<p>You do NOT automatically get the half tuition Presidential scholarship from being NMS. National Merit will mail you a form where you list your FIRST CHOICE college. The following has to open (at least last year, I don’t know if there was a policy change at USC this year): 1. You have to write down that USC is your FIRST CHOICE college. 2. You have to be a National Merit Finalist. 3. You have to be accepted to USC. If you are accepted to USC, are a National Merit Finalist and you write down that USC is your FIRST CHOICE college (and you do not change your decision), then you should get the Presidential half tuition scholarship. This was last year’s procedure. Read the scholarship info. in the USC brochure to see if this is the same or different policy/procedure this year. My understanding is that you have to apply by Dec. 1 to be considered for USC scholarships. I don’t know what happens if you meet the criteria for a presidential scholarship but did not meet the Dec. 1 scholarship deadline.</p>