I called them Monday to ask an unrelated question about first choice college selection and was told they are releasing most of them Thursday, not today. They said most because they actually predetermine alternates if some of the award recipients prove ineligible for the awards (going to school outside of the US, not going to school, going striaght to grad school, etc.).
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Thanks for the update
I still donāt understand school choice - itās a little confusing!!
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Even after speaking with them I found it confusing.
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Haha. I know. Itās confusing!
Especially with the naming of a first choice school - would that impact the award of 2500??
Exactly. I previously thought I understood that you only get one award so if you anticipate the college award being better you declare it first choice and try to get it instead of the NMSCās one time $2.5K awards. What he said Monday is they will give that award regardless of whether we declare first choice of a college first, and then itās up to the college whether they also still give an award or part of an award above that. (Whether this was always the case or only because the declaration was so close, I donāt know.) So from the NMSCās POV, the āonly oneā award would be thereās, but many colleges apparently still supplement if it is less. I feel like every time we read about it or talk to someone itās different. I had 3 people read their official documentation and we all came away unclear.
That sounds like a really odd conversation. Iām thinking he was referring to the larger scholarships that some colleges offer on their own (ex. Tulsa or Bama packages). Schools may offer those, targeting NMSF/NMF, on top of the NMSC scholarship.
A student can receive a NMSC scholarship ($2500), a corporate sponsored scholarship or a college sponsored scholarship. I donāt know that I have ever heard of a student receiving an NMSC scholarship and then having a college sponsored scholarship on top of it.
Yep, like I said you hear something different every time. I think his response is if the college still offers merit aid after you get a NMSC scholarship, itās not counted as a ācollege sponsored scholarshipā for their purpose ā itās just something else between the student and the school.
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Did anyone receive notification today?
Someone above said the awards come out Thursday.
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Did you name a top choice school? Wondering how not doing the is effecting the whole Cuniffe sitch?
I was a confused about that as well.My kid asked a Fordham admission counselor if the school had to be listed as a first choice and was assured that was not necessary. The admission counsel said their status as a NMF was even already noted in their file.
But now I wonder?
I donāt think itās related. No. Didnāt list Fordham.
Even after reading many answers, Iām still confused. My daughter has not listed a top choice school. If she gets a corporate offer in her portal tomorrow, does that mean she would not be able to accept a school-sponsored scholarship (like if she got into usc on Friday by some miracle)?
Basically, should she enter a first-choice school real quick? Weāve held back out of confusion over this whole thing.
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I mentioned it up thread but Iāll mention it again. I think this is part of the confusionā¦
The path is NMSF ā NMF ā NMS.
There are three pathways to becoming a NMS (Scholar)
- NMSC $2500 NMS Scholarship
- Corporate NMS scholarship
- College sponsored NMS scholarship
The college sponsored NMS scholarship is often not the big scholarships mentioned in this thread. At USC, the college sponsored NMS scholarship is $4K ($500/semester for 8 semesters). If a student is not awarded either 1 or 2 above and they are admitted to USC, they will receive both the half-tuition Presidential scholarship and the $4K USC NMS college sponsored scholarship.
The USC half-tuition Presidential scholarship is for NMF regardless of whether or not they become a NMS. Receiving the NMSC $2500 or a corporate scholarship does not impact whether a student receives the Presidential. It only impacts whether they receive the $4K.
Good luck on Friday. 
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Very helpful
Does that apply to schools like Fordham and BU, or USC specific?
And do you know which are announced tomorrow - cooperate or general?
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I canāt speak for the other schools. I know USC because we went through the process.
If you look at the websites of different schools, pay attention to if the scholarships are being awarded to NMSF (ex. Tulsa), NMF or NMS. Often the big scholarships are for NMF but there might be a sentence about a smaller NMS scholarship as well.
For what it is worth, if a NMF student receives a full-tuition Trustee scholarship at USC, they are also eligible for the NMSC $2500, a corporate scholarship or the $4K USC college sponsored NMS scholarship. The scholarships will stack at USC.
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Sorry, I missed this question when I first replied.
For USC, there is no rush to declare them as her #1 choice. A student has until May 31 to do that. However, the earlier you do it, the earlier USC will be notified and the earlier they will be able to update your financial aid package.
What types of scholarships are National Merit Finalists eligible for at USC?
Updated 02/02/2023 09:26 AM
If you are National Merit Finalist who has been admitted to USC and you designate USC as your first choice by the May 31 deadline, you will receive USCās half-tuition Presidential Scholarship.
Additionally, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation offers scholarships that are sponsored by colleges or corporations. Students will receive either a college sponsored scholarship or a corporate sponsored scholarship. Students offered a corporate sponsored scholarship, are not eligible for a college sponsored scholarship. Those decisions are made by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. If you have questions about the type of scholarship you are receiving, please visit the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, or call (847) 866-5100.
Once you designate USC as your first choice, we will update your award summary within four weeks. The award notification will provide additional information regarding how the new scholarship will affect your other scholarships and/or financial aid.
Thank you! I must have read similar information a dozen times, but this is the first time it has gotten through my skull. I get it. 
Can you please volunteer to send NMSC a revision to their documentation for the benefit of clueless parents like me?
Thanks for the good wishes on Friday. The chances are slim to none for her, but that little glimmer of hope is alive.
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Thank you indeed! Very helpful clarification of the process.
We are waiting on BU, but as of a few days ago, itās likely all moot. D23 is now determined to enroll at McGill, rendering her ineligible for any NM scholarship. Itās been a ride, and Iāve appreciated having this forum as a valuable resource! Iāll still be lurking, and virtually rooting for you all.
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Yes, thank you for breaking it down.