<p>Alright so I'm going to be a freshmen at Fordham this coming fall, I'm super excited. It's really unfortunate that my mother isn't....mostly because of it's seemingly ever-increasing cost. She's really quite unhappy that I chose it, but it felt so much like home to me, I didn't want to settle for a cheaper and less perfect fit, even though that contradicts my generally avaricious nature....basically, I'm wondering</p>
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<li><p>would a very good GPA freshmen year yield a better scholarship the following year? Or can I only maintain the...I believe, tiny 8000 ( ? around there) scholarship I received for academic achievement already. [Yes, I do think I should have worked harder in high school at this point D: ]</p></li>
<li><p>do you know if other cheaper schools in the nyc area would accept the freshmen year credits if I transferred out? D: I really wouldn't want to, but if my family simply can't afford it, which, in two years, is highly likely, then, I really don't have a choice :[ I can't drive them further into debt just because this is the choice I made, though ultimately it is MY debt.</p></li>
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<p>I don’t know other people’s experiences, but my S’s scholarship has remained the same every year and he has done very well at Fordham (sorry, not what you wanted to hear). Perhaps consider taking a part-time job to help your family with the cost of school. As to your other question, I feel certain that Fordham credits would be accepted by other colleges without a problem-- hopefully it won’t come to that. I hope that Fordham is everything you are hoping for.</p>
<p>Loans are a part of most students’ overall financial package, for those on financial aid. The question is how much debt you/parents are willing to shoulder. You will get a bunch of opinions on that, and depending on if you are also intending on going to graduate or professional school, it is not very wise to load up on debt for undergraduate studies. But the national average is around 20k for 4 years. Not excessive, but not small. Its an investment in your future.</p>
<p>Many colleges spread their scholarships around instead of loading up on a few brilliant kids. The best way to get a full ride is to go to a lower tier school…good but not top tier and they will often pave the road in gold. </p>
<p>8k in scholarships is not tiny. Over 4 years that is 32,000.00. </p>
<p>Submit a FAFSA and they can evaluate your complete need and sometimes they can help you with a grant, but most often its loans. That is a personal decision you and your family must make. Finances are a big part on selecting the best college for you, not just academic rankings.</p>
<p>Sorry to say it, but I don’t think you should come to Fordham thinking that the cost might go DOWN year to year. The reality is that it will go UP. And in the end it will cost you more than you think because it’s just too hard to predict all those little fees that add up…lab fees, technology fees, communication fees, general fees not to mention books, entertainment, etc. My S’s scholarship has also remained unchanged despite a stellar academic performance.</p>
<p>One suggestion for cutting costs, at least during your freshman year, is to volunteer for a triple. It can save you almost $4k. You might also try speaking with a FA counselor again to see if there is any additional scholarship money available. Last year, I recall that one person who had enrolled and decided to withdraw due to finances was given a near full ride through a private scholarship that had gone unclaimed.</p>
<p>I am sure that other NYC schools will accept Fordham credits but I would hope for your sake that it doesn’t come to that. Having to pay back loans from a school that you transferred out of due to finances would not be a great start IMO! </p>
<p>Good luck, desiderium. I hope it works out for you!</p>
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