I recently got accepted to my dream school (U of MN) and earlier this week got a scholarship award in the mail, worth $20,000 ($5,000 per year). When I reread the letter the next day, I saw that the award was for National Merit Finalists of 2016 (I am a NMF, but I graduated high school in 2013 and had to take a few years off due to health problems), so I contacted the school to see if there was a mistake. There was, and they rescinded the offer. I feel devastated, and I know now that if I hadn’t asked them about it they wouldn’t have noticed. I really needed that money, and I had already told my family that I had received that scholarship.
The admissions counselor I had been speaking to told me I could “appeal the decision”, though. They didn’t say anything more than that, and at the moment I’m afraid to ask them for more help on this. I’d eagerly write an appeal letter, but I’m not really sure how something like this could be appealed, considering I didn’t meet the requirements in the first place…
So, my question: is there anything technical here that I can make an appeal for? Or would they consider an appeal based on the emotional distress they’ve caused me (lol)? Is there any way I can make an appeal for a different scholarship as a replacement?
I would base your appeal on the grounds that award being for 2016 NMF’s is probably because it’s intended for people going directly from high school to U of MN. I would then make the case that you are functionally in the same position. You’d be entering as a freshman, you haven’t been going to school anywhere else, you haven’t been working (assuming all those things are true). Briefly explain how your illness kept you from school or work; you’re not going for the sympathy vote, you’re explaining why you are in the same position as the 2016 grads. Definitely let them know that this is your dream school and that if you can afford it, you will definitely go. Good luck.
Best you found out about this sooner rather than later. You must know it would be found at some point.
You do not say anything about ‘emotional distress’ that is really low and will harden them against you for such tactics. That is a term of law for lawsuits so it could sound like you want to sue them. If you have emotional distress them you need to show diagnosis and treatment.
Only say that you had planned to attend when you received the award and let them know it is your first choice and take the advice above. Hurry get an email in asap.
You have to understand that probably they don’t get to report you as new NMF because it has to be for rising HS seniors so it doesn’t help them brag how many to US News. So many they will be kind enough to come up with some replacement award for you. I don’t think there is anything technical.
I am glad that you did the right thing and found out now instead of saying nothing, enrolling and have National Merit inform your school that you are not a candidate for this years scholarship (leaving you in more trouble; misrepresentation and possibly having not only the scholarship, but your admission rescinded).
While I feel for OP, and I am glad that s/he is now better. unfortunately s/he is not eligible for a national merit scholarship.
For OP the national merit door closed, when s/he did not enroll in college Fall 2013 after graduation. I would definitely recommend finding out if there are other scholarships, that OP would be eligible to receive.
Do appeal based on the fact you are just like a freshman since you couldn’t enroll right after high school.
It’d look pretty bad if the Trib got a headline that read 'umn withdraws scholarships to kid who survived cancer for being in hospital rather than enrolling ’ (Can you guess I’m not a copy editor ) or whatever illness you had to recover from.
If the scholarship comes straight from nmf you’d have to check with them as I don’t know whether they have an exception clause for illness.
What about your “regular stats” of SAT/ACT and GPA? Did those not merit a good sized award on their own?
I don’t know what your major/career goal is, but quickly send a application to UAH. If your stats are strong (and since you were a NMF, I’m guessing they were, you will get a good sized merit award.
The NMF thing would have come out soon because after May 1st, the schools find out who chose them as “first choice”…and your name would NOT have been listed.
You can send them an appeal for a different scholarship award, but you won’t get that NMF award since it is processed thru NMCorp and is only for 2016 winners.
) or whatever illness you had to recover from.