I got a call today from the National Merit Corporation saying that I was being highly considered for a National Merit Corporate Scholarship that I was “most likely to receive”. They said that they would call back within a week to let me know if I have been selected. The call caught me completely off guard because I had not applied for anything and did not even know that such existed. I have a relatively high PSAT score (232) and the caller made sure that the major I selected (Business and Economics) was still the one that I plan on pursuing. He called me in the middle of school and I was not sure what questions to ask, but when I hung up I was completely confused. Does anyone know what this is, how much money they typically offer, and if there are any strings attached? Thank you!
NMSC Corporate awards are typically $1-2K/year. There are no “strings”.
Does your parent work for a company that awards NMF scholarships?
Are you going to go to a univ that offers its own NMF scholarships?
you ‘did not apply for anything’ ? You must surely have filled out the NMSF paperwork (including essay) to be considered for NMF status? That was your ‘application’! On that application, you had to list where your parent’s work. So, one of them must work for a sponsoring corporation so you are being considered for that. You can do a google search or lookup on their website for a list of sponsoring companies to see if your parent’s employer is listed. This is all good! If selected, they will send the scholarship money to your college. (make sure and update your NM account with your college after you have picked it, but probably before May 1).
It’s been a long time so I don’t remember, but does the NMF paperwork ask where parents are employed? My son got a NMF corporate award from H’s work, but I don’t remember the whole process. I know that my H had to fill out a form a work, but I don’t remember if the NMF paperwork asked.
Not all corporate scholarships are based on parents’ employer. Some are based on location, major, or other factors.
My child got the same call from NMSC. It sounded like it is a special corporate award. My son called back to confirm his potential major (business) in college.
It is not related to corporate employer/employee NM award, at least in my case.
What is puzzling me is that my child has already been awarded the $2500 scholarship. My understanding is that he cannot receive more than one award from NMSC. Of course I love to see more money coming in if he is awarded and allowed to receive extra money.
What if your child is a finalist and got accepted to some of the colleges on the list, do they give NMSC scholarships on top of the money they already that I got?
“What is puzzling me is that my child has already been awarded the $2500 scholarship. My understanding is that he cannot receive more than one award from NMSC”
Students can only receive only ONE scholarship that is sponsored and funded through NMSC- either a scholarship sponsored by a corporation, a college or the $2500 ONE TIME scholarship that funded directly by NMSC.
Your child does NOT have to take the ONE TIME $2500 scholarship if he will receive more $$ over 4 years from a corporate or college sponsored scholarship.
"What if your child is a finalist and got accepted to some of the colleges on the list, do they give NMSC scholarships on top of the money they already that I got?
Yes you child can receive anywhere from $1000-2000 per year from NMSC in addition to any scholarships they are awarded directly by the college.
My son was a NMF and had a full tuition scholarship as well. He received a total of $4000 over 4 years from NMSC in addition to the full tuition scholarship.
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What is puzzling me is that my child has already been awarded the $2500 scholarship.
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Then your child cannot receive the corporate NMF award.
The only ones that can receive a corporate and college award are the kids whose colleges have an “unofficial” portion of their NMF award. My son was able to receive the corporate award and his college’s unofficial award (which was tuition, housing, etc). He couldn’t receive the “official” award from his school which was only $1000 per year. Since the corporate award was $2500 per year, getting that was better.
@menloparkmom and @mom2collegekids: Thanks for the responses.
We now understand how NMSC offers scholarships to NMFs. My son first got the $2500 scholarship. It does not matter whether my son has accepted the $2500 scholarship or not. If NMSC finds a bigger award from National Merit Corporate Scholarship, NMSC will replace the $2500 award with the “bigger” award. This happens to my son and NMSC calls him with the good news today.
Congratulations!!!