Pace University financial aid director outlines FAFSA changes and filing tips for Pleasantville families

Dan Robinson, director of financial aid at Pace University, told families at Pleasantville High Schools Financial Aid Night that filing the FAFSA is the single most important step to access federal aid and that the form has been simplified for 2026—27. "Focus on that first word. It is free," Robinson said, urging parents not to pay for help with the FAFSA.

Robinson explained the Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated from the FAFSA and used to estimate demonstrated financial need: cost of attendance minus SAI equals need. He emphasized the SAI is an assessment tool, not a bill. "The FAFSA has been simplified to the point where it can be completed by student and parent in, I'd say, less than 15 or 20 minutes," he said, recommending families carve out time to complete it together and use a laptop rather than a phone.

Robinson highlighted technical changes intended to reduce errors: an automated federal tax-information transfer (DDX/FTI) moves IRS data directly into the FAFSA when filers give consent, which he said has shrunk common mistakes from prior years. He also reviewed practical filing steps: students and contributing parents each need an FSA ID, students should complete their portion first, and the FAFSA allows up to 20 colleges to be listed initially.

On federal aid amounts and thresholds, Robinson gave specific figures used by financial aid offices: he said the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395 and noted SAI ranges that make Pell eligibility more likely. He also outlined changes reported for the Parent PLUS loan: annual borrowing was discussed in guidance as $20,000 per student per year and an overall cap described as $65,000 over three years, a formula Robinson said appears inconsistent and is being clarified by higher-education professionals working with federal officials. "It's scheduled to go into place July 1," he said, but added administrators are awaiting final confirmation.

Robinson reviewed loan types and costs: federal PLUS loans (parent loans) are credit-based, he said, with a stated interest rate and an origination fee families should expect. He recommended families consider interest-accrual mechanics (subsidized loans do not accrue interest while in school; unsubsidized do) and, if possible, pay interest while the student is enrolled to avoid capitalization.

He warned about common FAFSA mistakes that reduce eligibility—such as reporting the value of the family home as an asset—and clarified treatment of retirement accounts and 529 plans: retirement funds generally are not reported as assets on the FAFSA; a 529 owned by a grandparent typically is not reported until disbursed, while a 529 owned by a parent is treated as a parental asset.

The presentation closed with Robinson answering live questions about contributors and remarried parents, and Cheryl Thomas, co-coordinator of the school counseling department, reminded families the recording and resources will be posted on the counseling page for follow-up.

The school said families can contact the counseling office with further questions and the recording will be available on the Pleasantville High School counseling page.