<p>I found out a few weeks ago that I am a National Merit Finalist and I already put USC as my first choice when I was applying to be a Finalist. I have already gotten into USC so what is the next step in getting the presidential scholarship that USC offers all its NMF students (assuming I don't get the regular presidential/trustee scholarship)? Is it just to wait? Does USC contact us about it? Thanks.</p>
<p>USC will send you a congratulations letter with information about the NMF Presidential scholarship etc… soon. It was in early April last year. It was a couple of sheets of paper and there was a form to sign and send in. You had to formally accept the Presidential and NMF scholarship (the $1000 a year one in addition to the 1/2 tuition NM Presidential). If you don’t receive information in a couple of weeks (mid April), I’d call and investigate. Congratulations!!</p>
<p>I am in the same boat. In addition, I was awarded the one-time Nat Merit $2500 scholarship. If I get into USC, should I decline this scholarship in favor of the additional $1000 a year? Thanks!</p>
<p>@crazypants-- yes, it is an additional $1500 (4k vs. 2.5k). The requirements to maintain the scholarships are very very lenient.</p>
<p>Wait to decline until you have all the USC scholarship information in writing though</p>
<p>Same here, all. Post updates if you get any news soon…still paranoid that there was some random error and NM didn’t receive my change to USC!</p>
<p>^^ Indy-- you can call NM and check if it would make you less stressed. It is very difficult waiting, but hopefully it will be made clear soon for you all.</p>
<p>Wait…did we have to put that USC was our first choice before admissions results came out? I thought we could do it anytime before May 1 or whatever the deadline is and still get the scholarship as long as we get in to the school. For this reason I just left it as undecided…</p>
<p>I think we have time, it says the only way you couldn’t get it is if you were offered something somewhere else. Also thanks, I think I might call though I know I’m just being crazy!</p>
<p>@zomggg-- you are correct. You have until 5/1 to choose your school for NMF. Some students select early. USC was the only school D applied to that gave scholarships for NMF so it was a no-brainer to select USC early. Others have multiple schools and will want to wait. Selecting early, however, allowed D to get information about scholarship info earlier.</p>