I got accepted to Fordham LC early action and was offered some financial aid, but not enough for me to live on campus (if I attend I would be commuting). I received about $15k in scholarships and we are trying to start the appeal process.
Any tips/ information that anyone could provide? What forms do we have to fill out?
Thanks so much, any information helps a ton!! 
What is the reason for appeal? Is the aid lower than the NPC? Any recent change in family financial situation? Are you admitted by another school in the same tier that offer better aid or has lower cost? There must be a reason to convince them to give you more aid.
Is that a merit award? If so, they might not care at all what other schools gave you.
Are you from NYC? Do you qualify for the Excelsior scholarship at the SUNY schools? Or is your income too high? Did you apply to any SUNY schools?
Agree with poster above…what is your reason for requesting reconsideration of your aid award?
Provide competing school offer, you will get something, but not all that you want.
@billcsho @thumper1 COA was about $75k and they brought it down to meet our EFC of $60k, but 60k is still unreasonable for my parents’ to afford, support my younger brother, and for me to not graduate with 200k in debt.We are also waiting to see what other schools are giving us, however I applied to mostly big state schools so chances are we are not getting any money from them. I know we are probably not getting anything extra, we just wanted to try
@thumper1 I am from northern NJ, so I cannot qualify for any NYC/ NY scholarships they may offer
If your EFC is $60,000 and Fordham met your need…then don’t count on getting more aid from the school.
I hate to,say it…but you applied to a $70,000 college…that is NOT affordable for your family. Most schools will expect them to pay their EFC. The schools do NOT give need based aid to cover the EFC. The family is expected to pay that amount.
If that is your EFC…unless you get some merit aid someplace…you won’t be reducing your costs to attend college from college issued or federal money.
You can take a $5500 Loan…but that’s a drop in the bucket for a $70,000 a year college.
Did you expect to receive need based aid? Or more merit aid?
Any chance you applied to an affordable instate public university?
I saw you also applied to Penn State. That’s NOT going to be a bargain for an OOS student. The COA at Penn State is about $51,500 a year for OOS students. With an EFC of $60,000 you won’t be receiving need based aid…at all.
ETA…I could be off…but if your EFC is really $60,000…then your parent annual income is in the $200,000 a year range…or close to it. What CAN your parents pay for you to attend college per year? And did you apply to colleges within that price point?
@thumper1 I should have clarified in my post, we are looking for merit aid. We know we aren’t getting anymore need based aid. My grades have drastically increased my senior year, and we are hoping that might help us get a couple thousand more.
Yes, PSU is another reach we know we won’t get anything from them either. I also applied to UF (about $43k) that is feasible. Fordham is also feasible if I were to commute, I just wanted to appeal to see if there was any possibility of me living on campus. If not, I will commute.
Fordham met 100% of your demonstrated need. Unless the aid they gave you is a merit scholarship, it may change if your housing plans change (which means if they packaged your aid based on you living on campus, they may lower it if you decide to commute)
something that they are do not usually do. Your family will be among many who cannot afford the EFC. Hopefully you have some financially feasible options on your list.
How much did your parents tell you that they can reasonable afford to pay?
@sybbie719 I only got need-based aid, no merit and my package does not include housing. We were hoping they would lower it if we told them I would commute. My parents said about $40k is reasonable, which would be what Fordham would end up if I do commute. we just hope they lower it a couple thousand so that it would offset some of the transportation costs we would have
In Nov. you said you have a 92.9 weighted GPA. I don’t think you’ll qualify for much merit aid. If you change from dorming to commuting your need will be lower, so your aid might be reduced.
We’re you accepted to any affordable schools?
@austinmshauri GPA is now 93.7 would that help the process at all? Yes, I was accepted to others that are more affordable, Fordham is top however. It is the only school with the program I want so I am really hoping I can attend
What is this special program that ONLY Fordham offers? Come on…it’s $70,000 a year to go there. I find it very hard to believe that this special major isn’t offered at any number of affordable colleges.
As noted…if you do NOT live on campus, your need based aid will likely be reduced. Actually…you might get NO need based aid at all if you commute…because the cost of tuition alone isn’t $60,000 which is your EFC.
your package was based in housing if the cost of attendance is 75k.
Tuition and fees are $48, 850. Direct expenses are $69, 159. total COA is $73,324.
If your EFC is 60k, you will end up losing this 15k if you are not living on campus because you will no longer have a financial need.
What is you anticipated major that “can only be done” at Fordham? While it may be the only program you want, it is not one that is financially feasible for your family. So you may need to adjust your expectations.
Are you still interested in marketing and media? Other schools probably have good programs too. As long as you have safeties, it doesn’t hurt to talk to Fordham, but try to find something to love about your other schools just in case.
Tuition and fees are $48500 or so. Your EFC is $60,000. You won’t be receiving ANY need based aid as a commuter because the tuition costs are LESS than your EFC.
@austinmshauri thanks so much for your help! we will definitely still talk to them in the ~slim~ hopes that something will happen if not, it’s not the end of the world!
Yes, you probably need to move forward and pick another school with lower cost. It does not seem you have a valid reason for appeal. Many family cannot afford the EFC due to various reasons. Quite often, that is due personal choices. Schools are not likely to throw in more money in the package for that or everybody would request for more aids.
My grades have drastically increased my senior year, and we are hoping that might help us get a couple thousand more. <<<
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Your cum GPA went up by a small amount. Fordham is not going to give more money based on that. Their award was likely based on your ACT/SAT score. What were those?
How much will your parents pay each year? Where else did you apply?
How much will it cost you each year to commute??
What is your major and career goal?
If your EFC is 60k, you will end up losing this 15k if you are not living on campus because you will no longer have a financial need.
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@sybbie719 It sounds like the award was a merit scholarship towards tuition. But the Student needs to check to see if living on campus is req’d to receive it.