U.S. citizen and permanent resident instructions
Merit scholarships are awarded at the time of admission. Need-based scholarships, federal work study, federal and state grants are awarded after the FAFSA form is filed. Additionally, US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to borrow funds from the Federal Direct Loans after the FAFSA form is filed. Private education loan programs are available for all students, including international citizens. For more information on the different loan options available to students, please review the Loans section of this website.
Note: When completing your FAFSA, use school code 002798 for Pratt Institute.
The FAFSA should be completed by Pratt’s MARCH 1 deadline in order to ensure that you receive your package in time to make a decision. It is available starting in December each year. Do not wait until you have your taxes filed to apply. Complete the FAFSA using estimates and then correct it after you have submitted your taxes using the assigned PIN. FAFSA opens in December and students will be packaged after they submit their documentation.
Verification Forms
There are some instances where you may be required to submit additional documentation by way of verification forms. You will be advised by Tino Lula, Associate Director of Compliance and Quality Assurance in Student Financial Services. Notice of the forms and information required for verification will be sent via email. If there are forms you need to submit but that are not listed in the box below, please contact Tino Lula, Associate Director of Compliance and Quality Assurance, Student Financial Services, Myrtle Hall 6th Floor, at (718) 636-3715 or tlula@pratt.edu. If you are unable to make contact, please email sfs@pratt.edu.
Financial Aid Award Letter Appeals
The appeal process is a way for families to convey additional information which may not be captured on the FAFSA to the Office of Financial Aid. In other cases, some families may have a change in circumstance that occurs after the FAFSA is filed. We encourage these families to share their special circumstances with our office by completing a Financial Aid Appeal Form.
Appeals Deadlines
The Appeals Committee will begin meeting on May 15 to review appeals and discuss family circumstances for our entering class. Students and families will be notified of their appeals decision by May 31.
If you believe your or your family’s circumstances may allow you to submit an appeal, please access and review the following appeal qualification information within this section.
Pratt Institute Policy on Negotiations
Pratt Institute awards the best financial aid award we can within federal and state guidelines and within the limitations of our limited resources. Therefore, the idea that there is “room” for negotiating a better financial aid award is not realistic. The Pratt’s appeals process described above is the only way that an adjustment can be made to a student’s financial aid award (separate funds are set up for these purposes). Every school has different resources and strategies and Pratt Institute will not change awards simply based on a student receiving more aid from another institution. Additionally, Pratt Institute will not process a financial aid appeal unless a FAFSA has been filed by the student.
Types of Appeals
Changes in Parent or Student Income
To appeal due to changes in income we require the submission of all necessary documents to show the changes in income with copies of unemployment benefits, w-2 forms, divorce degree or separation agreement and confirmation from Disability Support Services (DSS).
To appeal due to changes in the parent or student income and assets as reported on FAFSA you are required to submit documents substantiating proof of one time capital gains or asset value decrease.
Changes in Expenses Paid
To appeal based on medical expenses paid for student or parent (if dependent) in FAFSA tax year that exceeded 11% of adjusted gross income, please only provide documentation of medical expenses paid, not doctor visits or exams.
Request for Independent Student Status
To appeal based on independent status please provide three personal letters of reference from adults familiar with your case, such as a teacher, counselor, medical authority, member of the clergy and prison administrator. In addition, a government agency should confirm the unusual circumstances and student must submit evidence with official documents such as court order or police reports.
Request to increase the student’s Cost of Attendance
To appeal due to child care expenses, medical and dental expenses, film, or equipment expenses incurred during the academic year, please submit a letter detailing additional cost required to directly or indirectly attend classes and accompanying evidence as required proof.
All Appeals documentation should be provided with your Financial Aid Appeal Form. The financial aid counselors can request more documentation at their discretion. Prior to applying for appeal the student and/or parent must have confirmed income information on the FAFSA by using the IRS Retrieval tool at Simple Steps to Transfer Tax Information Into Your FAFSA Form Text-only | Federal Student Aid or submitting an IRS Transcript to our office.
Once you complete the Financial Aid Appeal Form with the required documentation the financial aid office will make the final determination. The Financial Aid Committee will begin meeting on May 15 to review appeals and discuss family circumstances for our entering class . Students and families will be notified of their appeal decisions by May 31.
If the appeal is approved, the financial aid office will make a professional judgment and make changes to the student’s FAFSA, if necessary. Please keep in mind that sometimes the changes made to the FAFSA by our staff may not warrant additional aid. The appeal process was created to help students make use of the resources we have at Pratt. Our financial aid counselors are available to meet with you at your convenience. Our financial aid counselors are available to meet with you at your convenience.
Examples of Circumstances that May Be Considered
- A change in the income reported on the FAFSA due to:
- parent(s), student now unemployed
- parent(s), student has new lower earning job or now working part-timeparent(s), student are separated or have filed for divorce
- Medical expenses you (or your parent—if dependent) “paid” in FAFSA tax year that exceeded 11% of adjusted gross income.
- K-12 private school expenses for younger siblings of dependent students (maximum considered to reduce parent income is $7900 per child.)
- Death of parent (or spouse if an independent student)
- Request to be considered as an independent student.
- Request to increase the student’s cost of attendance (COA) due to:
- special course expenses
- disability expenses
- one-time computer purchase
- study abroad travel expenses
NOTE: Approval of an increase to the student cost of attendance (COA) may increase student or parent eligibility for federal or private loans or allow outside resources to be received without reducing existing financial aid awards. An increase to the COA will not result in additional institutional grant or scholarship aid to cover the expense.
Examples of Circumstances that May Not Be Considered
- Parking fees on or off campus
- Request to match the financial aid award from another school
- Increased mortgage expenses
- High consumer or business debt
- Failed business or real estate ventures
- Parent attending college
- Inability to liquidate assets
- Request for assistance with balance owed for prior academic year
- Request to exclude stepparent income on your FAFSA
International citizen instructions
Merit scholarships are awarded at the time of admission. Visit Office of International Affairs (OIA) for more information.