<p>My daughter’s acceptance letter had also said a $10,000 merit award. I was not planning on filling out the FAFSA and had checked off no to financial aid on the common ap. But, since they required it, I did the FAFSA over the phone with one of the Fordham reps (they make it very easy). Then my daughter got her formal finaid packagein the mail from Fordham - the merit aid is now $14,000 a year (not $10) and of course we don’t qualify for any financial aid (our EFC is huge). Also, note that the package indicated a price tag of $61,000 a year in fees, tuition, room board etc.!!</p>
<p>Does Fordham send everyone’s financial aid package at different times? We haven’t received anything from them. We did check the website last night and they haven’t received the FAFSA information yet so maybe that’s why. If they do it over the phone with you they can access it. In our case they have to wait until it is actually reported. Is it worth calling to find out if he is going to receive any other merit aid?</p>
<p>First, I dont think Fordham’s all in price tag is 61k. Its more like low to mid 50’s. So not sure where that number is coming from. And there are ways to make it less expensive, such as not picking the three meals a day plan, as many students only eat 2 meals a day anyway. Also, not asking for a single room. Triples aren’t that bad and can save money. And travel can be cheaper with more disciplined travel times and such. Plus students will work in the summer and many work over Christmas break to make money. Been there, done that.</p>
<p>Financial aid at Fordham is a bit quirky. First, while every applicant is screened for scholarship potential, they are not really needs blind and thus require a FAFSA from everyone if you accept the scholarship. (I’m fairly certain that is the policy.) Reason? They are truly trying to extend the best offers to those who qualify academically, but who also need the money. There is also a pool of money for kids who went to catholic schools and Jesuit prep schools. Those are like restricted funds. So yes, kids from public schools have a different paradigm in general. (Though public school kids do get big scholarships). Fordham is also fairly generous with grant money which they use liberally with people who are just short of the 1400 SAT scholarship redline, so if you submit the FAFSA and CSS early, you may well get grant money. And of course the ubiquitous federal student loans. New York State residents also have funds available from the state as well. Fordham recognizes the cost is getting prohibitive for many highly qualified and highly desirable applicants and is doing what they can to assist. But in the end, its a very expensive school in a very expensive city. They also know that their graduates often get very high paying jobs when they graduate. (Not all of course, but many do.) In short, each student/family must decide what to do with their offers and make the best decision for them. You may appeal your offers. The EA offers are often a preliminary based on the CSS only and the final full offer will come in a bit later as the RD pool is announced. So be patient. Its a thankless task in Admissions/Financial Aid, and Fordham has seen an increase of applications from under 18,000 a year to over 34,000. They have essentially doubled. </p>
<p>Longer term, Fordham is working very hard to become a Top 25 school, according to their 2016 plan and statements from the Provost. They intend on becoming extremely selective in admissions going forward. Fewer acceptances (under 40%) and a higher yield. Aiming very high indeed. Your degree will be worth more in the coming years!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>From my daughter’s estimated student aid notification from Fordham:</p>
<p>Fordham’s Published Cost of Attendance:</p>
<p>Tuition $41,735
Book & Supplies $975
Room and Board $15,375
Other $3,870
Total Costs $61,955</p>
<p>It does not indicate what plans, room types, specific supplies are included in this number. </p>
<p>This seemed very high to me also - who thought the bottom line would be in the 50’s not 60’s</p>
<p>And they required both FAFSA and CSS to secure the merit scholarship monies.</p>
<p>Is that for Lincoln Center or Rose Hill? Seems high to me.</p>
<p>Tuition has gone up. So has room/board. “Other expenses” can be minimized…and in fact it is for most students who find inexpensive ways to entertain themselves when they are not doing their work and writing papers. </p>
<p>Fordham is very expensive. But they are not alone. Frankly, its a national crisis if you ask me.</p>
<p>Rose Hill !!!</p>
<p>Good choice. But room/board is not 15k at Rose Hill. You can do that for less. Triples there are fine. And common. Save on the meal plan. Its alright…Its likely mid 50’s. Wait until the final offer of financial aid comes after you submit the FAFSA. You may appeal if you have special circumstances. </p>
<p>Its a great school, fabulous location and transformational experience.</p>
<p>I’ve just been reading over this thread (rather quickly), but am I understanding this right? That you would not receive any merit aid if you do not file a FAFSA and CSS form? Please tell me this is not so :(.</p>
<p>Room and board for LC triples is like 9k. RH is probably the same or cheaper.</p>
<p>Also, sovereign, how much is the cheapest meal plan?</p>
<p>Yes no merit aid without filing the Fafsa and css</p>
<p>My D has a triple at loschert @ 3655 per semester</p>
<p>Also, you might not need BOTH the FAFSA and CSS. I do not have a SSN, so I could not do FAFSA. CSS does not ask for that, so I did it. I still got my scholarship and they told me I won’t lose it because of my immigration status.</p>
<p>Westie, Fordham reviews all applicants for scholarships. If you are offered one and you accept, I believe the policy is for them to ask for a FAFSA. Fordham is not really needs blind. But on the other hand, they are equitable. I’ve never heard of them reducing any scholarship offer, but in fact have heard that they have increased their offer.</p>
<p>I don’t know, I feel like I’m reading conflicting things about merit aid. I know my son won’t qualify for financial aid, as our EFC is too high. We filled out the FAFSA, just in case there was some possibility it was required for merit. I don’t see a purpose in filling out the CSS profile, as it takes time and money. It doesn’t seem to be required, based on what I see on their website. Maybe it would if you were in the category of the group that gets merit aid that they decide also needs fa. But if you know you can’t qualify for fa, why would you submit the CSS profile?</p>
<p>@sovereigndebt - Thanks for the response. So would we need to fill out the fafsa now before the Feb. 1 deadline or wait until she’s accepted and see if they offer money? I’m so confused as to what to do. Maybe I should call.</p>
<p>westie:</p>
<p>No problem. You can call if you want. But they are swamped now. </p>
<p>First, if you dont need financial aid, then there is no point in submitting it by Feb 1. They ask for the FAFSA, as far as I know, really for internal purposes for kids who accept an offer of admission WITH A SCHOLARSHIP OFFER. </p>
<p>If you don’t need financial aid and are prepared to pay the full monty then its not needed and I doubt it would help you in the admissions cycle. If you need financial aid, then yes, submit it now. In either event, all applications at Fordham are reviewed for scholarships and if your daughter is qualified will likely get one. The normal cutoff for merit aid is somewhere around 1400 SAT’s/1600 (CR + Math). There are exceptions, but not many.</p>
<p>I also heard about this policy third hand, since we were not in that situation (SAT’s above 1300 but below 1400) and we needed the financial aid…and were offered generous grant money instead. Not as prestigious as a scholarship, but it pays the same bills! Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Ok, yes that does help, thank you very much! We are going to fill it out anyway, but from what you are saying she probably won’t qualify for merit. Her sat’s are under 1300 so I guess that’s that.</p>
<p>I’m afraid that is likely true unless there is some other hook. Fordham’s avg SAT is around 1260. Fill out the FAFSA, submit it (if you need some aid) and see what happens. They may give you grant money and of course some student loans. </p>
<p>In the final analysis you have to compare offers and see what is the best for your daughter and your family short and long term. Its a great school. Very academic and you will work very, very hard there. Trust me. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>My son received a $10,000 scholarship with admission and I was told that in early February they will be sending out an update regarding scholarship/aid and it may be increased at that time. Does anyone know anything more?</p>
<p>I just got a letter the other day giving my merit aid! I don’t qualify for financial aid but you still have to fill out FAFSA to receive the merit aid. So don’t give up hope, you can receive a scholarship at any time!</p>