<p>Some students have reported receiving letters from their rolling admissions and Early action schools offering a merit scholarship with a caveat saying that they must accept the scholarship and send in their agreement to attend that school, before the May 1 Candidate's Reply Date.</p>
<p>Please keep in mind that you are under no obligation to reply to ANY school before May 1. If schools offer you a scholarship that is contingent on agreeing to attend before that date, you have, under NACAC regulations the right to request in writing an extension of the scholarship offer to that date.
You can cite National Association of College Admissions Counselor (NACAC )rules when doing this and give the following link as evidence:</p>
<p>Again, Colleges that request commitments for admission offers or financial offers prior to May 1 MUST offer candidates the opportunity to request (in writing) the opportunity to postpone their decision until May 1, even if they say initially that the offer is only good if attendance is accepted before then. If any school balks at granting this request, report them to the NACAC. </p>
<p>Just wanted to let folks know this.</p>