BU Presidential Scholarship/National Merit mistake

Paying for College
1

Hello all,

I have somewhat of a problem that was caused by my own doing. I wrongly assumed that all schools had their deadline for you to designate them as your first choice for National Merit at the same time, May 1. However, I just found out that the Boston University National Merit Finalist scholarship is actually March 1st. I was accepted yesterday and there is a possibility I will attend.

Do you think I could call or email their financial aid office and talk to them about it/Is there any way I can switch them to my first choice now (after the deadline) and still get the scholarship? I know some financial aid offices are more strict and others are more lenient. I’m not sure if this type of deadline is extremely inflexible or if I have a chance of still getting the half tuition scholarship (which without I probably will not be able to attend).

Thank you all for your responses in advance!

2

I’d first make the switch on your NMF page/app. Then call. Just say you didn’t realize the deadline but that you’ve done it now. If they limit the number of NMF scholarships, then the 3/1 date might be significant. All you can do is call.