My S24 was accepted and Fordham is right up at the top of his list with another similar school where I have the same question. He got decent merit but Fordham cost has increased so much that it’s still shy of what we really need to keep loans under control. We are waiting on an appeal. He is open to the idea of finishing a semester early and taking an internship to cut further.
I know there are some handcuffs on the rigid core curriculum, I know only certain AP credits will transfer, and I know he would need approval before taking CC courses. That’s all on the web site.
What I’m asking is this very specific question : despite these challenges, has anyone actually had success cutting out a full semester at Fordham using some combination of the following ?
AP credits
summer courses at Community College
Less expensive intuition/R&B abroad
cheaper R&B off campus
other, like being an RA
some dept or school scholarships addition to freshman awards of merit/need
If it helps, S24 is humanities all the way. arts/Science student expecting a dual major in history plus language(s) and maybe one minor or certificate tbd.
I’m not asking about policy on credits. I’m asking if a current or former family actually pulled it off and graduated in 7 semesters. Or if local living costs, the extensive core curriculum, cost increases, or unforeseen constraints made it difficult.
When my S attended Fordham (years ago) they would not accept credits from CCs or any two year college once a student enrolled. Check the current policy.
Taking summer classes can stand in the way of other things he may want to do (ex. volunteering, research, working, etc.)
RA jobs are super competitive but can save money if a student is able to get one. The job does come with significant responsibilities.
Off campus can be less expensive. Most leases are for 12 months nor just the school year. My S stayed on campus all four years but had friends who moved off campus. I do recommend living on campus at least for freshman year.
My S had a great experience at Fordham but I would look at college options that are comfortably affordable.
They 100% would not accept CC classes for enrolled students when my S attended (even for non-core classes). Of course any coursework taken elsewhere should be approved in writing in advance. I urge you to confirm the current policy.
Back in my day, I definitely could have cut a whole year out based on AP credit. Instead I did a year of study abroad and double majored to fill the extra time. Study abroad for a year was cheaper than a year at Fordham. I also moved off campus for senior year which was considerably cheaper, although I lived in a pretty sketchy SRO.
So, with some luck, AP credit + study abroad + MAYBE off campus housing could cut down your expenses.
I have a kid at Fordham, and yes it is possible to graduate early if you plan carefully because certain classes can count for more than 1 area in the core, so the core doesn’t have to be as many courses as it seems at first. On the Fordham Parents Facebook group I occasionally hear parents mentioning their kid graduating early so I know people do it. Another option is to max out credits each term. For example you can take 18 credits rather than the standard 15 each semester. My kid does this most semesters, and although he is busy finds it do-able. But be careful not to take above 18 or you pay more!
I agree with spending at least freshman year on campus. After that, you can definitely save money by moving off campus. Some parents on the Facebook group will say their kid spent more, but then you find out they live in really nice apartments and eat out all the time. There are still plenty of apartments where you will save money (especially if you are willing to share a bedroom.) You would want to find someone to sublet from you during the summer.
Another factor could be a job during the school year. The pay in NYC is good. Especially for jobs like waiting tables (consider getting experience ahead of time) or tutoring/nannying/private coaching.
Yes, NYC can be extremely expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. There is a lot of free stuff to do. But going out is super expensive–is your kid the going out (bars and restaurants etc) type?
If, after really considering it, you decide you don’t want to swing Fordham’s cost, keep in mind that your kid still could have a NYC opportunity. A sibling of mine attended our state’s flagship for cost reasons. But then 1 summer got a couple of college friends together, and they sublet student housing and worked the early shifts in coffee shops and still had the afternoons and evenings free for the full NYC experience–great memories.
Not entirely to your question, but if your student has any interest, Fordham is a school that provides free room and board to ROTC students on top of the full tuition that the ROTC scholarship covers. The final board has passed and you would have to apply next year, however.
Were you able to get extra money on appeal? And has your son decided to go to Fordham? we are still unsure about the final costs. It’s a bit stressful.
We did get extra money. IIRC it went from $24k to $30k merit. (No need). And we were sure going abroad would save $10k. Unfortunately after our 529 and annual contribution that still left my son with too many loans.
We also were not sure he could finish early though a few said they had - that would make a big difference, even just going part time the last semester. So if that’s possible that’s a good option.
He ended up enrolling at Maryland where he got no aid but it was still cheaper