National Merit at USC

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>I know there has been some excellent discussion about this topic, but I am still confused. For those students who are National Merit finalists, do you only receive one merit scholarship of half tuition at USC or can you receive both the merit USC scholarship and a scholarship from the National Merit Corp.? It sounded like you can only get one scholarship from the National Merit Corp.</p>

<p>Also, has anyone received a formal letter describing the merit aid from USC beyond the letter which said you don't get one of the top USC scholarships but can still get the half tuition scholarship if you are National Merit finalist?</p>

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<p>Here's the USC info about how they handle National Merit Finalist Presidential Scholarships-
USC</a> Financial Aid - Grants & Scholarships - Undergraduate - Freshmen Only Scholarships</p>

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<p>
[quote]
can you receive both the merit USC scholarship and a scholarship from the National Merit Corp.?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>you can NEVER receive two scholarships regarding the same thing for NMS, and that's quite explitictly stated on the letter you got for NMF. If you choose to attend a non-sponsor college (for example, the ivies), then NMS will offer you 2000 dollars given that you do reach the NMScholar level. If you choose to attend a sponsor college, such as USC or U of Chicago, then you receive whatever amount the college chooses (given that you put them as #1 and also get in) instead of the 2000 dollars. </p>

<p>Never ever, would you receive both.</p>

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<p>I'm not sure that's correct. USC gives the half-tuition presidential scholarship to all NM finalists. And on top of that, $1,000 per year, which is technically - I think - the part that would otherwise be the more official National Merit Award. I'm pretty sure I've seen posts that suggest you could also get a NM Scholar award or corporate award instead of the $1k per year award from USC. In other words, Presidential plus the extra bit, regardless of source. It makes sense to me, but unfortunately I don't have it documented.</p>

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<p>I am sure this has been discussed before ....but I can't find the answer.
Is the NMF scholarship (1/2 tuition) renewable each year?
If so what are the conditions?(i.e. what GPA is required for renewal?)</p>

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<p>AWARD CRITERIA
Award recipients must be enrolled full-time (16 units per semester) at USC and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
<a href="http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/grants_scholarships/undergraduates/usc.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/grants_scholarships/undergraduates/usc.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>can we still get the $1,000 if we already got the Trustee scholarship?
I desperately need the money.</p>

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<p>My S is a current freshman and a Trustee scholar. He is also Natl Merit. He receives the Trustee plus $1000 each year for four years. The $1000 is administered via Natl Merit and the award is the school connected award (versus the Natl Merit Corp or regular Corporate award). My son's USC account is credited twice a year ($500 in Sept, $500 in Jan) with a check from Natl Merit Corp.</p>

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<p>'you can NEVER receive two scholarships regarding the same thing for NMS, and that's quite explitictly stated on the letter you got for NM'
Sorry, but you are DEAD WRONG about this. As a NMF you can receive $2000/ year from NMSC AND'S the 1/2 or full tuition scholarship from USC [ which is given to NMF's , but is PAID for by USC, not NMSC]
here is the link to the previous discussion
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/460393-nmf-vs-corporate-sponsored-sholarship-2.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/460393-nmf-vs-corporate-sponsored-sholarship-2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Menloparkmom I'm confused now. So you are saying you can receive the Trustee full scholarship plus the $1,000 or $2,000 per year National Merit? Also, does it depend on need whether it's $1,000 or $2,000 per year? Because I've seen people refer to both. When do you find out about the $1,000 or $2,000 National Merit award?</p>

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<p>As menloparkmom's link to another thread shows, as a NMF, you are being considered for one of 3 types of NMSC awards. If you do not receive a NMSC corporate award or the NMSC $2500 Award, then USC will award you the college sponsored award (if you state USC are your #1 choice). If you are a Trustee or Presidential Scholar it will be in addition to it. If you are not one of those, but received USC's NM scholarship, then the $1000 NMSC college sponsored award will be in addition to USC's 1/2 Tuition NM scholarship.</p>

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<p>Thanks, mom of three</p>

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<p>Did anyone receive the official letter from USC awarding the half scholarship based on NMF and USC being first choice school? I am not referring to the Feb. general letter for people who applied prior to the Dec. deadline for merit awards.</p>

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<p>As above, azhao525 is incorrect. I'm a 2012 NMF presidential and I get the $1000 as well.</p>

<p>Chill out on the acceptance stuff as I've posted in every other thread ;). I didn't get mine until mid-March.</p>

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<p>this is kinda old, but i hope for a reply :D</p>

<p>So I applied to USC for the December deadline for Fall 2010. I did not receive the Merit Scholarship, etc. My status says, It is being reviewed by the committee. What are my chances of getting in? My GPA is 4.35 and my SAT score was not high at all: 1670. </p>

<p>thanks :)</p>

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<p>if im waiting on trustee, should i just name USC as my number 1 anyways right now? maybe they would see that giving me presidential wouldnt get me anywhere else?</p>

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<p>Can anyone confirm that National Merit Finalists get presidential scholarships for all four years? On the scholarship website ([USC</a> Financial Aid - Grants & Scholarships - Undergraduate - Freshmen Only Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/grants_scholarships/undergraduates/meritbasedfo.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/grants_scholarships/undergraduates/meritbasedfo.html)), it lists National Merit Presidential Scholarships under Freshman Only. Does this mean it is only given to incoming freshmen, or does this mean that it only applies for freshman year?</p>

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<p>I think what they mean is you can only apply for it as a freshman, but I would call just to double check.</p>

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<p>nymusix, the NM Presidential Scholarship is a four-year scholarship. In addition it will always be a “1/2” tuition scholarship - if tuition goes up, your scholarship will go up as well. Pretty good deal!</p>

<p>And MMouse is correct, ony entering freshmen are eligible for the award - transfers are not.</p>

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<p>Now this won’t be the only thing I put, but is saying that I’m a NF finalist significant to put on an appeal</p>