<p>According to person at NMSC, if you are a finalist with a first choice school that participates in the program you would likely not get the 2.5k award. Some schools give major scholarships to Merit students and the NMSC is not going to cost somebody major $ for 2.5K.</p>
<p>An admissions rep at NU told us the award is only for 3 years so if he is wrong then I am wrong.</p>