<p>mom…that depends. The dirty secret, as you well know, in college admissions (aside from the sat games they play) is the financial aid/scholarships they give out vary greatly depending on how bad they want you.</p>
<p>More than 90% of Fordham students get aid. That means its an institutional policy to spread it out to more people, and perhaps people get less than expected. Fordham also likely feels that investing in your future is a worthy investment and that the salaries you will earn when you graduate, particularly in NYC, will more than offset any loans you earn. I’m not saying I agree with that view, only that it likely exists.</p>
<p>Parents and students, every year, have to determine and decide if they will pick private versus state school and its often a question of money. We are of the view in this family, that paying out of state tuition for a state school does not make much sense, unless there is a compelling reason for a particular program or a scholarship offer or honors college offer. Otherwise, you should just pick a state flagship and save the money. But private colleges often give generous aid and that puts a significant dent in the differential between private and public colleges. Endowments also make a difference. </p>
<p>From anecdotal comments, I can tell you that Fordham aid is not stellar, but its not hideous either. They can be sticklers for upper middle income families. There is no guarantee at any college they will meet 100% of your needs. If they only admitted people with high needs, they would be discounting their entire tuition and costs to a point of losing money. </p>
<p>However, I always advise students to look CLOSELY at match and safety schools because they will likely grant you more aid because they want you. </p>
<p>Someone at Fordham below the 1400 SAT ordinary threshold for scholarship money, but high in the pool…say a 1350, may well get a reasonable amount of grant money, that proximates what they may have gotten on scholarship anyway. Thus, its only prestige and filing FAFSA. </p>
<p>Every family must look at their kids, which ones are the most academically promising and where they think they can afford to send them, versus where they may get the most scholarship or grant money etc. </p>
<p>But to say that Fordham doesnt give out good financial aid is a bit disingenuous. They also have to factor in how many kids will likely accept their offers of admission and how many will blow them off and go elsewhere and how badly Fordham wants to recruit kids with stats in the upper range of the pool or with attributes and qualities they want in the student body. </p>
<p>Financial aid and scholarships are not fair and totally scientifically objective. At any college. There is a great deal of leeway.</p>
<p>All people can do is apply for admission, apply for aid and compare packages and go with the best fit and financial package for them.</p>
<p>If you truly need a LOT of financial assistance, your FAFSA would well indicate that, it seems to me. And there is also the approach of looking at low second tier or high third tier schools who might be more generous. Canisius, LeMoyne, St. Bonaventure, St. Francis, Siena and schools like that. Fordham is a top tier Jesuit college. </p>
<p>It would be wonderful if there was a completely objective and fair system in place. Like people paying what they can afford, without regard to race, religion, private or public high school, SAT scores, legacy, and family income. Truth is, its anything BUT objective and fair. Scholarships often go to families with oodles of money, minorities get scholarships or more financial aid with SAT scores well below what others get because they are under represented and the schools want to recruit them. The middle class gets hosed. </p>
<p>I have my own personal views on the entire scholarship process, including athletics, and its not a majority view…but that is how I feel.</p>