@amsunshine thanks—that was my guess, but I thought I might be missing something!
@mm5678 it applies to the NMSC sponsored school awards that are the $2000 or so a year. The big offers that the schools give are not through the NMSC and do not prevent you from getting a NMSC scholar award; however, the schools still want you to put them down as #1 and typically give you until May 31 to do so—well after you have matriculated. This is how the schools and NMSC have explained it to me
@tnknes —once the NMSC awards a college sponsor award, you can change first choice, but the award doesn’t follow you, and you cannot get a different NMSC college award. The 25k awards are not from NMSC. Those are the school’s offer. We have schools that want earlier dates just so they bran give you an updated offer in writing prior to matriculation date of May 1, but D20 would still get their NMF award if she waited until after their preferred date as long as she had the school listed by May 31
@tnknes when I talked to NMSC, they said they start looking at those March 1 and you can change first choice up to the May 1 deadline OR until you receive a NMSC offered school sponsored award—whichever comes first. After that, you would forfeit the NMSC offered school sponsored award if you changed schools
@lkg4answers
No,
USC " sponsors " ,i.e pays for the $1000K/ year NMS award. That $$ is deposited from NMSF into a students burser accts once a semester,
in addition, to the 1/2 tuition scholarship, if the student has met all the requirements for that award.
A NMF who decides to accept the one time , more “prestigious” $2500 award from NMSF would not be eligible to relieve the USC sponsored $1000 / yr award.
@menloparkmom thanks. I will ask about it when we go to Explore USC. Did USC tell you about the $4000? They have consistently told us that if awarded Presidential, Trustee or Mork, the scholarship doesn’t stack with NM. There was no mention of a NM scholarship on top of the others. Do you know if there is a link to the $4K scholarship anywhere?
fyi-the $2500 nm scholarship offer will be mailed to student’s homes on march 26.
Is that the date the portals are updated, as well? Or are the portals updated sooner than that? (Last year, portals updated around the 20th or so).
Ok, so if I’m interpreting this correctly, unless a particular school requires designation by March 1 (BU and BC, for example), it would be best to wait until one gets all relevant decisions and decides on a school before designating a first choice, correct?
@amsunshine that is how I understood it and what we are doing, but we are also holding out for corporate info!
fyi
someone posted earlier that it is a mystery who receives the $2500 nm scholarships. here’s some clarifying info on the $2500. i interpret the below as saying that since all these kids have outstanding academic records, the essay and school recommendation play the biggest part in determining who gets the $2500 scholarship. activities, awards, and employment play a secondary role, with academics/test scores playing almost no role (since everyone is so strong there).
"In late January 2020, a committee of experienced college admission officers and high school counselors will meet to choose the winners of National Merit $2500 Scholarships. Committee teams analyze and evaluate all Finalists’ scholarship applications based on information supplied by students and their schools, which includes:
• the academic record;
• the school’s recommendation of the Finalist;
• a student essay;
• extracurricular activities; and
• scores on the PSAT/NMSQT.
Because every Semifinalist who qualifies as a Finalist has an excellent academic record and outstanding test scores, the school official’s characterization of the student and the student’s essay play an important part in the process of choosing Merit Scholar designees. Activities, awards, and employment are also considered. Winners in each state (or other selection unit) will be the Finalists judged by committee members to have the most distinguished credentials and potential for academic success, without consideration of financial need, college choice, or major and career plans."
i can’t find a date for when portals are updated, but you are right, they will be. i guess i’ll start obsessively checking the portal around the 20th (sigh).
I’m sorry but what portal are you talking about? Thanks.
@ATTX The NMSC portal - the one your kid set up in the beginning of the year. When and if your kid gets the scholarship, the portal will update to show a #4 with the scholarship indicated.
LOL, I have my calendar marked for the 19th. 
It doesn’t matter for National Merit Scholar if you put a college as your first choice or not. All finalists are considered and NM Foundation folks, a committee of college admissions officers and high schools principles/counselors pick 2,500 most distinguished finalists as National Scholars. In every group, there are some who standout more than others. This selection has no race quota or income quota and scholars are free to pick any college or major they want, even Ivy League schools and other T20 who doesn’t offer any merit scholarships.
Finalists who doesn’t make it have option to pick a participating college to make them a scholar. Ones going to top schools don’t get this choice.
@amsunshine. Thanks for the info. I did not know that!
Do you all think it will be a good idea to scan and upload the NMF Certificate as an update to T10 schools? do you think T10 schools would really care whether an applicant made a NMF or not? Thanks.
@aghaby I doubt T10 schools are concerned, but maybe it would be best for you to call the school(s) to find out. On the other hand, the NM sponsor schools my D has applied to have asked for a scan of the letter (as opposed to the certificate).
They don’t but its a valid update for a national level award so why not. They care about yield and renewing your vows even after getting a ticket to free rides at several schools is a good demonstration of interest and devotion.