@wwhspdad, the people at NMSC are very friendly, but they will not give login credentials directly to students even after the press release date (I tried that route last year). NMSC told me to have a school official call them if the school needed the packet resent or if help was needed logging into the system to get the student letters.
@StillLTL: Ah, gotcha, thanks. Makes sense for security reasons.
@StillLotsToLearn … thanks for that info. Our school apparently hasn’t got the mailer yet… so I assume I will have to get them to call NMSC!
Art posted cutoff for all 50 states
I copied to the other thread for those who don’t want to look at Art’s blog.
Well, with Art’s cutoffs posted, and the DMs finally slowing down, I suppose my job is done here. Thank you all for the help, and best of luck with NMF!
@jswani can’t thank you enough for helping all us anxious parents out!
@LOUKYDAD No problem! Least I can do. And if anyone still wants confirmation, I’ll be happy to check!
@jswani sent you a private message I think. let me know if you didn’t receive it. thanks!
@APedison Just replied!
Posted a question to Art on what might be a national cutoff (without the state quotas). His current thought is that the national figure without state quotas will likely be around 219/220, as 221 or 222 may not get us close to the 16K (top 1%). More analysis to follow, I am sure.
My child with a 220 in Georgia was apparently told at school on Friday that he qualified as NMSF. Tonight at dinner he he casually said “oh yeah I got that National Merit thing”. Ahhh!
So DD “got that National Merit thing”. No corporate sponsor and she’s not interested in the schools that give credit. Now, what good is it?
Even if she’s not into the schools that have scholarships for the NMSC, it can still be a gateway to other schools. IT’s certainly a well-recognized award, and can help her get into a higher-level school. And, of course, it’s just a nice reward to have for an accomplishment. Enjoy it!
@mimisdad - she should try for the $2500 one-time. It’ll be worth the effort.
@mimisdad … we’re in the same situation. As @JBStillFlying says, the $2500 one-time is a good thing to try for. And ofcourse, it’s great to put on the CV as well 
If you’ve “been there, done that” – what happens on the day the press release goes out? Especially for those of us who KNOW, but have not been TOLD, because the school hasn’t received its mail, or is being ultra discreet…
Does anyone know if we have to pay to send our old SAT scores to NMSC while applying for finalist, or if NMSC will cover it?
You must send the scores via College Board, just as you would to a college or any other scholarship organization. NMSC’s code is 0085. So yes, you do have to pay. If you are referring to the “old” test you’ll need to make sure NMSC still accepts that. They usually allow for something like a two year window so as long as you’ve taken the test within that time frame you should be good. Complete instructions, including timelines, for the 2018 program can be found here:
Was in school today… and they still haven’t heard from NMSC! The post was arriving, as I was leaving … and there was nothing there today either 
! Anyway, school has promised to speak to them today …