Is the $2,500 Natl Merit scholarship independent of your first-choice college?

saraiana88 · 03-14-2007, 11:16 PM

Hi.

Right now I have told the NMSC that my first-choice college is a college that sponsors NM scholarships. However, this school isn't really my first choice. But my first choice college does not sponsor NM scholarships, and so I am hoping to get a one-time $2500 scholarship from the NMSC so I can use it for my real first choice school.

Will my first-choice college that I have listed to the NMSC affect my chances of winning a $2500 scholarship?

Thanks.

GujuGeek · 03-15-2007, 01:22 AM

I had this exact question. When I Called NMC...they said no!

Scholarships are mailed March 22nd!

quark49 · 03-15-2007, 07:15 AM

I'm so confused about this. I'm a National Merit Finalist, but the first choice school I put down doesn't sponsor any merit scholarships- so do I still get money? I haven't heard anything from them since my school told me I was a finalist.

SBDad · 03-15-2007, 08:01 AM

Guju, which scholarships are mailed 3/22? The ones direct from NMC?

anxiousmom · 03-15-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

I'm so confused about this. I'm a National Merit Finalist, but the first choice school I put down doesn't sponsor any merit scholarships- so do I still get money? I haven't heard anything from them since my school told me I was a finalist.

You would only get money if you received a NM sponsored 1-time $2500 award, or if you got a corporate sponsored scholarship. That being said, some colleges don't officially award NM scholarships, but do preferentially package their NM finalists in FA packages, or award merit scholarships that are not labeled as NM scholarships.

gitlecoeur · 03-15-2007, 04:23 PM

My son received a $2500 NM scholarship 2 years ago. It came directly from the NMSC and had nothing to do with the college he had earlier designated as his first choice. He was awarded the scholarship, and then he said where he wanted to use it.

GujuGeek · 03-15-2007, 06:37 PM

Yes, the $2500 ones from NMC are mailed on the 22nd.

If your first-choice college does not sponsor NMF scholarships, you are still eligible for the $2500 one from NMC, but won't get anything else from your first choice college.

Good luck everyone!

Lord Asquith · 03-17-2007, 05:35 PM

I received the $2500 last year and simply filled out a "school change form" (which I think they mail to you) when my actual first choice school was different from the "first choice" school I originally put on the application.

Mizo · 03-18-2007, 08:51 PM

So, what happens if your first choice college sponsors the NM award, such as Wash U, matches it for the subsequent 3 years. Do you still get the first $2,500
check in the mail from the National Merit Corp?