<p>I called them about a gap year. They told me the $2500 given out to some scholars to use anywhere can be used the following year as long as it’s OK with the school that you named as your first choice school. For schools that offer NMF scholarships, I’ve seen them plead not to miss the deadline (I think it’s April 30?) in declaring them a first choice school. It seems that from a National Merit Corporation stand point, the “competition” is over May 1st and you need to have your plans made by then.</p>