-time) enrollment their cost of attendance must be adjusted and will only include charges owed directly to Pace University. Students must notify the Financial Aid Office if there are any changes to their enrollment status at Pace University.
Students must also notify the office if their living arrangements change (i.e. the student expected to live in on-campus residence halls but will actually be commuting). These changes may result in cancellation or adjustment to the students financial aid. If a student is partially charged for housing the cost of attendance will be updated to reflect the new charges and the student's aid will be adjusted to not exceed their cost of attendance.