Hi guys. I’m a national merit finalist, and while I originally listed USC as my first choice, the minute I found out I didn’t get in and that Fordham (to which I was already admitted) offers full tuition for NMF, I switched my first choice to Fordham (Lincoln Center). I applied regular decision, received around 27k a year but tuition’s still quite a bit for my family.
My question is: when will I know if I’ve received the Fordham National Merit scholarship (or not)? I’m kind of banking on the full tuition.
I’ve already accepted a corporate National Merit scholarship through my dad’s employment. I called NM and they told me I should also be able to accept a “college scholarship.” However, I’ve seen varying answers as to when recipients of the Fordham NM package have been informed…some say “at time of admission,” but I called admissions (not fin aid) and the lady said they would be sending out offers beginning of April.
So, has anyone had any experience with being NM and getting or not getting the full tuition from Fordham? When do offers come out - or should I have received one already? How do I know if I fit Fordham’s qualities - specifically, “top 2-3% of admitted applicants”??? (34 ACT, 3.85 UW, 4.32 W, NM, strong leadership and involvement in community service for all of HS, but I did have a C on my report card last sem. of junior year…)
Please let me know, worrying about this lowkey kept me up all night. Thanks.
Hi, I am a National Merit Scholarship recipient. I got the 4 years tuition and fees covered at Fordham University. My offer came in at the same time as my acceptance letter. I recommend you contact the office of Undergraduate Financial Aid at the school. Explain your situation. They would be the best source of information regarding any financial matters.
update: talked to fin aid again yesterday. Apparently the first lady who talked to me gave me wrong info. The national merit scholarship is assigned at time of admission, now that I don’t have that in my pocket I don’t know what I’ll do…I’ll try to appeal financial aid but pray for me
@arizona726 started my fin aid appeal today. I called and they sent an email to start the process. However they’re very backed up and she said they’re hoping to get answers out by May 1st. I made sure to get the form in today, now all we can do is hope. Just wanted to give you a heads up about the wait time.
@cllp2023@collegeadmiss I have a bad feeling it’s going to take too long. I’m submitting and I’m going to email the VP or someone to expedite the process. Honestly, I am 99% committed to NYU now and will only attend Fordham if they give me a full ride or something. (They won’t.) Let me know if you hear back, though.
@arizona726 I agree that it will probably take until after the deadline and with the cost, it’s too much of a gamble especially with the expected rise in tuition over the next 4 years. My D has a full ride to the university of Pgh so she’ll probably end up there but she’s still taking her good old time deciding (and I’m slowly losing my sanity) ?
My son was a recent graduate of Fordham. Merit aid was the same all 4 years while the cost of housing and tuition went up yearly. Started at $47k freshman year and graduated in 4 years at $62,500. Of course we didn’t know that going in and each year we scrambled to make ends meet. Some how we figured it out. With the CSS profile, schools know to the penny how much they can squeeze out of you. LOL Wouldn’t change a thing as he had 2 great internships and multiple job offers prior to graduating, while having a great time socially. I’ve said in several other posts, there is only 1 New York City and nothing else even comes close.
Just wanted to let you guys know that they have already answered my appeal. They didn’t give my D any additional aid, it was worth a shot! I started my appeal on 4/2. @arizona726
@collegeadmiss an email that stated she wasn’t offered anything else. Didn’t tell us to check the portal or anything. It may be different if you do receive more.
Received email today that S received additional aid. Appealed on 4/8. Received the E. Gerald Corrigan academic scholarship for an additional $6500 per year. Better than nothing and we are very grateful, but was hoping for more with S’s NHRP distinction.
@collegeadmiss same thing with my daughter, she is an NHRP recipient but they didn’t give her the Semifinalist award. They gave her a nice package but it definitely was not enough compared to other universities packages. Oh well, we did like Fordham alot