<p>It's kind of hard to explain my situation in one concrete question, so I'll just give you all the details. At one school I applied to, (the University of Tulsa) I had to designate them as a first-choice college with the National Merit Corporation by March 1st in order to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship there. I received the scholarship, but later I also received the Johnson Scholarship from Washington and Lee University, and I have decided to go there (W&L). Washington and Lee's website says they offer a $750 scholarship for National Merit Finalists.</p>
<p>My first-choice college is still listed as the University of Tulsa. Since I am not going there, can I switch my first-choice college to W&L and get the $750, despite the fact that I have already received an award from the University of Tulsa? Basically, if I decline one college-sponsored award, can I receive a different one?</p>
<p>Also, did the fact that I received a college-sponsored award take me out of the running for one of the $2500 awards? Of course, I didn't know that I would receive the Johnson Scholarship when I was applying for the Presidential Scholarship, so it was kind of necessary to select them as "first-choice," but oh well I guess.</p>
<p>Katmandu0071: Did you receive the Johnson that covers full tution, room, board, books, personal expenses up to around $5K per year, travel, etc. If so, why the worry about additional scholarship money? The honor? I may be mistaken, but I do not believe you will receive the Johnson as noted above + $2,500 from National Merit or $750. I believe that $2,500 or $750 will come off the top of the Johnson.</p>
<p>Actually, the Johnson does cover all of that, but there are a few sunk costs that remain after it is applied. All in all, they total (in my case) about $3000. I know that it isn’t much, but I still would like to get it covered if I can.</p>
<p>I completely understand that. I was under the impression that the Johnson covered everything in totality so much so that I read if a student is careful they can end up with money left over from their Johnson which is theirs to keep. If there is $3K left for you and you can get it covered, who wouldn’t? </p>
<p>fwiw, my S recently changed from Tulsa to another school (after not receiving their Presidential scholarship, though he was offered a “NM award” as part of his “package”) No problem with changing as long as you do it before 4/25 (one more day!) when official letters from NMSC go out. (I’ve talked to NMSC a couple times to be sure of this because S had to designate by March 1 for Tulsa, but planned to change after visiting #2 school–got offer from other school a couple days ago.)</p>
<p>Yes, Tulsa still awards very generous scholarships–but not to all NMFs. Their Presidential scholarship–a full ride (tuition, fees, room, board) is given to 40-50 a year. It requires a separate application+essay. I was told they had about 150 applicants last year (I’d guess even more this year). Presidential applicants who are not chosen also receive big awards (S was offered 30K per year, essentially full tuition). You don’t have to be a NMF to apply for the Presidential scholarship, though you must meet other SAT/ACT score and academic qualifications.
S is going to UTD–where automatic/non-competitive near-full-rides are available to NMFs from any state. (Total cost of attendance will be less than $1,500/year. Tulsa would’ve been around $10K–still a great deal, but we were looking for $.)</p>