<p>Hi, just wanted to let any other National Merit Finalists know that according to the WPI Financial Aid Office, they get a letter listing all the finalists and they will automatically update your financial aid offer based on that. (The National Merit Foundation starts handing out awards on 3/1 so I hope we receive our letters before then.)</p>
<p>Hey, sorry, what I wrote before was wrong. That’s what the person told me on the phone, but when I emailed to see what the status was, I got a reply saying that I’ll get a revised scholarship award only AFTER I name WPI as my #1 college choice. Well, I can’t risk doing that because what if they offer only the guaranteed $19K and not a higher amount? Once I received an offer, then I wouldn’t be able to say No and accept a different school’s offer.</p>
<p>Yes the guaranteed amount requires you to designate WPI as your first choice. But this is only in the document you send to College Board. This has no bearing on where you can choose to apply or attend college. You are not required to choose WPI regardless of what they offer you. If another school interests you more or offers you more money, you are free to attend. There is nothing binding about declaring WPI your first choice.</p>
<p>Sorry, I was vague. I meant that with National Merit scholarships, you get only one scholarship offer. So as soon as WPI offers a scholarship, whatever the amount, if I say no to their scholarship I can’t then accept a National Merit scholarship from another college.</p>