In the application, under the question “I plan to attend a regionally accredited college in the United States” , we had to pick a college.
If I put a college here is that suppose to be my first choice. My main question is I did not see the place where I can select the prize, will the step of prize selection will be after they are finalist. I read their instructions and it was confusing with too many dates.
I’m not sure what you mean by “select the prize”. National merit finalists are eligible to get a scholarship if they enroll at the school listed as first choice.
Also, your usage of “I” and “they” is confusing. Are you the parent or the applicant?
On the NM application, the “first choice” college should usually be your first choice college that offers a scholarship to National Merit Finalists. That means that, while it should be a college you are applying to, it might not be your actual first choice.
I am a parent making sure all the parts of application are completed.
Currently he is semifinalist and my understanding is that after he submits the application there will be process of finalist selection, as per the instruction this is what I see
HOW WILL SEMIFINALISTS KNOW IF THEY BECOME FINALISTS?
On February 6, 2023, NMSC will mail a Certificate of Merit for each Finalist to the Finalist’s high school principal.
But in my current application there is a place where I have to select a college, Here is my situation
We are doing EA to first choice college which does not gives him any scholarships. Only After EA results he can decide if he should consider second choice college which gives the scholarship.
The application has a place where he has to put a college name. If he puts first college who does not give scholarship at all then will he only be considered for 2500 cash prize ? What if he doesn’t get EA will I will be able to put second choice after becoming a finalist. By putting a college name in the application are we trying to say that is his first choice , can he change it once we see the EA Results ?
You should list school #2 as your NMSC “first choice” even if it’s not truly your kid’s choice. There is no benefit to listing a school that does not provide NMSC scholarships.
(Also: does the 2nd choice school offer EA?)
Yes you can change your “first choice” college up until May 1st.
——————
On a separate point, since you’ve written:
(boldface added by me)
It’s really your son, and not you, who should be filling all this out. Just saying.
There is no need to list any school at this point.
Iirc, you can change your “first choice” until May 1 next year. Unless a school has some specific earlier requirement, I’d put the most preferred school that offers NM aid as 1st and reevaluate after the acceptance season.
My child has filled it but because of Financial piece we have I am guiding him, he will not understand the financial impact, so helping him because I have to pay the bill. With my older child we lost the scholarship as he changed his mind, so trying to avoid that mistake this time.