Hi there! I'm looking into Fordham University for next year. I'd love some info on the financial aid they offer and any suggestions for making my application stand out to increase aid possibilities. Thanks in advance!
Fordham University offers both need-based and merit-based financial aid opportunities for its students. To get an estimate of need-based aid, Fordham suggests using the school's Net Price Calculator, which approximates the aid you might receive based on your family's financial circumstances.
To apply for need-based aid, you'll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Services (CSS) Profile. Fordham's FAFSA code is 002722.
In terms of merit-based aid, Fordham offers academic scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition for outstanding applicants. Scholarships are generally competitive, but all applicants are automatically considered for these awards when they apply to Fordham, so there's no separate application required. There are many types of scholarships, including:
1. Presidential Scholarship: The Presidential scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including room, board, and fees, for recipients, plus provides up to $20,000 for academic enrichment experiences. You should have a strong academic record, impressive extracurricular involvement, and be able to articulate your intellectual curiosity.
2. Deans' Scholarship: This scholarship provides scholarships starting at $25,000 (and then scaled up based on students' need). Recipients must have strong grades and demonstrate leadership, a commitment to service, or other personal strengths.
3. Fordham Scholarship: This scholarship covers up to full tuition. To be eligible you must be a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholar Program or considered a Scholar by a National Recognition Program Scholarship.
To improve your chances of receiving financial aid at Fordham, focus on showcasing your academic achievement with a strong GPA and standardized test scores - while the main admissions process at Fordham is test-optional, a strong SAT or ACT score can emphasize your worthiness for a particular scholarship.
Additionally, highlight your involvement, leadership, and community service in extracurricular activities to show an impact beyond the classroom. Also, your personal statement should clearly demonstrates your intellectual curiosity, aspirations, and personal growth, while your Fordham-specific supplement should show your fit for this particular institution.
For tips on how to tackle Fordham's school-specific supplemental essay prompt(s), check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-fordham-university-essays
You might also consider applying Early Action or Early Decision (I or II) to Fordham, as there are fewer applicants during these rounds and no scholarships have been awarded yet (for EA and EDI). During Regular Decision, you would be competing with more applicants for fewer remaining scholarships.
Finally, remember that on top of Fordham-specific opportunities, you should apply for outside scholarships to help cover your college expenses. There are numerous resources that can help point you toward scholarships that fit your profile or interests. Best of luck in your college application and financial aid journey!
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