Early finalist notification?

Paying for College National Merit Aid
1

<p>Today my daughter received a letter from our VA House of Delegates rep stating "Congratulations on being names as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist." Did they mean "semi-finalist" instead? Thought official notification went out late February.</p>

2

<p>I think they meant semi-finalist. I don’t think NMCorp has told anyone who has made NMF yet.</p>

<p>You won’t be notified until February, but you’ll “know” by mid January.</p>

<p>At the beginning of January, NMCorp sends out rejection letters. So, if you haven’t gotten a rejection letter by mid January, you’ll know that you are a finalist.</p>

<p>BTW…anyone who gets a rejection and feels that the rejection was unfair can appeal.</p>

3

<p>Since the percentage of kids who go from semifinalist to finalist is so high, I’m guessing that colleges assume you are going to be a finalist anyways. They do this most likely to inform you of the benefits you’ll get when you become a finalist, since you’ll have already applied by the time you actually get notified of your finalist status.</p>

4

<p>I’ve searched the thread and NMSQ website, but I’m not finding my answer – is the “Hooray, you’re a finalist” letter mailed to the school or the student’s home? Is there a traditional date they’re mailed by? Guidance has been…less than attentive through this process. I know to hope for nothing (the “you didn’t make it”) letter in January, but at what point in Feb, if all signs are good, should that notice arrive? Also, kiddo will be updating her resume for college auditions to be held the first weekend of Feb (she’s one of those nutty theatre kids…). If she hasn’t heard a “no” by then, can she update the resume to remove the “semi”…or does she have to wait until the letter finds its way to her?</p>

5

<p>NMSC will mail the letter to both school and student’s home. You can find the information here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>@ gongho – THANK YOU! I knew the information was out there. Appreciate the link!</p>

7

<p>This is exactly what I needed to know! Thanks all!</p>