@txmom19 From the NMSC website:
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=436
“Checks for one-time nonrenewable awards are mailed in early September. Checks for four-year awards are mailed to colleges that operate on the semester system in early September and January. Colleges that operate on the quarter system receive payments in early September, December, and March.”
Hope that helps!
@PickachuRocks15. Thank you!!
@txmom19. Yes, it is sent to the colleges directly. We were told by the financial aid office of my son’s college that NMSC scholarship should be posted on 8th day of school … but we have not seen anything yet and he has not received any reply from NMSC for his email 4 days ago.
Edit: Just saw PikachuRocks15 post. Thank you for the information. I don’t know why the financial aid office said 8th day of school … weird.
@ATTX I called them (NMSC) today. They said that they mailed the checks out on the 1st of September and that it takes about 2 weeks for it to reach colleges and for them to process.
@txmom19. Thank you.
Was just coming to check and see what you guys knew! Will wait anxiously for middle of the month and then see!
My son’s college marked the money was received yesterday (9/10).
Nice to hear, still hasn’t posted to my daughters account, but school was closed for the hurricane. Won’t have her bug them until later this week.
How are the National Merit Semi-Finalists eliminated from the group that advances to Finalist? The advancement rate is about 90%, so I am curious what aspects of an application hold a semi-finalist back.
@MadisonWI , the majority of those that do not advance just don’t bother to fill out their qualifying paperwork. Others do not advance because they have 2-3 C’s on their transcript, or worse. Some have a disciplinary record. It used to be that some did not get a qualifying SAT but that is out the window currently.
@MadisonWI A few things might prevent a SF from advancing to F. First, a SF might not complete the application. Next, a SF might have something in their academic or behavioral record that would eliminate him/her from finalist standing. It’s been said that having one or more C grades could be a factor that prevents a SF from advancing. Also, in prior years, if a SF was not able to submit an SAT/ACT test score that met a certain threshold, that would be an eliminating factor. This year, NMSC is test blind, so a lot will depend on the essay, grades, activities and letter of rec portions of the application.
Anyone else not seen their National Merit money come into their school accounts? Sigh.
@KKreis I’ve read in past threads that NMSC tends to send the money late. Your school being on a quarter schedule vs. semester schedule impacts the payment schedule.
“Checks for one-time nonrenewable awards are mailed in early September. Checks for four-year awards are mailed to colleges that operate on the semester system in early September and January. Colleges that operate on the quarter system receive payments in early September, December, and March.”
Once it’s October and if there still isn’t any confirmation from the school, it’s worth contacting NMSC about the scholarship payment to see if there were any problems there. According to the NMSC website, schools have to verify enrollment, so make sure that you are listed as enrolled full-time with the school.
NMSC Scholarship Check Info: https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=436
Hope that helps!
Thanks. Daughter just heard from school fin aid that they have not received the check yet. Sigh
Can you let me know what number you used to reach them? School says they still have not received the check.
The phone number is listed on their web page: Phone: (847) 866-5100
Thanks, called and they were so helpful. College has not. So check was mailed on 1 September. So the school likely has had the check since 8 September. They have acknowledged they have the check but haven’t been able to process it, and say they will need at least another week? Oh my. It takes them a month and a half to post a check? Wouldn’t care if it was going back to them any way, but she is getting it all back. Sigh.
I feel for you. We had a problem where the school supposedly didn’t receive a check from an outside (not NMSC) scholarship. After waiting for 2+ mos for it to post, the outside agency stopped payment and sent a second check.
For anyone who cares! LOL She got her money into her account on 19 October. Sigh. I think I ma now officially done with bird dogging her college application process!
Keep your eyes open. We received a letter from NMSC today. It is an “Online Scholarship Renewal Application for the 2021-2022 Academic Year.” Deadline for renewal is March 24.