<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>I'm not accustomed to using these forums, so I apologize if I'm doing something wrong with my first post. </p>
<p>To cut to the point, I'm looking for some major salvation from one of you college connoisseurs. Although I have committed to a college, I don't think that the financial situation between my current college and my family will work out. I expected more merit money from said college due to my numbers, and didn't really apply to any others as this one was supposed to be my back up :.</p>
<p>I messed up early on - I didn't get my head in the game until it was a little too late, and most of the scholarship opportunities have passed me by, leaving me stuck between a rock and a hard place this late in the game.</p>
<p>I am a National Merit Finalist, with a 2340 on my SAT Is and a 34 on my ACT (if that helps anything). I've completed ~10 AP courses in highschool with scores of 4-5 on all of them. My GPA is a little lower than usual (~3.6), but my extracurricular activities are generally strong, and my essays were well written.</p>
<p>Are there any colleges that will even accept my application, let alone offer to give me some significant aid money? I'm looking to go into computer engineering, if that helps at all, and I'm generally willing to do whatever it takes.</p>
<p>If you have any questions about me, please post them here - I will be checking regularly as I do my other research. I'm posting this now because it seems like my discussions with my current college are just about to end, without any means of extending my financial aid grant.</p>
<p>Here’s the current list of schools with space still available, including availability of financial aid: [Space</a> Availability Survey Results 2012](<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/research/research-data/SpaceSurvey/Pages/SpaceSurveyResults.aspx]Space”>http://www.nacacnet.org/research/research-data/SpaceSurvey/Pages/SpaceSurveyResults.aspx) </p>
<p>mom2collegekids (a frequent and helpful poster here!) may have information as to whether University of Alabama is still offering space to National Merit kids, and I know my kiddo was contacted by University of Oklahoma in the summer last year letting her know that she could still be a NM Scholar with them. </p>
<p>As you may know, National Merit awards vary – many, many schools don’t offer anything for National Merit, others may have $1000, others may supplement this up to almost a full ride. If you’ve lost your guidebook of schools that (traditionally) have participated here’s a link to same: <a href=“http://nationalmerit.org/student_guide.pdf[/url]”>http://nationalmerit.org/student_guide.pdf</a> Look on page 18 of the .pdf. It’s too late for the NM and corporate-sponsored awards, I would think, so concentrate on the colleges.</p>
<p>This is going to take a lot of communicating from you to the school – are they still accepting students? Is there scholarship/aid money available? Are you eligible for need-based aid? Did you complete a FAFSA? </p>
<p>Some things to research, as you contact schools…HOWEVER…you said you have committed to your first college. Have you sent a deposit and enrolled? As you are doing your research, check and see what the rules are regarding your first school. </p>
<p>It is late in the game. Some students at this point would take a gap year and re-apply next year, after a year of working and saving. However, if there is any possibility of you attending a school that would be willing to offer you National Merit monies after the deadline, you do need to attend starting next year…so research like crazy to make the best decision for you.</p>
<p>Do you know whether you provided a designated first choice college to National Merit, or if you put in undecided?</p>
<p>If you put “undecided” then you have to May 31st to name a first choice school. You would certainly have to check with the school to be sure, but I would guess schools like University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Alabama, maybe Texas A&M, etc. might work with you and still provide their NM scholarships.</p>
<p>You need to name a first choice school by May 31st. So fax that in as soon as you figure this all out.</p>
<p>I just sent you a PM with the contact info for the Executive Director of Admissions at Alabama. Mary Spiegel may be able to still give you Bama’s big NMF scholarship, but send that email NOW. </p>
<p>Be very polite in your letter. Ms. Spiegel is a very nice lady and does respond to emails.</p>
<p>I included my name in the PM. Tell Ms. Spiegel that I told you to contact her. If you want me to pre-read your letter, I can do that.</p>