The Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund: Empowering Pace University Students

The Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund represents a significant opportunity for Pace University students. Rooted in a legacy of philanthropy and a commitment to community service, this scholarship fund aims to support deserving students in their pursuit of higher education. This article delves into the origins of the foundation, its mission, and the various scholarships and grants available to Pace University students, with a special focus on how the Pforzheimer Foundation contributes to this landscape.

A Legacy of Philanthropy: The Pforzheimer Family

The Pforzheimer family's dedication to democracy and community engagement spans three generations. Carl H. Pforzheimer Jr. played a vital role in the League's board of directors, including a term as president from 1975-78. He was also the primary benefactor of the League’s endowment, now named in honor of the family. In addition to endowing the League, the family's foundation has also supported the Pforzheimer Fellows Program, managed by the National Civic League. This program awards mini-grants to students who are researching or developing solutions to civic challenges. The League has worked primarily with the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and University of Colorado-Denver, though students from other colleges and universities are eligible as well.

Carl H. Pforzheimer III has continued his family’s tradition of community service and has maintained funding for the Fellows program since his father passed in 1996. He now oversees the Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation, endowed in 1942 by Carl H. Pforzheimer Sr., a banker who sought to give back to the community.

The Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation: Mission and Focus

Carl Pforzheimer Sr. established the Foundation to support higher and secondary education, libraries, cultural programs, public administration, and healthcare. The Foundation’s areas of interest include adult education (literacy, basic skills & GED), arts, education, reading education, government/public administration/higher education, language/linguistics, libraries/library science, literature, nursing care, performing arts (theater), public affairs/citizen participation, secondary school/education, and youth development/citizenship.

The Foundation offers various types of support, including endowments, fellowships, internship funds, matching/challenge support, professorships, program development, publication, scholarship funds, and seed money.

It's important to note that the foundation does not typically support religious or political organizations, individual grants, building funds, or loans. While the foundation supports organizations nationally, their largest endeavor involves their American and English literature collection at the New York Public Library (NYPL).

To apply for funding from the Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation, a letter or proposal should include the qualifications of key personnel, a brief history of the organization, a detailed description of the project, and the amount of funding requested. No specific application form is necessary.

Pace University Scholarships and Grants: An Overview

Pace University offers a variety of scholarships and grants to support students in financing their education. These awards are forms of gift aid, meaning recipients do not have to repay the funds or earn them through employment. Scholarships are typically available for a maximum of 4 years or until the completion of the first bachelor’s degree. Students enrolled in an approved 5-year combined degree program may receive 20% of their award for the 5th year, provided they are enrolled for at least 12 credits. These awards are applicable only to tuition charges at Pace and may not, in combination with other tuition-specific financial aid, exceed the student’s actual tuition. Renewal is generally automatic, provided the student maintains the minimum cumulative GPA requirement and continuous full-time enrollment for each Fall and Spring term.

Recipients are required to sign an award agreement form electronically through the Financial Aid section of their Pace Portal.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Pace University offers a range of merit-based scholarships to recognize academic achievement and potential. Beginning with the Fall 2026 admission cycle, students admitted to the Sands College of Performing Arts will be considered for institutional scholarships through a holistic review process-distinct from that used for other academic programs at Pace.

Transfer Scholarships

Several scholarships are specifically designed for transfer students:

Alpha Beta Gamma Scholarship: Offers $1,000 per year to incoming transfer students who are members of Alpha Beta Gamma. A letter of recommendation from the student's Chapter Advisor is required, and a cumulative 3.00 QPA is required for renewal.
Phi Theta Kappa Award: Provides $1,000 per year to incoming transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa. Similar to the Alpha Beta Gamma Scholarship, a letter of recommendation from the student's Chapter Advisor is needed, and a cumulative 3.00 QPA is required for renewal.
Community College Partnership Awards: Awarded to students who have graduated from specific Community Colleges with a 2-year Associate’s degree and a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher.

Additional Scholarships and Awards

Legacy Scholarship: Offers $1,000 per year to freshman or transfer students whose mother and/or father graduated from Pace University. Applicants must apply by February 15 (for the Fall semester) or December 1st (for the Spring semester) and indicate on their Admission Application that one or both of their parents are Pace graduates. A cumulative 2.00 QPA is required for renewal.
Sibling Award: Provides $1,000 per year to freshmen who are admitted for Fall 2022 and beyond who currently have a sibling enrolled at Pace University. Applicants must indicate on their Admissions Application that a sibling is currently enrolled. A cumulative 2.00 GPA is required for renewal.
FAFSA Incentive Award: Offers $2,000 per year to new undergraduate students who file their FAFSAs for the upcoming academic year by February 15.
Summer Scholars Award: Provides $3,000 per year to incoming students who have successfully completed Pace University's Summer Scholars Institute while in high school.

Read also: Learning with Lily
Community Service Award: The Office of Admissions nominates students who have demonstrated exemplary community service and who meet specific criteria: Freshman: minimum B high school average and 1080 SAT score; Transfer student: minimum 3.0 average and Financial need. Students must have an undergraduate application for admission on file by February 1st for priority consideration, exhibit financial need (as determined by the FAFSA), and submit an essay or summary of work regarding community service.
Pace Veterans Scholarship: Offers a 50 percent tuition scholarship to veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan and/or Iraq since September 11, 2001. To apply, students must file an application for admission and provide a copy of their DD-214 form with specific designations. Continuing students who have not already received the Veterans scholarship may apply by submitting a copy of their DD-214 to the Veterans Office. The scholarship is available for the Fall and Spring terms until the completion of the first Bachelor's degree program and is applicable only to tuition charges. Renewal is automatic, provided the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress and a cumulative 2.00 QPA.
Students receiving a Pace Veterans Scholarship may not also receive certain other awards, such as the Honor's Scholarship, President's Scholarship, Deans' Scholarship, Pace-WCC Transfer Student Scholarship, Trustee Recognition Award, Transfer Incentive Award, Pace Incentive Award, or Part-Time Student Scholarship or Incentive Award.

Endowed Scholarships

Pace University offers over 300 endowed and restricted scholarships made possible through the generosity of Pace alumni and friends, as well as corporations and foundations. To be eligible, students must be matriculated into a degree program and enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, have a QPA of 3.0 or above, and demonstrate financial need. Students must have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Continuing and Resuming students must also complete the Application for Pace Endowed/Restricted Scholarships. The priority filing date for Endowed Scholarships is June 1st.

Pace Grant

The Pace Grant is available to full-time Undergraduate students matriculated in a degree program at Pace University who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year, be enrolled in at least 12 credits per Fall and Spring semesters, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and a cumulative QPA of at least 2.00. Priority is given to students who file their FAFSA by February 15 each year. The Pace Grant is applicable only towards tuition charges at Pace University for the Fall and Spring semesters and may not, in combination with other tuition-specific financial aid, exceed the student's actual tuition charges.

The Pace Grant awards are subject to change if there is a change in the student's financial need, housing status, or enrollment status.

Tuition Target Grant (TTG)

Undergraduate students who have completed at least 24 credits at Pace (not including transfer credits) and who have a 3.50 cumulative QPA are eligible for a TTG. These awards of $500 per year are restricted to students taking at least 12 credits per Fall and Spring term and are not available for summer terms. TTG is applicable ONLY to tuition charges at Pace and may not, in combination with other tuition-specific financial aid, exceed the student's actual tuition.

Applying to Pace University: Key Steps

To be considered for admission and financial aid, prospective students must complete the Pace University application process. This includes:

Submitting an official high school transcript: Arrange to have your transcript sent to the Application Processing Center.
Providing letters of recommendation: Submit two letters of recommendation from a faculty member, counselor, or someone who knows you well and can describe your academic potential and personal characteristics.
Completing the online application: Ensure that all information requested is answered fully and correctly.
Submitting SAT I or ACT scores (if applicable): Students who have been out of high school for over a year do not need to submit these scores. The SAT I code for the New York City campus is 2635, and the Pleasantville/Briarcliff campus is 2685.
Submitting official college transcripts (if applicable): Send official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and/or proprietary schools attended, whether or not you are seeking transfer credit.

International Applicants

In addition to the above steps, international applicants must:

Submit all official transcripts, diplomas, and leaving examination scores from secondary school and post-secondary institutions in the original language, accompanied by certified English translations.
Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if their native language is not English. A score of no lower than 550 (213 computer-based exam) is suggested. The institution code for Pace University, Pleasantville is 2685.
Demonstrate sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses for at least one year of study in the United States to receive a Form I-20 or DS2019 for obtaining an entry visa.
Provide a letter of support from a sponsoring scholarship program, fellowship program, loan, or grant organization, if applicable.

Visiting Pace University

Prospective students are encouraged to visit Pace, tour the campus, attend classes, and speak with faculty and students. The Admission Counseling staff is available to arrange appointments and answer questions. Open House programs are held each Fall on both campuses, along with weekend information sessions throughout the year.

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