<p>Sadly, we are a gap family…I’m a reading specialist and my husband is an IT consultant. Puts us in the top tax bracket, but our EFC was about a third of our combined salary. We’ve saved well for our three children’s college funds, but coming out of college with 100K in debt is just not financially responsible. According to Fordham’s financial worksheet, total cost with increase in tuition factored in is over $250K. I tend to be the one with the prestige baggage…had a little when my kids applied to the Catholic high schools where I live (VA/DC). But not about money…about reputation, etc. and the Jesuit education has been valued in my family for a few generations. I don’t mind paying for something good. My D actually tends to be more practical.
My husband and I both attended a state school, which is now one of the top ranked schools in the nation and nearly impossible for in-state kids to get into. It’s quite a quandary…great state school, but my kid can’t get in; great private schools, but can’t afford them. I’m so proud that my daughter got in to Fordham…I know students with higher scores and GPAs were waitlisted. But she’s pretty unique and I know will do well anywhere. We’ll run the numbers again and I’ll await her final impressions from tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and thoughts!</p>
<p>They said they are STILL reviewing my financial aid. I doubt we will get alot. I think we are going to deposit at another school.</p>
<p>Sovereign: Not qualifying for need based aid and actually being able to pay full freight are very different things. A salary over $250,000 may sound high, but living in the NY Metro area – trust me – it doesn’t go far. We have a modest house built in the 70s; 2 cars that are over 6 years old; and usually vacation at the Jersey shore. There is no way we could pay for 3 kids’ educations at full private school price – or even one – at our income level. We live in a town where some people make 2 or three times what my husband does, and all of them seem to look for merit aid. For our EFC to be almost $76,000 is such a laugh, when I haven’t had new clothes for myself in ages, in order to save for college. I am also 56 years old with a 12 year old still to educate. I only mention Sarah Lawrence because they have a reputation for not giving purely merit aid…so it was an honor for my D to get their Dean’s Scholarship.</p>
<p>My3 and KT: Okay…thanks for clarifying. And yes, its a huge honor to be admitted to Fordham especially these days with over 35,000 applicants. Its a wonderful school.</p>
<p>Taking on debt is problematic. I totally agree. I wish I could offer better advice for you. We spent a fortune at Fordham. My kid had some student loans…but in the national norm, not more.</p>
<p>State colleges have sports and school spirit…and their courses and programs often not as good as advertised. Seen it a hundred times down here, south of Northern Virginia. </p>
<p>We love Fordham dearly. There were issues and we had several “prayer meetings” with financial aid and others over four years…but oh the academics and programs and professors…graduation was as emotional as moving in day…everyone crying…deans hugging my kid goodbye…very hard to get that last load of clothes, go outside the gates and say goodbye forever. But we are so glad we picked Fordham.</p>
<p>If however, the offer at Sarah Lawrence is what you choose to accept, then I tip my hat, no hard feelings and wish you all the very very best. But before you do that, take their offer and SHOW FORDHAM…and see if they can improve your award.</p>
<p>FAFSA is a joke, I agree. Its disgusting. And the fact that scholarships are based solely on SAT scores infuriates me as some kids are brilliant but analyze differently while others memorize and regurgitate and do well on standardized testing. It is what it is.</p>
<p>I want to help both of you but now comes the hard part of working through the offers. We did that in 07 and it was stressful, tearful and anguish filled. Then dropping off our kid move in day in September and driving across the GW Bridge on the way home, it was awful…everyone crying. LOL. But it all ended so well. Fordham IS special. </p>
<p>All I can do is be there for answers on the campus and perhaps some professors and the overall experience. A supportive voice and friend. But I totally get that some folks sadly have to make other choices, hard choices. </p>
<p>God Bless.</p>
<p>Did anyone else not get their financial aid packet yet? We had to resubmit a few forms but even on my portal nothing related to financial aid shows up except that they have received and approved my forms</p>
<p>Have gotten nothing from them.</p>
<p>Nothing yet for us either. They didn’t notice that the original package mailed back had all the required forms, and didn’t update the portal info until we called them after acceptance to mark them as submitted. </p>
<p>Our kid has a near full-ride deal from another private school, but Fordham would really be the preferred choice. Now I’m concerned that the delay caused by their clerical error is going to result in a lower package offer than it might have been, which would be a really crappy reason to have to take a pass on their acceptance.</p>
<p>Our daughter got a great financial aid package, almost 32, 000 in merit. She has not visited Rose Hill, and we will be there on Sunday at the accepted student open house. Fordham is the only school she has applied to that gives merit aid and our financial aid packages at her other accepted schools are very much lower. She is a kid with a 4.0, a 34 ACT, all 5’s on her AP tests and tons of great E.C.'s. The reason I bring that up is that she is determined to go to one of these more “prestigious” schools, even though it means taking out some loans. Has anyone been in a similar situation? This kid is not a snob by any means, but for some reason the “name” of the college she attends is critical to her. BTW, we know Fordham is a great school.</p>
<p>We are facing the same dilemma. S was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Fordham University but was also admitted to Georgetown. He is blown away by the prestige of Georgetown even though it will be much more expensive to go there. I am trying to convince him to accept Fordham’s offer.</p>
<p>Visiting Fordham often helps. Fr. McShane gives a great speech and is very accessible at the reception afterwards (Accepted Student Orientation weekend coming up).</p>
<p>@omzac, @epp, Congratulations on having brilliant and hard working children!! I’ve been in your shoes (sort of). 2 yrs ago my son was accepted to Fordham, Carleton, Williams, Bowdoin, Brandeis, Georgetown, Berkeley (and a few more). The lowest financial aid was Georgetown (except for our state school of Berkeley who offered a whopping $0 in aid). </p>
<p>Fast forward two years and my son is thriving at Georgetown, and I have a lot of debt (the Fed Gov has colleges push the debt on parents now, guess they figure they are more likely to get paid back). I wouldn’t change a thing, as for my son only GU could have given him the combination of environment, education, network, alum and many other intangibles that were a perfect fit for him. </p>
<p>There are many deeply personal decisions to be made by you and your children. In the end, Fordham is a better school for some students than GU (or Harvard, Yale, Penn or anywhere else). It depends on your child and best fit for their needs (ie it’s an extremely complex decision no one on a chat board can answer). </p>
<p>One word of advice for what it’s worth, if I may be so bold. Both of your children are bright, or they wouldn’t have these options. Let them make the decision as they will live with it the rest of their lives and they are smart enough to figure out the right option for them. Talk with them as adults, discuss facts and pro’s and con’s. Avoid laying a guilt trip on them over the money difference (not that you have done so or would do so, but just in case)…</p>
<p>I wish you and your children the best of luck. Make a decision, then don’t look back or second guess.</p>
<p>Thank you sandad for your thoughtful reply. S is visiting Georgetown and Fordham this weekend. We should have a decision soon. I will be so relieved when this is all over. Continued success to your son In Georgetown!</p>
<p>Still never received a package from them.</p>
<p>GCMom…I am sorry…but this is becoming a broken record and I am starting to suspect your story is inaccurate. It makes zero sense, and anyone I know who has called Fordham received a package.</p>
<p>sandad is correct. It is very complex and that involves finances, vibe, personal objectives, programs, professors, geography, on and on. Its subjective. </p>
<p>Visiting is key. And another salient point, within the context of the checkbook, the student ultimately should decide as they are the ones who have to live with it, and its their first foray into adult decision making. </p>
<p>Some may take on the debt, and others decide to go with the best package. </p>
<p>Nobody here can decide for anyone (nor should they.) We can only answer questions, be supportive and encouraging and wish them the best of luck.</p>
<p>And yes, once decided, then buy the gear and look forwards.</p>
<p>omzac, sandad~similar situation here. DS is drawn to the school offering much less in scholarship funding but his gut just calls him there. he was admitted to several strong schools (NOT HYPS strong) and the range of what it will cost us out of pocket is $8,000/year to $26,000/year. His top two choices are $13,000 apart. He offers to take out student loans on the difference to pay for his own education. Haven’t wanted to take on debt but maybe we have to let him if we are to let him make the choice…</p>
<p>@GCMom You are not alone…I have called several times with no package available yet. They said within the next 24 to 48 hours yesterday evening so let us hope soon our patience will be rewarded.</p>
<p>@madamedefarge thanks for posting. Im glad we are not alone. I have called several times and they have had all my materials for quite a while. Im just disappointed that we never received one.</p>
<p>I received the FA package a few days back but they gave me no additional merit aid. I have since withdrawing from Fordham. Anyway, I would be out of place there. I’m not Catholic.</p>
<p>well if you are genuine and didnt get one and its now almost April 15, I am stunned. I take both of you at your word, then. My apologies. But its never happened before that I was aware of. Not sure what is going on or holding it up.</p>