<p>sandkmom:</p>
<p>It is you, “dear”, who is personalizing this consistently. You don’t like me. I get that. Whatever. I don’t really care. </p>
<p>Your son got a scholarship. I congratulated you and your son on the award. You also posted his stats. </p>
<p>And no, its not just about me. Its really about the constant refrain I have heard from many sources on the problems at Fordham financial aid and the inconsistencies in their scholarship awards (students with similar stats or even sometimes better getting less or even sometimes nothing at all.) </p>
<p>Happy1: I am well aware that the donors of scholarship money can direct how those funds are spent. My position was clearly stated, that in a perfect world (which I freely admit we don’t live in), it would be evenly distributed with objective criteria. I am not speaking of monies that are earmarked just for Gabelli or just for FCLC or just for FCRH. I am talking about ethnic issues, parents employer issues, alumni from certain high schools etc. </p>
<p>My main point, is that financial aid is not one of Fordham’s strong points as evidenced by data publicly published and the ratings of institutions that garner such information, showing Fordham routinely ranks in the bottom quartile of meeting the financial needs of students. Nor did I state Fordham is alone in its situation, or policies (financial aid or scholarship funds.) </p>
<p>azmom can be offended all she wants. Its not a socialist economy and she can certainly differ in her opinion of how funds should be distributed (and if her kid got a scholarship for merit aid, good for them). But that doesnt change the fact that people of wealth have the means to pay for an education at Fordham, many without even blinking an eye, while many middle income families are struggling.</p>
<p>What Fordham does about determining “need” is apart from FAFSA. Fordham has its own methods of determining what they think you should pay. For example, FAFSA may give you an EFC of 15,000 a year. Some parents say, good…I can do that. And then Fordham may say, well…your package is thus and so and your net balance is 35,000 and anything is you must get from a plus loan! In fact, at the accepted student orientation in the spring they will PUSH Plus Loans. FACT. </p>
<p>Fordham’s endowment is not what the Ivy League has or some elite colleges. But its actually fairly healthy and they have substantially recovered most of what they lost in the financial meltdown. </p>
<p>Nor did I state that I should set Fordham policy, I was stating an opinion. </p>
<p>But I steadfastly refuse to shill for Fordham and MISLEAD students into thinking they will all get what they infer from what FAFSA indicates they qualify for (net of their EFC; FAFSA doesnt tell you what you will get, only what they say your family should contribute)</p>
<p>Now I am sorry for losing my temper. I disagree with azmom. I disagree with sandkmom. And I reject what FordhamAlum says and infers to me. </p>
<p>But the bottom line is students need to know that there will be some who get what they want/need and many who don’t and there are a lot of inconsistencies. We have heard the stories over and over in the dorms for four years. Some are heartbreaking. Some are infuriating. And many are scratching their heads. </p>
<p>I know Fordham is not Goldman Sachs with an unlimited ability to fund every student who demonstrates need at 100%. (Though many schools do commit to meet 100% of the demonstrated need of every student.) </p>
<p>Its amazing the vitriol this thread presents: when all I was asking for was fairness, objective standards that are consistently applied to everyone without regard to special interests or factors. </p>
<p>If Fordham posted their objective criteria for scholarships, such as the Loyola, Deans and Jogues, or simply stated that the SAT scores are the primary determinant of who gets scholarships (and they are) and what scores need to be, it would help people determine up front what to do.</p>
<p>Fordham’s tuition has risen 10,000 per year, in the last five years. They are not alone. But their room and board has also risen to over 13,000 a year, making Fordham one of the most expensive colleges in the country to well over 50k a year. </p>
<p>If Fordham published objective standards and stuck by them, whatever they are, then I would be less vocal about this. Its the inconsistencies that bother me. </p>
<p>(nor did I suggest that Fordham is all alone in being inconsistent). </p>
<p>90% of the time I am one of Fordham’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters. (I am certain the Development Office will continue to solicit funds from me well after I am dead and gone!) But on this issue, I am a strong critic. (I don’t even criticize their admissions decisions really…because I know every school makes quirky decisions…kids with lower scores get in while kids with higher stats sometimes get hammered). </p>
<p>and for the record azmom: I am not a socialist nor a liberal. I just think the SAT is a poor measure of hard work for high school kids, or what they bring to the table, let alone who should get money and who shouldn’t. 50 points on the SAT is really very few questions in the scheme of things. And please don’t speak for me or apologize for me. That is offensive. </p>
<p>Have a nice day.</p>