<p>I applied to USC (my dream school) and I'm also a National Achievement Semifinalist (black students who scored well on the PSAT) who named USC as my first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Am I eligible for the Presidential Half Tuition Scholarship if I become a National Achievement Finalist, or is that strictly for National MERIT finalists? On the website it say merit, but other places have said that national achievement finalists can get it too, but that they don't put it on the website. Is this true?</p>
<p>USC NMF scholarship is strictly National Merit Finalist. For sure.</p>
<p>Here is a discussion about national Hispanic scholarships, many of those will also apply to national achievement, since they are typically trying to attract high scoring minorities:</p>
<p><a href=“Colleges offering scholarships to National Hispanic Scholars - Hispanic Students - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/hispanic-students/735291-colleges-offering-scholarships-to-national-hispanic-scholars.html</a></p>
<p>The “for sure” really good ones I know from first hand knowledge are from University of Arizona, Arizona State and University of Alabama. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the information 
I was really hoping it would be possible because not many achievement finalists apply to usc and name it as their first choice and maybe they’d name exceptions. But you know for sure?</p>
<p>Since only like 5 of them matriculated into this year’s freshman class</p>
<p>Regardless, you should still apply. Also as a safety, consider ASU, They give a nearly full ride to achievement students, GL</p>
<p><a href=“First-year Student Admissions | Barrett, The Honors College | ASU”>http://barretthonors.asu.edu/admissions/national-scholars/</a></p>
<p>@homie253 - it’s not JUST about the award/honor - it’s about who you are as a student. I know of several amazing students who made NMF, for instance - one was the only one in his school. He was turned down by USC but got a full ride at Arizona State and loves it there.</p>
<p>So don’t read too much into what USC wants or will take. It just depends on a lot of things, including how strong you would be as an addition to the campus culture and the academic climate. There are a number of achievement scholars who have similar stats applying to USC. There are only so many places. USC is not looking at how many per school, etc.</p>
<p>So do your best. But don’t get your hopes up. If you get in - you can celebrate. If not, just have back-up plans in place that you will love just as much. </p>
<p>Because there is something else no one talks about. Getting a half scholarship doesn’t cover the other costs. USC’s cost of attendance is about $64,000. So a half scholarship (tuition) covers about $22-24,000. Depending on financial aid, you and your parents may still be looking at a lot of loans after grants are taken into account. I do know of one young man who got a partial scholarship but whose parents declined to take out loans because he got a full ride somewhere else. (meets 100% of needs is often a lot of loans - even for low income students and parents)</p>
<p>So getting in is half the battle. Paying for it is the other half.</p>
<p>Responding to OP. National achievement will not get you the “automatic” NMF half scholarship. But you may still get the equivalent half tuition presidential scholarship, in competition with other students, depending on your other strengths. But that is pretty competitive. Just like for any other scholarship.</p>
<p>I know this for sure because I have twins.
One was NMF and national Hispanic
The other only national Hispanic.</p>
<p>Only the NMF was elegible for the automatic.
Neither was offered any of the competitive scholarships.</p>
<p>My S was admitted last year and was “only” a NA Outstanding Participant (cutoff scores in CA were very high.) However he was awarded a $10,000 Renewable Leadership Award. So I am betting that some type of merit will be offered to you. Good luck!
Also, be sure to apply for a Black Alumni Scholarship. </p>