how does one get to be a National Merit Finalist, and how much is the scholarship?

Paying for College National Merit Aid
1

<p>how does one get to be a National Merit Finalist, and how much is the scholarship? I am an incoming freshman in high school, and am totally new to this. Would someone please explain this to me?</p>

2

<p>When you’re a junior, you can take the PSAT exam (not all students are given this test, so check with your school).</p>

<p>If your score is high enough for your state’s cut-off, then you become a National Merit Semi-Finalist - you find out around Sept of senior year.</p>

<p>If you make NMSF, then you fill out the forms, take the SAT, your school sends transcripts and writes a rec…if everything is ok, then you make finalist.</p>

<p>15,000 students make Finalist, but only 2500 are given a ONE TIME award of 2500 dollars. However, some schools give NMF scholarships if you attend that college.</p>

3

<p>If you read the information here… you will get an overview of the program and the way one qualifies – [National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation](<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/]National”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/)</p>

<p>Here is the page with links to potential scholarship amounts – [National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - NMSP](<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#merit]National”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#merit)</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>x-posted with mom2 ;)</p>

4

<p>It depends. There are the official awards given out by NM, corporations, and some colleges. A lot of schools give out “unofficial” awards. Some schools (Alabama, Houston, Oklahoma, TAMU) give out near full rides to NMF.</p>