<p>So, I have a question. If you are a National Merit Finalist and you put USC as your first choice, then are you guaranteed the National Merit Presidential? If not, does anyone know how likely those people have a chance of getting it?</p>
<p>Yes, unless they have changed things (& from quotes that have been posted, it doesn’t sound like they have), if you are a NMF, USC does guarantee that you will get a 1/2 tuition Presidential Scholarship. In addition, NMF also gives you $1000/year, renewable. Your individual department/school MAY also award a merit award (e.g. engineering), but that is very competitive and depends on each department/school.</p>
<p>FAid is separate & folks who qualify are also eligible for that.</p>
<p>Goodbyehello,
Is this the information you wanted?</p>
<pre><code> It is an honor to be a National Merit Scholar. However, it does not guarantee acceptance at USC. There was a thread last year regarding NMScholars who were not admitted.
IF ADMITTED, a National Merit Scholar will automatically receive the National Merit Scholarship of 1/2 tuition plus a $1,000 per year renewable NMFoundation
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<p>Scholarship. </p>
<pre><code> It is necessary to name USC as your first choice college on the NMS form to receive the scholarship. This does not have to be done now. Students have the opportunity to compare other acceptances after April 1 and name USC before the May 1 deadline.
If admitted AND SC is your first choice college I urge you to accept before the deadline. The site crashed when it was the deadline for applications. If would be wiser not to wait until the last few minutes if you wish to enroll.
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