<p>FYI: Fordham told us the Ailey packages will be released on Friday. </p>
<p>No, she will be in the science department…I hope you hear soon…I know the wait was killing us!</p>
<p>Just checked my portal and it says I’ve got a 21k grant per year! I am elated… I honestly was not expecting anything from this school. Now, @Reader13 you mentioned that you WERE able to appeal for some more aid in the end. That’s fantastic news (it gives me hope). If you don’t mind my asking, how much exactly were you able to get? I need 8k more and I’ll be 100% ready to commit. </p>
<p>Could you share your experience with this process? I’d be forever grateful. </p>
<p>Spoke again to FA today and was told they are “reevaluating” her package. I hope that means going up. I had spoken to a FA officer at an admit day and had explained our family situation (disabled child, costs not covered by insurance), so hopefully they take that into consideration. Congrats to those who got their packages and are able to commit! Good luck to those still waiting. We were told it would be up by Friday. </p>
<p>So are we the only ones still waiting?</p>
<p>Seems like it! My DD is a dancer - is yours? I think there are other Ailey kids waiting, too. I’m thinking they are holding back the FA packages with need-based aid (that’s us). Hope that means good things for us. :)</p>
<p>DD is doing international business/marketing (Spanish and Mandarin) in Gabelli. She needs to study abroad in China and in a Spanish speaking country for the G.L.O.B.E. program, so we would need that FA to make that happen! Would be a shame to have to cut back on her academic goals, or even have to choose elsewhere. </p>
<p>@mgm0909 Hey. I’ll be happy to tell you as much as I can. Granted I’m the student, but I am aware of what aid I received and all that. Anyway, this is what happened:</p>
<p>The original FA package we received was 10K in grants and I believe loans too. I I think that also counted the state aid as well. Anyway, that wasn’t enough so we appealed as I said before. This is what I got for aid after the appeal</p>
<p>Grant in aid supplement (non-renewable): $4,000
Grant in Aid (renewable): $8,000</p>
<p>I also got a metro grant, for $6,000 which is something all commuters get. However, I had my status originally as a resident and not commuter, so that had to be changed.</p>
<p>Okay so experience. As I said before, not exactly fun. Anyway, first we talked to the financial aid officer, who was very good and nice. She was pretty straightforward on what we had to file and everything. So, we did. This included medical expenses, mortgage, taxes, and much more. Basically, they want every detail of your life. Anyway, so we filed the paper work, including a reason for the high medical expenses, and gave it the FA person, who then sent it up to Rose Hill to be reviewed by a board. So, here comes the really fun part. We had to wait and then were questioned because I had changed my status from resident to commuter and the board wanted to know why. So we explained what happened and they said okay. However, it took them over a week to respond back and we did not get an answer until the National Reply Day (May 1). We got the good news then.</p>
<p>Overall, the experience was okay. The FA officer was direct and organized. It was Rose Hill that was more of the problem. Also, I should have put commuter from the start, but Mom had wanted me to put resident on the original application because she thought we would recove more aid that way. I asked the school to change it via an e-mail, but I guess they found it odd. -shrug- Hope this helps you and good luck!</p>
<p>Also, forgot to add this, but according to the FA officer, Fordham does not look at the offers of other schools when you appeal and doesn’t bother to match them. This could be just a scare tactic though. I would still give them your other offers and see what happens.</p>
<p>Finally had a small change on my.fordham.edu: a description of what the Loyola Scholarship and Tuition Aid are. No specific amounts listed. We are happy that FA is working on her case. Hopefully we will hear soon. </p>
<p>@Reader13 thanks so much for your reply! I’m gonna call and see what they say. I’m hoping for the best, all I really need is 8-10k and I’m set. I hope that’s a reasonable amount to ask for :/</p>
<p>also… Do you think if I found a way to visit and appeal in person, I would have a better chance, or not?</p>
<p>Got the FA package online! It is the same as the PIP. Good luck to all.</p>
<p>Dear Fordham Faithful:</p>
<p>The ugly truth about Fordham financial aid and scholarships is that it is patently subjective and arbitrary. </p>
<p>The President of the University, Fr. Joseph McShane, SJ. has openly stated that he favors students who come from catholic schools that Fordham knows and has a relationship with (whether Jesuit prep schools around the country or local tri-state catholic boys and girls schools, or similar schools in places like Los Angeles, Florida, Dallas etc.). </p>
<p>If you are a newby to Fordham because they dont know your school, or particularly if you attend a public school they dont know, the likelihood of getting a big kahuna scholarship is slim to nil and they may not even give you the same grant in aid money that others get. </p>
<p>I know plenty of stories of people with LOWER grades and LOWER SAT scores getting HUGE money, simply because they have a relationship with Fordham (particularly true in the Tri State area.) Often these students didnt really even need the money as their parents have boats, vacation homes, take euro vacations and more. Fact.</p>
<p>Its the ugly truth. </p>
<p>I love Fordham but their financial aid office is the WORST. They play favorites and they dont treat people with similar scores the same way. Its infuriating to find out someone with mediocre scores and grades has a half tuition scholarship, while you come in with wonderful grades from a top notch public school not well known to Fordham and get offered crumbs and a BUNCH of student loans. They tell you “take it or leave it, there are plenty of kids waiting in line to get in here!” QUOTE FROM FINANCIAL AID OFFICER.</p>
<p>Its a fabulous school. I wish EVERYONE was treated the same. That everyone with scores and grades of X got the same offers, regardless of where they went to school. </p>
<p>Frankly I would follow the Ivy League system and offer NO MERIT aid, because the SAT system is so flawed. I know kids with high sat’s that got mediocre grades at Fordham…and got half scholarships, while my kid had superb grades and a wonderful SAT score (but below 1400) and finished Phi Beta Kappa at Fordham, and had to take on a boatload of loans to get through and we emptied the piggy bank to help her. </p>
<p>I think Fordham should offer aid SOLELY based on need. And be fair, just and objective about it. Not favoring little boys and girls catholic schools locally or that administrators have visited in Los Angeles etc. </p>
<p>Its the one thing about Fordham I despise. A completely arbitrary…some would use a more derogatory term…Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. </p>
<p>I know of a case where a student with AWFUL grades was not only accepted but given a HUGE scholarship? WHAT? Yep. And why? Because of legacy and that particular legacy has money and gives generously to Fordhams endowment and capital campaign. I get that they want to encourage donations. I accept that completely. Endowments and capital campaigns are necessary to sustain the university and keep its top flight faculty and programs. But to give an unworthy student a SCHOLARSHIP? And tell someone who has worked their tail off with more than 7 AP courses they get a paltry grant and they must take student loans to stay at Fordham, and my kid finished Phi Beta Kappa? And the unworthy kid at Fordham struggles to get C’s? PUHLEEZE.</p>
<p>Its the ugly truth. </p>
<p>Be aware. And if you get a scholarship, congrats and best of luck. If you don’t, I am truly sorry and feel your pain. Make a good decision. Sov.</p>
<p>We only just got the official package recently, but I, also, have seen this happening. Some students from our public HS (last year) got merit scholarships 13000 over ours. These students had scores significantly lower (200+ points) and GPAs less stellar, with 2 or 3 APs while my DS had 6. Makes no sense to me. I plan on talking to them… </p>
<p>I have been watching from afar as we are still considering Fordham as are many we know. Frankly, I am not sure that Fordham is strong enough to go to need only aid at this point. Most of the people we know who applied to Fordham did so as a safety school. I know people do not care for that term, but that is the term the kids used. Now that they are in, they are considering Fordham over BC, GT and ND (mainly) solely because of merit aid they received. Without that merit aid, they would take the name brand, alumni connections, etc. that the others offer to a greater degree. Yes, Fordham is strong in its own right but they are not yet in the circles of those three and admin. at Fordham told us they know this and are trying to get there.</p>
<p>I just don’t think Fordham could wipe away the incentive of Merit aid to get kids who are being pulled by other schools, especially those 3. Many are willing to go to Dartmouth or Princeton and take the loans because of the weight of the name and the connections world, or at least nation, wide. I don’t think Fordham is there yet. No, rankings certainly are NOT everything, but applicants consider it and Fordham’s I believe went down and their yield tends not to be high. I cannot imagine that their yield would increase if they stopped giving merit aid. However, a clearer system of awarding the aid seems needed.</p>
<p>As for recruiting or giving preference to Catholic school graduates…I do understand that as arguably they are more likely to find Fordham a fit and stay. That being said, the fact that ‘everyone’ seems to be from a tri state Catholic school really gives off a vibe that Fordham is not diverse. Tricky. </p>
<p>But I feel for those who are deserving but left without the large merit aid. My nephew got aid…showed no interest, applied at the 11th hour because the app. was so easy and no extra essay or interview was required, and did so as a safety. Deserving? Hmmm </p>
<p>I agree that Fordham is not yet strong enough to do need only aid. Perhaps after 10-15 years of recruiting solid students that would have normally gone to other, more branded, schools, will put them in that position. My DS is going to Fordham over NYU Stern, a very prestigious and harder to get into school, due to six reasons: 1) the merit aid 2) NYC location which gives rise to 3) same internship and job opportunities 4) RH campus with a community feel and 5) less of that cut throat atmosphere found at Stern 6) Fordham has a football team and other team sports! </p>
<p>As for a safety school, every year it is becoming less so, as its average SAT/ACT scores and GPA climb. As for Gabelli School of Business, the average was 1985 this year, well above the rest of the school. I would not be surprised to see it nearing 2000 very soon. DS fell in love with Fordham two years ago, and, despite looking at many other options, including Ivy ones, is ending up here. I know DS will love it and be successful, taking advantage of its many opportunities, like an Honors Major (without any Honors merit aid…) I am relieved this process is finally done! </p>
<p>Fordham is a good school don’t get me wrong but if he wants to get any front office Wall Street positions it will near impossible to do that from Fordham given the competition from target school students. Also school year internship wise there will be a ton of competition from Stern, Columibia, & Baruch kids - getting internships in the city are not that easy and there tons and tons of applicants with amazing resumes for each spot so he’ll want to make sure that his credentials are impeccable and takes advantage of the city to network. </p>
<p>Also if possible try to transfer into a target school after 2 years since he would have made a lot of connections in the city by then and then he can take advantage of a target school’s resources. </p>
<p>Fordham kids DO get excellent jobs and several wallstreet execs are Fordham alumni. Typically the high dollar IB bank jobs do go to Ivy League and top 10 schools. But plenty of excellent jobs in the banks are available, sometimes in research or operations. Fordham kids get hired by major corporations and law firms and media firms in Manhattan. </p>
<p>Nobody understands Fordhams methods or agendas in Financial Aid. They are all over the place. Some kids with excellent stats get crummy aid and some kids with crummy grades get excellent aid or scholarships and there are clear patterns of favoritism. </p>
<p>I am not just talking about URM’s either. </p>
<p>While I understand the position that Fordham is not an Ivy and cant do what they do (nor is their endowment at that level) I still think they could be more objective, consistent and fair. They aren’t.</p>
<p>As for SAT scores, FCRH can hold its own with Gabelli. Gabelli kids often have high math scores while FCRH kids often have very high reading and writing scores. Overall Fordhams SAT avg is around 1290. </p>
<p>Overall Fordham has a very high freshman retention rate so that isnt the problem here.</p>
<p>I have to say, I’m from a Catholic school and did not receive any merit aid since my grades weren’t stellar and neither was my SAt. The kids in my school who did get merit had pretty good grades and good SATS. They were all in the National Honor society and in pretty much all honors and APs. So, I understood why they got the merit aid and I didn’t. Also, you forgot to mention you need to be Hispanic to get a full ride. :P</p>
<p>Also, those who go to Fordham do pretty well career wise, deposited the fact that they didn’t go to a big school like Columbia or whatever else is considered a good college in NYC. Also, Baruch is a great school, but it’s CUNY, which for many is enough to turn their nose up at. It’s unfornate, but true.</p>
<p>Fordham as a safety school? That depends on the student. For me, it wasn’t a safety. I was crossing to fingers to get in. However, for my friend it was a safety. It depends on grades and all that. So, it’s in the middle. However, for most, it’s not a safety school, at least not anymore.</p>
<p>Also, just because the app has no essay, doesn’t mean the school isn’t good. I know you pointed this out before @officiating, but last time you seemed to be sort of okay with that. What happened? I know it hurts not to get aid, if that’s what happened, but that shouldn’t really totally change your opinion of the school. 
I know I’m over stepping, just a little disappointed that a lot are bitter at the FA status and seem to be changing their opinion of the school because of it.</p>
<p>@reader13 I did not imply that I am not ‘okay’ with the school. In fact I would be pleased for my daughter to choose it. She may decide after Sunday’s visit. My information about it being a ‘safety’ is in the context of a discussion of kids who listed it as such while thinking (some correctly so, some not) as BC as a match and ND as their reach. As for the application, the lack of additional essay, interviews, etc. does not make the school less worthy. However it can lead to students applying on a whim since very little effort is needed to do so (trust me, I literally saw this happen at my house with my nephew and his friends).</p>
<p>Our child received very good merit aid and we are grateful for that. My comments were in response to the idea that Merit aid should be eliminated. I do not agree with that. Then again, had my student not gotten merit aid I may well have a different opinion. That is only natural. </p>
<p>Fordham is a very good school and to keep getting better I believe they will need to keep giving incentives for top students to come when those students have other options that may appear, to the untrained teen eye, more worthy (for lack of a better word). Now how you define ‘top’ is what becomes so hard to fairly quantify.</p>
<p>This time of financial aid, household budgets, the reality of cost, etc. all coming after the joy of acceptances is a tense one. I have heard the term Financial Rejection lately (getting in, but not being able to afford the school). When that happens to a hard working student with good stats at a school that gives merit and they cannot get another 8k out of the school while others who do not need the money or may not be as qualified for the merit get more money, it is tough to swallow. </p>
<p>Finally, believing as @sovereigndebt does that the financial aid office needs a overall or as I do that the application process needs to be more rigorous does not mean a lack of support for Fordham, only suggestions for consideration. You have a right to be proud of your school and your acceptance @reader13, well deserved. Let’s just hope all get what they need and deserve to be able to attend if they truly desire to do so. </p>
<p>Ah, okay! Unfortunately, I sometimes read into things deeper than I should. Sorry. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t want merit aid to be eliminated either. In fact, Mom is praying that I get a 3.6 GPA because she thinks it will get me merit aid. I don’t know exactly if that’s true, but we’ll find in June/July. That’s when we get our FA package.</p>
<p>Yes, top is hard to define. I think it comes down to what classes you take when you get to the school and all that.</p>
<p>Yes, I definitely understand that times are hard and tense. When I applied to Fordham, my dad was out of work, which might be why we got the extra aid when we applied. Or the really high medical expenses. so I understand where you’re coming from.</p>
<p>I’m proud of my acceptance, deposited the snarky remarks I see sometimes about Fordham. I hope your daughter chooses to go and that she enjoys it. If not, I hope she likes wherever she goes. :)</p>