Federal Student Loans and Work Study
Pace Student Loan Code of Conduct
Pace University is committed to student-centered loan processing. The University has participated in the Direct Loan program in which loans are provided directly from the federal government to students since the 1994–1995 school year. Pace Financial Aid staff certify and transmit all federal loans directly to the Common Origination and Disbursement Center of the Department of Education. With regard to private/alternative (non-federal) educational loans, Pace Financial Aid staff will certify any loan of the student’s choice. We do not endorse any particular lender. Neither do we participate in any of the following practices with lenders: Revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender, receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer, contracting arrangement providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender, directing borrowers to particular lenders or refusing or delaying loan certifications, offers of funds for private loans, call center or financial aid office staffing assistance or advisory board compensation.
Federal Student Loans
Federal student loans are financial aid funds that you must repay with interest. Loans are a helpful way to finance your college experience, however, please remember that you will be responsible for these at some point after graduation, or if you become enrolled for less than 6 credits at any time.
What to Know About Federal Student Loans
All student loans are subject to annual maximum amounts and the student must be the applicant/borrower. For detailed information about your Federal student loan borrowing history, including contact information for your loan servicer, visit the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website.
General Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid Programs
The student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, have a valid Social Security Number, registered for Selective Service (males aged 18 and older) and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The student must be admitted as a matriculated student in a degree or certificate program at Pace and be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester. The student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards a degree. The student must not be in default of a Federal student loan and the combination of Federal aid and all other aid received may not exceed the student's Cost of Attendance. Visit the Federal Student Aid Website.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is a type of Financial Aid offered to Pace students to help them pay for college. This is a Federal part-time work program offered to eligible undergraduate and graduate students. Work-Study is NOT a grant; however, it does allow students to earn money while they are in school. Funds earned under the Work Study program are paid DIRECTLY to the student and not deducted from their school's invoice or bill.
FWS eligibility is offered based on financial need and available funding. Students are paid hourly, and are usually employed by Pace Law School – they must be paid at least the current federal minimum wage. A student works with their college to determine where they will work and base a student’s hours on financial need, class schedule, and academic progress. Typically, students work on campus. If a student works off-campus, it is usually at a private, non-profit, or public organization whose work is in the public interest. Eligibility for Federal work-study is determined by FAFSA on a first-come, first-served basis.
You may obtain a list of eligible law school/University on-campus work-study opportunities from the Human Resources department. Off-campus work-study opportunities are available through the Public Interest Law Center and individual department heads at Pace Law School. Funding for work-study comes from a combination of federal and employer contributions. Students are typically paid $10 an hour, and may work no more than 20 hours per week during the academic school year or to a maximum award amount of $4,000.
How Does Federal Work Study Work?
Federal Work Study awards included on a Financial Aid Award notice represents the student's eligibility to earn towards those funds. These funds will not be available at the start of the academic year to pay the Fall semester bill.
How Are Work Study Students Paid?
Federal Work Study paychecks are issued twice each month based on the number of hours worked and the hourly wage rate. Paychecks are issued on a half-month delay which means that students will be paid on September 30th for hours worked from September 1–15. Employment under the program will normally average 10–15 hours per week while classes are in session. During vacation periods, students may work up to 40 hours per week. Total earnings under Federal Work Study are limited to the award amount authorized by the Financial Aid Office. Visit the Federal Student Aid Website: Work-Study.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Graduate level students may borrow Unsubsidized Stafford loans while they complete their program of study. Unsubsidized loans have a fixed interest rate of 6% with a 1.068% origination fee. Interest begins accruing on Unsubsidized Stafford loans as soon as the loan is disbursed. We strongly recommend that the student try to make interest payments on these loans while in school to avoid having the interest added to the principle of the loan after leaving school. Repayment begins when the student graduates or stops attending school at least half-time (6 credits). Although Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are processed through the Office of Financial Aid, the money is borrowed directly from and repaid to the U.S. Department of Education.
- The student will then need to sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the Direct Stafford Loan (if the student has not previously borrowed a Direct Loan and signed an MPN).
- First time borrowers must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling before the loan funds can be disbursed to their accounts.
Graduate Plus Loan
Graduate and Professional students are eligible to borrow under the Direct PLUS Loan Program up to their Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other estimated financial aid. The FAFSA must be filed prior to applying for this loan. These loans are not guaranteed and are subject to credit approval. Students must exhaust their Federal Stafford loan eligibility before applying for a Direct PLUS. The fixed interest rate on the Direct PLUS loan is 7% with a 4.272% origination fee.
Payment on the Direct PLUS can be deferred until 6 months after the student graduates or falls below half-time enrollment (6 credits).