<p>Sovereign,
Would you provide some information on these departmental scholarships? Are they available to incoming students?</p>
<p>The ones I am aware of generally are for honors programs in departments, such as communications and theology etc. They are generally smallish, though one journalism scholarship is full tuition but given to an upper classman. These are generally related to performance and on faculty recommendation: stars of the departments. But they help. </p>
<p>There is also a small band/orchestra stipend (1,500?). </p>
<p>But no, these are generally not offered to freshmen. The Freshman Honors program is separate of course and you have to ask people what scholarships they get with that…but those kids are generally already above 1400 SATs and qualified for big scholarships regardless. What I was discussing was program honors, in theology like Curran Center, and one in Communications Honors. There are likely others. The Bulletin might expound upon all that. If you have an intended major, then look in that department and see if they have an Honors program there (generally for those above cum 3.5 gpa after core) and if that comes with any small scholarship. Every little bit helps. It irks me beyond belief that the cost of a college education is skyrocketing and causing so much stress to middle class families. The rich dont care and simply write the checks. The poor have federal resources (though they are mostly pell grants and may not cover the gap at Fordham). The middle class gets burned and has to fund with student loans. Deplorable.</p>
<p>Thank you, Sovereign. You are impeccably helpful. :)</p>
<p>I received the full-tuition NMSF scholarship, and will be preferring Fordham regardless of my RD results. Do you know if the honors program is indeed expanding this year?</p>
<p>Re. NMSF scholarship-DS is a SF but did not receive the scholarship. He’s not in top 10%, but top 15% of private HS that only accepts 25% of applicants. Does the ranking eliminate him from consideration or should he have a conversation with his admissions counselor?</p>
<p>Junior mint: I really hope that the honors program is expanding. I also received the Semifinalist scholarship and it would be very disappointing if they don’t invite big scholarship recipients to the honors program.</p>
<p>Adpetrin, I don’t see how it could hurt for your son to ask the admissions counselor to reconsider.</p>
<p>Well, last year the requirement was top 10% rank for the NMSF scholarship. This year there does not appear to be a requirement, but they do indicate that most full-tuition recipients have a top 5% rank.I don’t even have a rank. Because of the nature of your school, you could ask them to reconsider though.</p>
<p>jj1119, I hope so too. I doubt I will be invited since I did not receive the Experience Fordham invite.</p>
<p>Thanks. I definitely thought it would be worth a call too.</p>
<p>@JuniorMint, I think I remember seeing you comment on the Barnard ED Results page… or am I just imagining that? Curious because I applied to both Barnard and Fordham early and I remember seeing your username somewhere (other than this forum). If not, nevermind.</p>
<p>Junior Mint: I dont know what Dr. Nasuti is planning or what Fordham will allow vis a vis number of Freshmen Honors Program invitees. Its a wonderful program, very challenging and rewarding. In the event you are not offered, fear not. My kid had friends in Queens Court freshmen year who were both Honors Program students and some who were not-and had 1600 SATs. Its a huge commitment. Many departments, as I stated earlier have their own Honors program by invitation of faculty. In Cursu Honoris on your diploma (and read from the podium on graduation day) is powerful stuff. </p>
<p>Congrats on your performance and scholarship. Its a tough decision come April when all is said and done and prestige is a powerful elixir. We all hope you select Fordham and you wont be disappointed if you do. If not, God’s speed.</p>
<p>@jj and JuniorMint: Fret not, for we’re all in the same boat with the same questions! I think the people who received an invitation to visit were targeted to increase geographic and intellectual diversity, and I’m not sure what the board’s criteria were- or if there even were criteria.</p>
<p>I got my Personalized Information Packet today and recieved a little less than half of the full cost of attendance in scholarship and grants. Is the info in this packet only merit-based? Because I was expecting a little more need-based aid.</p>
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<p>Well, I might have been drunk-commenting again, but I am sadly, quite male, despite the girly username. I wish you luck with Barnard though!</p>
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<p>Thank you again, sovereign. I have talked to Dr. Nasuti about doing pre-med in the honors program and he advised me to write a note of interest to the board, which I did. I only hope that I will be in the running because I have no hooks and apparently missed out on the Experience Fordham invite. :(</p>
<p>We talked a few months ago about comparing Northeastern and Fordham and I really appreciate your advice on that issue. I have full-tuition at both and honors at Northeastern, but I would much rather be invited to Fordham’s. :)</p>
<p>Oh, and thanks for the encouragement, mongo!</p>
<p>Lolololololol Northeastern’s “honors program”…</p>
<p>Top ten percent baby. 
Sooo selective…</p>
<p>Has anyone gotten a decent award package?</p>
<p>So for the National Merit Scholarship, do we have to designate Fordham as our top-choice to NMSC by a specific date or at all?</p>
<p>Thank you for any help!</p>
<p>Actually, Fordham’s NMSF scholarship isn’t contingent on your selecting them as your “first choice.” So if-and-when you do do that, the $1000 NM stipend is half gravy; the university deducts half the scholarship amount from your tuition award (as they do for all outside scholarships of which they’re aware) but cuts a $500 check for the rest and puts it in your P.O. Box. It can cover your spending for most of the fall semester, which is nice.</p>
<p>The deadline would then be the date listed on your NM papers. As long as Evanston ends up with your correct first choice by that date, you should be good to go with the stipend.</p>
<p>I received my personalized information packet and I only got $9,400 in grants and scholarships. Somehow they want my parents and I to pay over $53,000 a year. I really don’t understand where they got that number. There is no way I would ever take out that much in loans. </p>
<p>BUT</p>
<p>I feel like Fordham is where my future will be brightest. I’m looking to double major in Marketing and Finance and what better place to be than New York? Right? </p>
<p>If I appeal how much more do you think I will get? Should I just take out loans?</p>
<p>I’m wondering if telling Fordham that another school has given a more substantial grant/scholarhip package would provide any leverage. Do you have another offer that’s better?</p>