<p>University of South Carolina
NMF are awarded the Lieber Scholarship..$6,000 annually plus a laptop
USC allows stacking of scholarships and it seems to me most students get more than one.
<strong><em>USC makes any scholarship recipient eligible for instate tuition rates</em></strong>*even that $6,000 will go a long way.</p>
<p>add to list: Wayne State U Michigan – Honors University Scholar – tuition, room/board, books, study abroad, laptop computer</p>
<p>U of S Carolina
Lieber Scholarship for residents and non residents
Annual Value: Up to $6,000
Four-Year Value: Up to $24,000</p>
<p>From U of S Carolina website: The University annually awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. The competition for these awards begins when you take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year of high school. The award is up to $6,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average. To be eligible, National Merit Finalist must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice on the National Merit application. National Achievement Finalists must send a copy of the National Achievement Finalist certificate to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The National Hispanic Recognition Program will send us the names of the scholars selected for the program. No scholarship application is required.<br>
All nonresidents students receiving this scholarship receive a reduced tuition benefit as well."</p>
<p>U S Carolina must have removed the laptop benefit. </p>
<p>I'm still trying to find out if "reduced tuition benefit" means "in state rate" or just some other kind of reduction. It's not clear. In state tuition is 3700 but I don't know if the "up to" 6k per year "value" is including the oos tuition reduction.</p>
<p>University of Vermont does give a partial scholarship to non-residents:</p>
<p>Green Mountain Scholarship for NMF</p>
<pre><code>* Entering first year applicants are eligible and a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average is required for renewal, as well as enrollment in at least twelve credits per semester.
* Designated for Out-of-State Residents who have advanced to "finalist" status within the National Merit Corporation's annual competition and who have exemplary academic records.
* Recipients must demonstrate their status as a "finalist" and have declared UVM as their college of choice with the National Merit Corporation.
* Recipients are awarded a four-year scholarship of up to $10,000 annually.
</code></pre>
<p>Unfortunately, the OOS tuition for Vermont is $25k. You'd think they would waive OOS!!!</p>
<p>And.... some are for state residents only. </p>
<p>Check each school's website for details -- usually listed under "scholarships" or "financial aid" -- or try searching "national merit finalist" in school's search engine.</p>
<p>Abilene Christian University
Alberston College of Idaho
Albion College
Alfred University
Alma College
American University
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Austin College
Ball State University
Baylor University
Birmingham-Southern College
Boston College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Bowling Green State University
Bradley University
Brandeis University
Brigham Young University
Bucknell University
Butler University
Calvin College
Carleton College
Case Western Reserve University
Centre College
Claremont McKenna College
Clarkson University
Clemson University
College of the Holy Cross
College of Wooster
Colorado College
Colorado State University
Concordia College (MN)
Davidson College
Denison University
DePauw University
Drake University
Drexel University
Earlham College
Emory University
Florida State University
Franklin and Marshall College
Furman University
George Washington University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Gonzaga University
Gordon College
Goshen College
Grinnell College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamilton College
Hamline University
Harding University
Harvey Mudd College
Hendrix College
Hillsdale College
Hope College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Iowa State University
Ithaca College
John Carroll University
Johns Hopkins University
Kalamazoo College
Kansas State University
Kenyon College
Knox College
Lehigh University
Lewis & Clark College
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Tech University
Luther College
Macalester College
Marquette University
Messiah College
Miami University
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Mississippi College
Mississippi State University
Montana State University Bozeman
New York University
North Carolina State University
North Dakota State University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Occidental College
Ohio State University, all campuses
Ohio University
Oklahoma State University
Oral Roberts University
Oregon Sate University
Pacific Lutheran University
Pennsylvania State University, all campuses
Pepperdine University
Pomona College
Purdue University, all campuses
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhodes College
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rutgers
The State University of New Jersey, all campuses
St. Cloud State University
Saint Louis University
St. Olaf College
Samford University
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Seattle Pacific University
South Dakota State University
Southern Methodist University
Southwest Missouri State University
Southwestern University
Taylor University
Tennessee Technological University
Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
Transylvania University
Trinity University
Truman State University
Tufts University
Tulane University
University of Akron
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Central Florida
University of Chicago
University of Cincinnati
University of Dallas
University of Dayton
University of Delaware
University of Evansville
University of Florida
University of Georgia Foundation
University of Houston
University of Idaho
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Maryland, all campuses
University of Memphis
University of Miami
University of Minnesota, all campuses
University of Mississippi
University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Missouri-Rolla
University of Montana
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Dakota
University of Oklahoma, all campuses
University of Oregon
University of Puget Sound
University of Redlands
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
University of St. Thomas (MN)
University of the South
University of South Carolina, all campuses
University of South Dakota
University of South Florida
University of Southern California
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Tennessee, all campuses, National Alumni Association
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Tulsa
University of Utah
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wyoming
Ursinus College
Utah State University
Valparaiso University
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Wabash College
Wake Forest University
Washington and Lee University
Washington State University
Washington University
West Virginia University Foundation, Inc.
Western Carolina University
Western Michigan University
Western Washington University
Wheaton College (IL)
Whitman College
Willamette University
Wofford College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Wright State University
Xavier University</p>
<p>Fabulous information, thanks for sharing that. 2 quick questions?</p>
<p>I know this is a hard question w/such a comprehensive list, but is there any indication of which schools are most highly regarded (academically, etc.) among this group? </p>
<p>Also--I went on the NMF website--it seems that to qualify you need a combo of grades plus high PSAT. My son's had all Bs freshman year but will probably ace the PSAT & is planning on great grades here on out (decided he will in fact study...). Didn't know if you'd need straight As all the way through HS to qualify as a NMF? He's pretty motivated, especially after hearing about the possibility of 'free ride' for NMF.</p>
<p>Thanks SO much for any thoughts/info. :-)</p>
<p>AzSt:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Residents:
o $12,500 annual award renewable for three additional years provided you satisfy Renewal Criteria.
o $50,000 total four-year value.</p></li>
<li><p>Nonresidents:
o $21,500 annual award renewable for three additional years provided you satisfy Renewal Criteria.
o $86,000 total four-year value.</p></li>
<li><p>This award includes the college-sponsored, corporate-sponsored or NMSC-sponsored scholarship award.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>2006 Tuition rate for OOS is: $15,700 so the difference can be used towards room (4200), books (750), etc.</p>
<p>jolynne</p>
<p>No, you don't need "all A's" to qualify. Although there is no "set GPA" required, the unwritten rule seems to be "good grades". Obviously they don't want to award to someone who has a bunch of "D's" on their report card. </p>
<p>There is also no set "SAT score" but, again, the general rule is that they want to see that the PSAT score was not a "fluke". So, if a kid gets a 2000 SAT score (or above), they are probably fine.</p>
<p>From the list, it's hard to know "rankings". Frankly, the very top schools just don't bother giving $$$ since so many of their students are already NMF (like the ivies). </p>
<p>Since most NMF also qualify for a school's honors college, it may not be fair to just simply look at a school's ranking since participation in a good honors college is worth a lot (such as at AzSt, which has a great honors college but the school doesn't have a top tier ranking)</p>
<p>I know there's already a "merit aid" stickie on page one of PF, but it would be helpful for those qualifying for NM (probably not my D, but so many others) to have this list easily referenced as well.
LOL, I'm sure mods don't have time for this, but an opening "reference library" on each <em>main</em> forum's page one would be helpful for those FAQ's raised by new CC members.:)</p>
<p>jlauer
S is at U South Carolina right now. Laptop benefit to NMF getting the Lieber is alive and well. This year it was an IBM Thinkpad,with additional bells and whistles.
Instate tuition rate is the applicable tuition rate for scholarship winners of any amount over $500/year,NMF or not.</p>
<p>cathymee</p>
<p>Is your son "out of state"? Also, was his award 6k, in state tuition rate plus a lap top? If so, U S Carolina needs to clarify its website. It's odd that the Lieber is the only one that says "up to 6k" while the other ones don't have that added.</p>
<p>Thanks for that helpful info, jlauer! I think these financial aid possibilities (i.e. son can have more freed-up money for car!) will be motivating for him! I've just got to figure out where these schools stand academically/prestige-wise, etc. so we can assess it all.
Thanks again!</p>
<p>University of OK has just added the following to their standard NMF package:</p>
<p>1500 towards study abroad
1500 towards lap top computer of your choice.</p>
<p>Also, if you graduate a semester or a year early, you can use that time in grad school/med school/law school at U of OK</p>
<p>Residents get the same but obviously don't get/need the OOS waiver.</p>
<hr>
<p>The following scholarship package is guaranteed to every non-resident National Merit Finalist who names OU as his/her college of first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation:</p>
<p>NMF Scholarship: Total of below $76,500* (plus the new additions above!)</p>
<p>Resident Tuition Waiver $10,000
Eligibility criteria same as for Non-Resident Tuition Waiver
$1,000 per semester/$2,000 per year for five years
Resident tuition exceeding $1,000 each semester is charged to your billing account</p>
<p>Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (estimated) $39,500
Must maintain a 2.80 cumulative GPA
Must be a full-time student
May be used for five years (fall, spring and summer)
Waives 100% of Non-Resident Tuition</p>
<p>Oklahoma Academic Scholars Program $22,000
Must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA
Must be a full-time student
$2,750 per semester / $5,500 per year for four years
Funds will be deposited into your billing account
Academic expenses (Fees, Books, Room, and Board) are charged to your billing account and covered up to $2,750 each semester</p>
<p>National Merit Cash Stipend $5,000</p>
<p>Total Stipend includes any award funded by National Merit
Must maintain "good academic standing"
This award will be paid over a four-year period.</p>
<p>Total $76,500*
*If you receive outside scholarships, those awards will be added to the above $76,500 offer</p>
<p>U of Texas - Dallas</p>
<p>Academic Excellence Scholarships for National Merit Scholars</p>
<pre><code>The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recognizes U.T.D. as a collegiate sponsor. National Merit Finalists that list U.T.D. as their first choice with NMSC and their names are received by U.T.D. from NMSC as a candidate will automatically receive eight semesters of support for tuition and mandatory fees, a $2,500 cash award per semester ($5,000 per year) via a combination of U.T. Dallas’s Academic Excellence Scholarship funds and an NMSC Scholarship, and a $1,000 per year contribution toward rental expenses at the Waterview park student apartment complex for students who choose to live on campus.
</code></pre>
<p>OOS students who receive this scholarship are considered to be in-state for tuition and fees.</p>
<p>U of South Dakota - National Merit Finalists:</p>
<p>Scholarships awarded to resident and non-resident finalists who are first-time freshmen.</p>
<p>Eligibility: Finalists who specify The U as first choice to the National Merit Corporation.</p>
<p>Amount: Resident tuition, fees, room and board: $8,500 per year. </p>
<p>Approximate total value - $34,000 over a four year period.</p>
<p>Terms: Four years of eligibility.</p>
<p>University of Evansville</p>
<p>National Merit Finalists will receive a full-tuition scholarship if they list UE as their college choice with the National Merit Corporation by April 1 of their senior year.</p>
<p>This is incredible, thank you for all the information. I know what I will be doing this Labor Day!</p>
<p>The possibilities are great, but this is assuming I become a finalist. I'm gonna be very sad if by some sick twist of fate, I don't advance to finalist. </p>
<p>Also, it is so difficult to find the right balance of a school that will give a lot of money for national merit and a good school that won't give that much money. National merit now allows me to get into better schools, but my parents just want me to go to OSU where I can most likely get a full ride. Blah.</p>
<p>The packet that came with semifinalist notification listed all the schools that "are expected to offer merit scholarship awards in 2007 for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution." Schools like Pittsburgh and Lehigh (both of which I am interested in), along with many other very good schools like Rice and Emory, are on this list, but their websites don't make tell much if anything about possible NMF scholarships. I feel like I'm taking a huge gamble when I declare my first choice school.</p>
<p>I don't think you have to declare your first choice until you decide where you want to go. I know you can revise it up to a certain date.</p>
<p>University of Cincinnati makes it hard to figure out what NMF kids really get. First, they waive the in state tuition in addition these kids qualify for a number of other scholarships that usually eliminates about half of the out of state portion too. They also get a free computer and get 1/3 off all room and board.</p>
<p>Bottom line: combined with other scholarships such as their Cincinnatus, which is readily available to NMF kids, these kids get the equivilant of almost free tuition plus a computer. It also isn't that hard to keep the scholarship too.</p>