@lkg4answers i am unsure. You likely could find that info on their website
2500 given but I have no idea how they choose.
According to the student guide there are (2500) $2500 NMSC scholarships. They reference a distribution across every state. I think the problem with “refusing” the $2500 one is that you are only “in the running” for the college sponsored one - there is no guarantee that you will receive it. Bird in hand vs two in the bush… The college-sponsored ones can be as little as $500 x 4 or as much as $2000 x 4. For example, Northwestern current offers $2000 scholarships to its recipients, but starting this Fall (naturally) the new scholarship will be $500. I will never gripe about merit aid offered, but the amounts will be a determining factor in her decision.
@mathkids: What did you think of UTD? Or is that something I need to ask in a separate forum? After reading a few “what are my chances” posts I am starting to think we were advised to reach a little farther than we should have and might want to consider another “safety” option. And what do the designations S20, etc mean? I tried to find a “read this first” post for info on acronyms but I did not see one. Son GRADUATING in 20 or 20 years old?
My son officially received the NMF letter today. He plans to attend UTD next year. Is there anything else we need to do to apply for the NM $2500 scholarship. And if we don’t get the $2500, does the school just sponsor my son with a $3k NM Scholarship plus their generous package? Thanks for your help. Grateful for you all.
I think that accepting the $2500, if awarded, does not necessarily affect a student’s eligibility to be awarded a college nm scholarship (which was what you were suggesting earlier). The kid may not ultimately be able to have both but you need to check with the college your child plans on attending for their specific policies on how they deal with that situation. UCF for example, specifically advises students to accept the $2500 award and somehow they work it out on their end adjusting scholarship amounts.
S20 = son graduating in 2020
We loved UTD at least for computer science. You can find a lot about UTD by reading through
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/university-texas-generic/
or even in this (NMSF) forum (a few posts below this one UTD vs Alabama)
I suggest contacting the honors college and arranging a personalized visit. We found it extremely helpful.
@3scoutsmom has S18 already at UTD and S20 who got accepted there as well, both NMF.
S20 is son graduating in 2020.
@CincoDad No there’s nothing else you need to do. If your child is offered the the $2.5k from NM accept it, if not no worries UTD will give it to him. **All ** UTD NMFs have exactly the same award package for that year.
There is nothing specific you have to do to be eligible for the $2500 award. If your son doesn’t receive one, I believe he will get a little bit over 2.5K from UTD distributed over the 4 years. He will get the very generous merit scholarship in both cases.
Thank you @3scoutsmom and @mathKids !
I apologize in advance if this is repetitive but I guess I don’t understand completely how it works. In the case of UCF, for example, you would have to list them as first choice to receive the NMF benefits from them. When that is done, is the student removed from the $2500 scholarship? Or do they remain in the running and then if they receive it, they need to check with the school how that affects the school’s package? Are students notified of this prior to May 1st? Or do they commit to a school and then find out later about the scholarship. Thanks for your help. This has been way more complicated then I could have ever imagined. This forum has really been a lifesaver.
My understanding is that starting on March 1, NMSC will start finding the best match for ~1100 corporate-sponsored NMS base on their parents’ employers info filled in NMSC applications, no separate application needed. But some companies also provide special scholarships for commended candidates which does need to apply separately through the company.
At end of March, the rest of ~14000 NMF are competing for the ~2500 $2500 NMSC scholarship, which is about 1 out of 6 ratio. NMSC has committee working with high schools to identify the most outstanding winners.
In april and may, the rest of the ~11500 NMF are competing for the ~4000 college-sponsored NMS.
I agree with @mathKids, on 2018 annual report pg 40, there are two numbers listed for each sponsor. The 1st number (awards from institute) is always equal or larger than the second number (awards from college).
For example 175* UTD (145),
tells us 145 NMS are sponsored by UTD, 175-145=30 are sponsored by either NMSC or a corporation, the other two award types. But UTD with work with those 30 non-college-sponsored NMS to make up the same scholarship package as the 145 college-sponsored NMS so no need to reject other 2 types of awards.
Some NMF may get college-sponsored award before 1st choice college vote 5/1 deadline in first few rounds then changing 1st choice college after that won’t make you qualify for the scholarship from new choice school so think and vote.
At the end, about half ~7600 out of ~15000 NMF become NMS who win scholarships.
MA got letter yesterday. No word from school.
@2tiredmomma This page has a lot of info about UCF and National Merit. https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/national-merit/
There is a link for the 2019 newsletter on that page as well. It looks like you just have to list UCF as your #1 pick with NMSC by May 31. As for other scholarships like that $2500 NM one you mentioned, I don’t believe they stack with Benacquisto but you can check with Luke to be sure. For example, in-state students likely qualify for the Bright Futures scholarships and that amount comes out of bill before the remainder of the bill is sent to the FL State Legislature to be covered. I posted this on another thread… http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22549622/#Comment_22549622
This process is anything but straightforward.
@PPuggle Thank you.
My employer has a company sponsored NM scholarship. They do require students to apply during their junior year, although I don’t know why. The deadline at my company for students in the class of 2021 is either past or approaching. It has been publicized on our intranet. Since I work 75% part time, my DS21 is not eligible to apply although we anticipate based on his 226 SI he will be a NMSF next year.
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My PAST employer has a company sponsored NM scholarship. They also required students to apply during their junior year. Which I did for two of my daughters. One of them made through NMF (seeing letter in mail informed delivery today; yay!). So I guess this is normal process for participating employers.
BUT just last month I left my employer. I don’t know how this will be treated at NMSC. Will my daughter still be able to get employer scholarship (it was supposed $1000 per year for 4 years). Can anyone who left their sponsoring employer left company and care to share their experience?
Still nothing from school, but I do see a mail coming in from NMSC in today’s Informed Delivery. I want to call our postmaster to open the letter and read it to me. 
Everything regarding sports, such as athletes signing up with colleges are always posted on FB or twitted out with no delays. But no one bothers to say anything about National Merit, not even to inform the students or parents … ugh …
DFW area.