How to Apply for Financial Aid

Students who are US citizens or permanent residents may apply for financial aid through the process described below. International students are not eligible for need-based aid but are eligible for international merit-based scholarships. All incoming domestic and international students are considered for merit-based scholarships upon acceptance. There is no application for merit-based scholarships. More information on scholarships below.

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.

How to Apply: To apply for need-based aid including student loans, you are required to file the FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid. International students are not eligible for need-based aid and may not apply using the FAFSA. See scholarship information below for international students.

What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA helps us determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional need-based aid. In addition, the Pratt Summer Financial Aid Application is required only for those who wish to attend summer classes and/ or study abroad. Our financial aid application process is simple and straightforward. If you follow the directions on our website, you will receive your award package early enough to enable you to make a fully informed decision. Feel free to call your financial aid counselor if you have any questions about the forms themselves or about your award. Our counselors are eager to help you learn about your eligibility for the wide range of financial aid programs available. You may obtain more detailed information by downloading our financial aid brochure below.

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 2nd Floor, at (718) 636-3715 or tlula@pratt.edu. If you are unable to make contact, please email sfs@pratt.edu.

Complete Verification eform now.

Scholarships

Scholarships for incoming students are awarded by the admissions office for undergraduate students and by the academic department for graduate students. No application is necessary, and these are merit-based. Continuing students are eligible for endowed/restricted scholarships. International students are eligible for international merit-based scholarships.

Apply for Financial Aid

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.

Types of Appeals
Examples of Circumstances that May Be Considered
Examples of Circumstances that May Not Be Considered

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
1. Changes in Parent or Student Income
  1. 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).
  2. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
1. A change in the income reported on the FAFSA due to:
  1. parent(s), student now unemployed
  2. parent(s), student has new lower earning job or now working part-time
  3. parent(s), student are separated or have filed for divorce
2. Medical expenses you (or your parent—if dependent) “paid” in FAFSA tax year that exceeded 11% of adjusted gross income.
3. K-12 private school expenses for younger siblings of dependent students (maximum considered to reduce parent income is $7900 per child.)
4. Death of parent (or spouse if an independent student)
5. Request to be considered as an independent student.
6. Request to increase the student’s cost of attendance (COA) due to:
  1. special course expenses
  2. disability expenses
  3. one-time computer purchase
  4. 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
1. Parking fees on or off campus
2. Request to match the financial aid award from another school
3. Increased mortgage expenses
4. High consumer or business debt
5. Failed business or real estate ventures
6. Parent attending college
7. Inability to liquidate assets
8. Request for assistance with balance owed for prior academic year
9. Request to exclude stepparent income on your FAFSA

International Students

International students seeking funding options for private loans may examine the following links for assistance:

Graduate Student Loans
Undergraduate Student Loans