There are almost always programs and “schools” within a university that may have different methodologies in giving out aid, but the underlying theme for NYU and financial aid is that it does not tend to meet full need. The statistics are right out there on the common data sets. It’s a refrain that the Financial Aid board on this forum release over and over again.
Yes, there are students each year who get generous merit and financial packaged each year, but that is not at all the general case. NYU is a very expensive School that tends to gap big time.