<p>If a student is not getting any other merit money from Vanderbilt, the National Merit stipend is $5,000 per year. If the student gets other merit money that amounts to more than 5K, then the NM stipend is 2K per year.</p>
<p>Did he list Vanderbilt as the first choice school? I think the deadline has not passed to do that, but I don't remember those deadline dates, any more.</p>
<p>Rejected.</p>
<p>But I'm going to UM :)</p>
<p>Both need and merit were included in my financial aid award letter. One grant that was listed specified that it was need-based, but I had to look up the name of the other scholarship to figure out that it was merit.</p>
<p>Accepted
2160. 4.2.</p>
<p>jhuston wrote: What's the story on NMF money ? I came across a web page which said they offered a 'minimum' of $5,000 annually for those indicating VU as first choice school. Anyone have any idea what the implications of 'minimum' are? My son managed to not apply for merit scholarships... so all he's seeing thus far is need based aid (substantial, but still leaving a sizeable gap in our needs)... so this NMF money may be his only hope.</p>
<p>jhuston, I'm wondering the same thing. I am a NMF and designated Vandy as my first choice, but the acceptance letter made no mention of the $5,000. described on the website, or any merit money. (I did complete the merit application). I did not apply for financial aid, but would need some money to make Vandy more competitive with UVA and William and Mary (instate tuition). Did anyone get notified about the NMF merit money with the acceptance?</p>
<p>to Dunkles</p>
<p>"I am a NMF and designated Vandy as my first choice, but the acceptance letter made no mention of the $5,000. described on the website, or any merit money. (I did complete the merit application). I did not apply for financial aid, but would need some money to make Vandy more competitive with UVA and William and Mary (instate tuition). Did anyone get notified about the NMF merit money with the acceptance?</p>
<p>My boyfriend did. On his financial aid form in the Vandy packet, it listed $5000 for NM. Mine didn't though, even though I was also a finalist and listed Vandy as my first choice. So I'm confused as to why it's on some people's but not on other's. I already emailed the scholarships@vandy address about it and called the number for National Merit given in the packet, but I haven't heard back yet. I really hope it's just an error and I do get it, because I need that $5000!</p>
<p>Tootie -thanks. At least I know that I'm not the only one in this position. I will follow up with VU too - let me know if you hear anything from your email.</p>
<p>Btw I just saw that on the Vandy blog it says "... nearly all merit awards have been awarded."</p>
<p>I thought that $5,000 scholarship was guaranteed? What if we haven't yet designated Vandy as our top choice?</p>
<p>If you haven't already designated Vanderbilt as your first choice, I don't think they can award this to you. It's been several years since we had this issue at our house, but the $5000 award for those not receiving other scholarships has been in place since either 2001 or 2002. I think you can count on it.</p>
<p>I wonder because I thought we had until May 30th to designate a final first choice!</p>
<p>I think you still have time to designate Vanderbilt as your top choice. At this point last year, my son was still deciding between two schools, so he changed his first choice from his EA school to undecided. He didn't designate Vanderbilt as the first choice until he definitely decided on them, and that wasn't until a day or two before the deadline for notifying schools that you have chosen to accept.</p>
<p>I think the NMF award is automatic if they are named first choice by the final deadline.</p>
<p>Most of you got estimates of financial aid awards that will only change if your circumstances change significantly. For example, if you applied for financial aid in January and your parents estimated their tax info, but it actually changed substantially and Vanderbilt notes this when the tax return is submitted, there could be a change. There can also be the additional award for NMF if you accept Vanderbilt and designate them as first choice with NM Corp. Things may be different now, but you might get a final financial aid notice in mid to late June.
Now don't start having panic attacks. It probably won't go down unless you/your parents significantly undersestimated things earlier - note the word significantly, meaning big money. If you get the additional NMF it should show up then. After you matriculate to Vanderbilt, you can expect the level of aid to continue, again contingent upon no substantial change in circumstance. In future years, you'll apply for aid by April 15 and you won't hear anything until mid-to late-June.<br>
Disclaimer - I'm speaking from experience and from info gleaned from questions asked of FA long ago. I'm not a final authoritative source.</p>
<p>thanks! any clue when deadline to change/finalize top school is?</p>
<p>ebegoun:</p>
<p>Read the page noted above. (go to page 3)</p>
<p>End of May to give notification of first choice, but note that if you have already notified them that a different school is the #1 choice, then you must make sure it is changed to undecided or Vanderbilt by the end of April. Then, if it stands as undecided at the end of April, you have until the end of May to give final notification that Vanderbilt is the #1.</p>
<p>NOTE: all that is from the point of view of the National Merit Corp. As far as I know, Vanderbilt does not "run out of" national merit funds, but perhaps you should call and confirm that they do not have earlier deadlines.</p>
<p>thanks, midmo!</p>
<p>Waitlisted on Monday.</p>
<p>I don't think it's worth pursuing though.</p>