Decent National Merit Finalist Scholarships at Top Schools

Paying for College
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Although there are many threads about the full-ride and full-tuition scholarships different universities offer, I haven’t found one with the large scholarships that aren’t full-ride or full-tuition. There are plenty of great schools offering considerable scholarships for National Merit Semifinalists, National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Scholars, or National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. I’ll list the ones I know below, and if anyone knows of others, please leave them here! (If you have a link, please add that as well to make it easier for everyone to find the specific scholarship)

University of South Carolina: $10,000 yearly for resident National Merit Finalists or National Hispanic Recognition Scholars https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/undergraduate_admissions/tuition_scholarships/scholarships/sc_residents/index.php $6,000 yearly and a tuition reduction (comparable to in-state tuition) for nonresident National Merit Finalists or National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/undergraduate_admissions/tuition_scholarships/scholarships/nonresidents/

Boston University: $20,000 yearly for National Merit Finalists or National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars http://www.bu.edu/admissions/apply/tuition-aid-scholarships/scholarships/merit/

University of Alabama: full-tuition for 5 years, housing for one year, $3,500 stipend yearly, $2,000 for research or international study, and $1,000 technology fund for National Merit Finalists http://scholarships.ua.edu/nationalscholars/ full-tuition for 4 years for 4 years for National Merit Semifinalists http://scholarships.ua.edu/nationalscholars/

University of Southern California: half-tuition (approximately $26,000/year) for National Merit Finalists https://ahf.usc.edu/merit-scholars/merit-scholarships/

Northeastern University: up to $30,000 yearly for National Merit Finalists or National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars https://www.northeastern.edu/admissions/cost/scholarships/

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http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/

Scroll down to the bottom.

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@shortie17
Besides the list above, I will add that I think a lot of colleges and universities like to enroll NMFs at their school and those who apply for competitive scholarship with NMF status have an increased chance of getting a competitive scholarship as well. If a student has other stats, activities, etc that are attractive to that school and the school is a good fit, NMF will help.

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@shortie17 You begin by saying "Although there are many threads about the full-ride and full-tuition scholarships different universities offer, I haven’t found one with the large scholarships that aren’t full-ride or full-tuition. " It would seem like you are or would be looking for a full-ride. I am not trying to be a smart … but i wanted to confirm your question. We all know what assume stands for.

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@nw2this Thanks for that list.

My nephew I understood attended the University of Florida under the NMS program. I want to say it was a full ride + stipend. I remember my brother saying it was not costing him anything. I did not see the University of Florida on there. Strange.

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@MassDaD68 The STATE of Florida provides THAT NMF scholarship to instate students attending any FL public univ

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Ah. Ok. Thanks @mom2collegekids I could only wish my son could get a full boat. I am so envious of parents whose children obtain these. No doubt it was earned. But still…who likes to have to pay all this money for college?

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The list is not up to date. UF should be on list at the bottom. Updates are sometimes posted here:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-an-updated-compilation-p65.html

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Again, it is not UF but a state scholarship program for NMF. Separate application, separate admission decisions. If you are going to add UF to your list, you need to add the other 21 public schools in Florida as they all ‘offer’ (accept) the state dollars. And it is only for students who graduated from a Florida high school (or qualify as a resident, perhaps a boarding school student or a member of a military family might qualify)

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If my kid didn’t want to major in Int’l Relations/East Asian Studies, I would really have pushed my kid to apply to UCF Burnett Honors College under the National Merit Finalist Scholarship and get a full ride, but UCF does not seem to weak in his area of intended major. Arghh . . . Only if he wanted to go into a hospitality management major or some engineering major. They really do seem to have the best full ride national merit finalist scholarship for OOS.

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we got national merit finalist, and need to choose full ride to:
U of KY, U of Central FL, or UTD (near Dallas)— anyone have tips for good Comp Science?

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@2sunny
Have you considered University of Alabama? I think they are rated higher than UK. We toured both and we liked UA better. They have a lot of different kinds of programs for honors students. I know they had a couple for people interested in computer science. While I think entrance to Honors program is automatic for NMF, they also have additional competitive programs which I thought sounded very interesting.

Here is one-
"CBHP

The Computer-Based Honors Program at The University of Alabama has been cited by the National Institute of Education as one of the six most intriguing honors programs in the United States and was the first university-wide undergraduate research program in America.

The CBHP gives outstanding students majoring in any field the opportunity to work one-on-one with professors while applying computing technology to a research project in their major field of study. Whether you want to be a doctor, lawyer, chemical engineer, marketing executive, or English professor, applying research skills and computing technology to your career field is essential for success.

During their freshman year, students complete an intensive series of courses on complex problem solving, the use of computers, project management and research fundamentals. These essential skills enable students to quickly learn and adapt to technologies required for faculty-directed research projects. Throughout their sophomore to senior years, CBHP students select a research project in which the student will work closely with a faculty member who will serve as a project director. Students will typically work on projects in areas related to their academic discipline; however, they may elect to work in an unrelated field to challenge themselves and broaden their exposure to academic research."

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@momofsmartdancer Unfortunately it is too late for CBH. Also, UKy is truly a full ride, whereas UA still leaves $12-15,000/yr.

@2sunny Sorry, no answers. You might get more exposure and feedback asking on the parents forum.

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<<
whereas UA still leaves $12-15,000/yr.
<<<

Not really, especially since this is a CS student

First year, housing is included and there is also a $3500 per year stipend, plus 2500 for CS/engineering.

Net costs for first year is very minimal.

Net costs for years 2-4 after receiving the $6k would be less than $10k.

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@mom2collegekids Is it too late for CBH for a NMF?

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@mom2collegekids Good point. I forgot about the engineering scholarship. But from full ride to $10,000 might still be too much. Maybe not, though, so good to consider.

@Madison85 Absolutely too late. Finalist weekend was this weekend.

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We knew about AL, and there 2 in AL with Full rides (also the Huntsville) Our costs would be AIRFARE, books.
Only 1 within driving time is KY (brand new dorms in KY) and the U of Central FL has full ride, but very crowded (45 min in line to buy books). Have not checked the Ranking on AL, but both FL and KY are ranked 90

Still waiting on Carnegie Mellon (#1 in world, tied with MIT !!)

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Not that I give much credence to ranking, but AL is ranked above both. UKy is ranked above UCF. But ranking is relative and not how I would recommend making a decision.

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Applied to U Central FL & U of KY for Full Rides/Comp. Science. Per US News, AL is ranked lower than both KY and FL (but rankings do NOT tell the whole story, since you need to see about jobs/Interns in area)

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@2sunny you have the funds for Carnegie Mellon but not for a few air plane tickets full ride/close to full ride schools? Or are you expecting a full ride at CM too?