<p>Financial aid and scholarships are separate processes, though both would appear on the final award package. Every applicant is considered for scholarships, but the normal requirements are top 5% and at least a 1400 SAT (1600 scale). I don’t believe Fordham is totally needs blind, but I could be wrong about that. In any event to obtain financial aid, you have to submit the CSS forms and the FAFSA forms. If you have not done so, you must do so IMMEDIATELY. They are online forms. </p>
<p>In general, Fordham’s aid packages are average. Depending also on other factors they can give you grant money and of course a healthy dose of student loans. Its not a cheap school and these are difficult times for everyone. </p>
<p>The ugly truth about scholarships and financial aid is they are not always objectively equitable, meaning everyone with the same income gets the same award. Many other factors come into play, like being a URM, whether they are trying to recruit you (high scores and stats but not quite scholarship level; and/or you come from a school they like). </p>
<p>You must also report any outside scholarship funds you obtain. Many students/parents unfortunately are shocked by the reality they face when their kids get in somewhere, but they can’t afford it. Our society is not always fair. The rich get richer (and all the privileges) and everyone else has to figure out a way to get by. If I were “in charge of the world” (LOL), I would revamp the entire process, because to me, getting into and affording a college education (if you have the stats) is not something that should be determined by your parents income or needs or ability to pay. And people who have the means (I mean the rich, not the middle class) should pay full fare. That goes for scholarships too. I would make ALL scholarships linked to financial need, the opposite of needs blind scholarships. To many people that sounds unfair, but I view it as more fair than the current system, where often times people who get the best scholarships are also the people who need it the least. I have seen this over and over throughout the years. The middle class gets totally screwed. The very poor have some hope…with massive grants, financial aid and URM scholarships (different standards often)…IF THEY HAVE THE SCORES.</p>
<p>But I am in the minority on that view. The elitists say, “give the kids with the highest scores all the money and let everyone else just deal with it.” </p>
<p>As tuition and room/board rise at every school (both public and private), the burden becomes almost unbearable. Then people are pushed down the ladder to save money. So for some people, they must choose a lower tier state school or community college for two years, then transfer up. But is that just and fair? Not in my eyes its not. </p>
<p>Scholarships are primarily based on the SAT and we all know what a crock of crap that is. SAT doesnt measure success in college, nor intelligence. It measures a specific skill on a specific day for a specific test. Its completely bogus. But it is what it is. </p>
<p>I hope you get what you are looking for. But be prepared for a bunch of loans or having to choose another school.</p>
<p>Its a great school and if you can afford it, that is great.</p>
We don’t qualify for need based aid so it’s all about the grants/scholarships. Still waiting to get NYU’s package but S is 99% attending Fordham!!!</p>