Does National Merit Finalist aid add to or displace Honors Programs Financial Aid?
Curious…
That totally depends on the school.
Since its only 2500, I’m going to now assume that it adds to honors programs aid.
If the Honors Program Aid you’re referring to is a merit based scholarship, then oftentimes it will stack with other merit based scholarships. I’m assuming since you mentioned $2500 you are referring to the one-time $2500 NMSC award.
If the Honors Program Aid is need-based Financial Aid, then it’s possible that a merit scholarship would reduce the amount of your need-based aid by an equivalent amount. The reasoning is that once the university determines their definition and amount of “your need”, if you then receive a merit scholarship “your need” is now reduced and they might reduce your need-based aid by an equivalent amount. It kinda sucks, but that’s how many universities handle things.
Bottom line is you need to call the university in question and ask their Financial Aid office directly.