Advantages of one award vs. another for admissions

[Youdon'tsay]

If you are a Hispanic or African-American student and score well enough to make Commended as well, I'm assuming you have to choose one designation, either Commended Scholar OR Hispanic/Natl Achievement scholar.

Would it be more advantageous from an admissions/financial aid standpoint to take the Hispanic/Natl Achievement designation rather than Commended? I've heard of schools giving extra money to those minority designations, but would a minority who took the Commended designation lose out on the money?

[Northstarmom]

Both of my sons were National Merit Commended and National Achievement semifinalists (grades kept them from finalist status). They listed both achievements on their applications, resumes, etc.

One can't be a scholarship winner in both categories, but one could be a finalist in both categories.

[curmudgeon]

NSM, what scholarship for Commended? Most times that's just something to put on the brag sheet. I don't see why a kid would have to choose but admittedly I've never been there and you have. Twice. I'd certainly list both even if I didn't get a scholarship from being Commended.

[Northstarmom]

There are a few scholarships for commended students. Those tend to be tied into companies, and I think are in general for kids of employees. A long time ago, I researched and posted info about this on CC. A few colleges like St. Olaf do give small scholarships to NM Commended students.

My post, however, was written incorrectly. What I was trying to say was that students who make National Achievement or National Hispanic finalist and also are finalists for NM scholarships can get either a National Achievement (or National Hispanic Scholarship) or National Merit. They can't get scholarships in both categories.

[curmudgeon]

That I understand. Thanks for the clarification.