<p>This is probably not what the poster was interested in, but I was a National Merit Scholar back in the day (1984 HS graduate) In TX I scored a 195. Yes, you read that score correctly. That was good enough back then before the test was “recentered” or whatever they call it. I would love to know what the cutoff was back then. I do not know how close I was to it. I attended Texas A&M on a President’s Endowed Scholarship which was 3,000/year and the one time National Merit award(1000-2000, can’t remember). At that time it covered all costs including room and board. My parents only paid for books which was about $150/semester. I got about 4 full ride offers from smaller schools, but nothing amazing. I did not know to seek out the good merit award schools. I graduated and had a nice career in my field before I left to stay home with the kids.</p>
<p>College Confidential is amazing and so, so helpful. My daughter is now a NMSF and has been offered the same scholarship which has the same $$ amount today! Sure they add extra National Merit money to it but it adds up to about half of the COA. We are hoping to use the match other offers process to get a full ride at A&M, but she may very well end up at Alabama.</p>