<p>I dont think Fordham gives all the aid to Catholic School kids. I know that public school kids are applying to Fordham in record numbers and increasing the diversity, but that a still significant number of kids come from Catholic Schools, notably in the Tri State area, many of which have fairly low tuition thanks to generous alumni, unlike private schools in other parts of the country which can run from 15-20 k per child, per year. Its frustrating when we do what we can. We cant all wear sack cloth for 20 years and eat potatoes and turnips from our backyard gardens and drive a 1968 volkswagen, but it seems that some schools expect you to do that. On the other hand, some people spend every dime they earn and if they are earning 150k or more a year, they are spending at least that much on cars, vacations, mortgage, private school tuition, taxes and eating out. Then when their kids want to go to college they wake up and say, “wow! We have to pay for that too?” LOL. </p>
<p>We saved what we thought was a lot of money. But the problem is tuition ramped up in the last 10 years to the stratosphere, the cost of living ratcheted up and the stock market tanked at least twice. But its tough cookies. The rich get richer and the poor and URM’s get the lion’s share of aid. (Though the vast majority of them arent’ even going to college. So count your blessings.)</p>
<p>One pet pieve I have is when the rich get scholarships. I know schools want to attract the best talent…but its tough to swallow that people making more money than we can imagine somehow get the full rides. I see it where I live. </p>
<p>I don’t have the answers. Just empathy for those caught in the wedge. And I have to remind myself and others, that a college education is still not a right, its a privilege…and we should be grateful our kids got in somewhere and can afford at least a state flagship. Many don’t even get this far.</p>