<p>taben:</p>
<p>I will share with you the best of my understanding but, to be honest, I am not completely certain myself.</p>
<p>You are right about the three types of scholarships. An NMF (or NAF) can only qualify for one, regardless of source.</p>
<p>They do not all notify at the same time. Each college and each corporation runs on its own timetable. Even the NMSC notifications are released in “batches” throughout the Spring and not on a single date.</p>
<p>Most (maybe all) colleges that give NMF scholarships require the recipients to make the school their first choice but usually this means “eventually” - NMSC allows NMF’s to change their designated first choice through April. However you should check with each school to verify their policy on this. You might have to call them in order to get clarification. You do have the option of leaving the first choice “undecided” until April, and some sources have recommended this as a strategy. (Of course an NMF does have to *apply *to a school in order to be considered for its scholarships.)</p>
<p>As far as I know your first choice is irrelevant to corporate and NMSC awards. If you are fortunate enough to receive one of these in addition to a school award I believe a choice will have to be made. This is the point of which I am most uncertain.</p>
<p>See here for more authoritative advice: <a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/afford/national_merit_tips/[/url]”>http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/afford/national_merit_tips/</a>. And, as the link suggests, call the NMSC with any questions.</p>