My son was admitted to USC and awarded $23K in a University Grant and $4K in a University Scholarship. He is also a National Merit Finalist, but has not indicated a first-choice school w/NMSC yet. When I just called the USC FA office to ask about this, the rep said that the 1/2 tuition award USC offers NMF’s (which they call the Presidential Scholarship) would be in addition to his current package. I asked if she was absolutely sure and she said assured me this was so. But I find that hard to believe, esp. given some of the contrary comments on this thread. Has anyone had experience with this scenario? Also, assuming that USC would lower or eliminate his University Grant if they add the 1/2 tuition NM scholarship, how we can determine exactly where he’d end up? We’d understandably like to know that before indicating USC w/NMSC, esp. since one of the other schools he’s still considering also offers NM.