Financial Aid

Financial Aid at Pacifica Graduate Institute

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: Navient Reaches $1.85 Billion Settlement With State AGs, Agrees to Cancel Loans for Thousands

Borrowers with federal loans who qualify for relief under the settlement don’t need to take any action if they have a studentaid.gov account with up-to-date information, according to a site created to inform borrowers of the settlement and terms.

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Posted on NASFAA.org | Student Loan Interest Rates for 2022-23 Award Year Set to Increase

Interest rates are determined each June 1 for the upcoming award year by adding a fixed percentage to the high yield of the 10-year Treasury note auctioned at the final auction prior to June 1. As a result of yesterday’s auction, the interest rate for federal loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2022, are expected to increase from 3.73% to 4.99% for undergraduate Direct Loans, from 5.28% to 6.54% for graduate/professional Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and from 6.28% to 7.54% for Parent and Grad PLUS loans. The interest rate caps for these loans are 8.25%, 9.5 % and 10.5% respectively.

Introduction to Financial Aid at Pacifica Graduate Institute with Theresa Quijano

A short film about student financial aid services at Pacifica Graduate Institute with Theresa Quijano

Welcome to Financial Aid at Pacifica

Pacifica Graduate Institute is a degree granting institution, accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is approved by the US Department of Education for participation in the Federal Loan Programs. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our welcome to you. While the process of financing an education can be challenging, the Office of Financial Aid Office is committed to making this process as manageable as possible.The purpose of financial aid is to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in at least a half-time basis (minimum of three units/quarter) in an eligible program at Pacifica. Pacifica’s Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty and staff do all they can to ensure a quality educational experience.

Office of Financial Aid is continuing to work on ensuring funds are being processed and disbursed in a timely manner during this time of health concerns. Please be aware that there can be a slight delay with this as the school is adjusting to the on-line classroom platform, but will make sure all steps are taken to avoid any delays when possible. If you need to reach the Office of Financial Aid department at this time please send an e-mail to financialaid@pacifica.edu and we will respond as soon as we can. If you need to speak with a team member please call (805) 679-6197 during regular business hours of 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday-Friday.

Borrower Relief (Section 3513): The law suspends payments and interest accruals on Federal Direct Loans and FFEL loans through September 30, 2020 as well as collection activity on such loans. We anticipate the Department and state governments will issue additional guidance related to provisions of the CARES Act in the coming days and weeks as the relief is implemented.National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) release 3/25/2020

“Relief for Federal Student Loan Borrowers

The bipartisan proposal would suspend payments and interest accrual on federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) held by ED until Sept. 30, 2020. The bill would also count each month of suspended loan payments as if the borrower had made a payment for the purpose of income-driven repayment plan loan forgiveness or Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as well as for loan rehabilitation purposes. Suspended payments are to be reported to consumer credit reporting agencies as regularly scheduled payments made by the borrower. Involuntary collections such as wage garnishment, tax refund reductions, and reductions of federal benefits like Social Security benefits would also be suspended until Sept. 30, 2020.

The bill requires ED, within 15 days of enactment, to inform borrowers of the temporary suspension and of their option to continue to make payments. The bill also requires ED to send six notices to borrowers, beginning on Aug. 1, 2020, informing them that the temporary suspension period is ending, and reminding them of their obligation to resume repayment. Those notices would be required to include information about income-driven plans.

Related to repayment, the bill also provides a tax break for large employers who contribute to an employee’s student loan payment. Under the measure, employers could pay up to $5,250 in payments for employees tax-free.”

This Section only applies to Direct Loans and FFELs that are held by the Department of Education. If a borrower refinanced a federal loan and it is now held by a private company, this Section will not apply. It also does not apply to private education loans.

For further information we recommend you refer to your National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and FED Aid at: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronaviru https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/4625s https://studentaidhelp.ed.gov/app/home/site/nslds. We will continue to monitor for updates.

Wishing you and all you love health and wellbeing.
– The Pacifica’s Department of Financial Aid

Financial Aid Consultation

Schedule A Financial Aid Consultation

All applicants and newly accepted students are now able to schedule a one-on-one phone consultation with a member of our Office of Financial Aid .

Cost Breakdown with Financial Aid
View the breakdown of tuition and fees minus financial aid.
Cost of Attendance
View the estimated cost of attendance for each program.

2023-2024 Financial Aid Guide

The financial aid information published in this handbook is current and accurate at the time of printing. Federal and state regulations governing the various federal and state programs may change periodically. Please consult the Financial Aid Office for the most current information.

2022-2023 Financial Aid Guide

Student Consumer Information

All postsecondary institutions participating in federal financial aid programs are required to make available certain information to assist consumers in making more informed decisions about their education options. Visit our Student Consumer Information page to review our disclosures.

General Eligibility Criteria How do I qualify?

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan program is an entitlement program and is not based on your income or assets. To qualify you must:

Be admitted and enrolled in at least a half-time basis in an eligible program at Pacifica.
Complete the FAFSA each year to determine eligibility for federal financial assistance. Use Pacifica’s School Code: G31268
Must be in good standing in order to qualify for federal financial assistance. Student may not be in default on or owe a refund for any federal financial aid programs or federal liens.
Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.
Provide proof of compliance with selective service registration and drug conviction regulations.
Must be making Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FSAP) toward the completion of the degree requirements.

Financial Aid Process How do I apply? ~ How does this work?

For helpful information regarding the Financial Aid Process, please download the Financial Aid Process Flow Chart.

Step one: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on an annual basis at FAFSA on-line. Please remember to include Pacifica’s School code – G31268.
Step two: Once the FAFSA results are received, Pacifica will determine your eligibility and email you an Award Notification with instructions on how to complete the financial aid process.
Step three: You will have access to review the award and actively confirm your interest (accept or decline) the Award on Pacifica’s Financial Aid Online System. If you accept the Award, you must also complete an online Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling requirements through the U.S Department of Education website at https://studentloans.gov.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget determined by the institution to estimate the cost of education for the academic year. This includes direct costs, such as tuition and residential/nonresidential fees, plus estimates of indirect costs, including living expenses (outside of Pacifica), books, travel, personal, and miscellaneous expenses. The estimated figures of the indirect costs are provided by The College Board and are based on nine-month California regional and metropolitan budgets developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These indirect costs are only estimates. Individual student costs may vary based on student’s standard of living and residential location. A breakdown of the COA is available here.

Deadlines

Students may apply for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan year-round by completing the FAFSA on-line but plan ahead to make sure that you complete the required items by the start of the quarter. All items should be accurately completed and received by the Financial Aid Office at least 3 weeks prior to your tuition due date. Although loans will be originated throughout the academic year, students who do not submit the required items in a timely manner must be prepared to meet their tuition obligation.

Pacifica Scholarships

NEW SPRING START STUDENTS: 2023 Spring Scholarship application (Deadline: April 1, 2023)
NEW FALL START STUDENTS: 2023 Fall Scholarship application (Deadline: May 15, 2023)

Contact Office of Financial Aid

Office of Financial Aid
249 Lambert Road
Carpinteria, CA 93013
(In Room 1 of the Guest House Building)
OFFICE HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm
PHONE: 805.679.6197 | FAX: 805.565.9887 | EMAIL: financialaid@pacifica.edu

Director of Financial Aid

Tracie Teague
(805) 679-6137
tteague@pacifica.edu

Enrollment Agreements
Peace Corps – Paul Coverdell Fellows Benefits
Financial Aid Suspension Appeal Review
Administrative Policies –ED, BPPE state authorization
Compliance

Associate Director of Financial Aid

Theresa Quijano
(805) 679-6150
tquijano@pacifica.edu

Financial aid publications
Dissertation Students
Satisfactory Academic Progress Review
Loan Adjustments
Repayment Counseling
Scholarships

Lead Financial Aid Coordinator

Sabrina Wilson
(805) 679-6159
swilson@pacifica.edu

General Financial Aid
Loan disbursements
Tribal Benefits
Veteran’s Benefits / Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
AmeriCorps Benefits

Financial Aid Coordinator

Vickie O’Neal
(805) 679-6136
voneal@pacifica.edu

General Financial Aid
New Students
Phone Consultations

Non-discrimination Policy:

Pacifica is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or identity, physical or mental disability, citizenship status (within the limits imposed by law or Institute policy), marital status, medical condition, or age in any of its policies, procedures or practices.