Applying for Aid | Graduate & Professional

Follow these steps to apply for financial aid from federal resources.

Open as of December 2023. The 2024-25 FAFSA is currently live. 

  • Go to fafsa.gov.
  • Include Pacific University Oregon as a recipient of your processed FAFSA.
  • Use your FSA ID to sign the FAFSA.
  • To be considered for need-based funds such as Federal Work Study, your FAFSA must be submitted by March 1st every year.

Respond to any requests for additional information from the Financial Aid Office

If we have questions about the information you submitted on the FAFSA, we will email you.

Check Financial Aid Self Service via BoxerOnline for your financial aid offer

The Financial Aid Office will email you when your financial aid offer is ready to view.

  • Notification for admitted graduate & professional students begins in mid-March. Upon admission, prospective students will receive credentials for creating a BoxerOnline account.
  • Notification for current (continuing) graduate and professional students begins in April.

Accept your Financial Aid Offer and sign your Offer Letter using Financial Aid Self Service

  • Log in to BoxerOnline.
  • Click on Manage My Financial Aid.
  • From the drop-down menu, choose My Awards. Accept (or decline) each award.
  • From the drop-down menu, choose Offer Letter. Click the acceptance box at the bottom of the page.
  • If you are selected for verification, you cannot accept your need-based aid or sign your Offer Letter. Complete verification requirements as quickly as possible so that your eligibility for financial aid can be finalized. Choose Required Documents from the drop-down menu on Financial Aid Self Service to view the steps you need to take to complete the verification process. Verification is only required for students participating in the Federal Work Study Program or the Health Professions Student Loan Program (HPSL).

Review the Financial Aid Checklist on the Home Page of Financial Aid Self Service

The Financial Aid Checklist on the home page of Financial Aid Self Service will reflect any additional steps you need to take to finalize your eligibility for financial aid.

Complete loan requirements (if you accept a loan)

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

If you are borrowing a Direct Unsubsidized Loan for the first time, you must complete a Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note) and Entrance Counseling. 

  • Log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID.
  • Under "I want to:", click on "Complete Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note)".
  • Click the Start button next to "MPN for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans".
  • Enter required information and remember to save a copy of the completed MPN for your records.
  • Go back to the Home Page and click "Complete Loan Counseling."
  • Under Counseling Type, click on the Start button next to "Entrance Counseling".
  • Select Pacific University Oregon in the Select Schools to Notify section.
  • Complete the Entrance Counseling process.

Once you complete the MPN and Entrance Counseling, your Checklist on Financial Aid Self Service (BoxerOnline) will not update immediately. It may take time for these checklist items to show as completed; don’t worry. 

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

If you are borrowing a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for the first time, you must apply for the loan, complete a Direct PLUS Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note) and Entrance Counseling. 

  • Log in to studentaid.gov using your FSA ID.
  • Under "I want to:", click on "Apply for a Direct PLUS Loan"
  • Click the Start button next to "Direct Plus Loan Application for Graduate/Professional Students" and complete the application.
  • Go back to the Home Page and, click on "Complete Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note)".
  • Click on the Start button next to "Complete PLUS MPN for Graduate/Professional Students".
  • Enter required information and remember to save a copy of the completed MPN for your records.
  • Go back to the Home Page and click on "Complete Loan Counseling".
  • Under Counseling Type, click on the Start button next to "Entrance Counseling".
  • Select Pacific University Oregon in the Select Schools to Notify section.
  • Indicate in the Select Student Type section that you are completing entrance counseling to receive Direct Loans as a graduate or professional student.
  • Complete the Entrance Counseling process. NOTE: If you completed Entrance Counseling as an undergraduate, you must complete this step as a graduate or professional student to borrow a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.

Once you complete the MPN and Entrance Counseling, your Checklist on Financial Aid Self Service (BoxerOnline) will not update immediately. It may take time for these checklist items to show as completed; don’t worry. 

Read your email for Financial Aid information

The Pacific Financial Aid Office communicates via email with admission applicants and current students.

  • For prospective and admitted applicants, we will use the email you provide to the admission office. If you change your email address, update the admission office.
  • For deposited applicants and current students, we will use your pacificu.edu address. Deposited students are encouraged to establish their pacificu.edu email account as soon as possible.

Sign up for Direct Deposit

  • If you plan to work on campus (or off campus in a Federal Work Study Community Service position), complete a Direct Deposit Payroll Authorization, available through Human Resources. Return the completed authorization to the Human Resources Office.
  • If you anticipate that a portion of your financial aid will be refunded to you (for housing, books, personal expenses, etc.), sign up for E-Refunds through the Business Office, which allows your funds to be directly deposited to your checking or savings account rather than waiting for a paper check refund.