<p>So i'm a NM Finalist, and i was accepted today; i'm not sure when i'm supposed to designate USC as my first choice by? I get the impression that is April 1st but i'm still finding out about my other schools so would i have to commit my national merit to USC prior to that if i wanted the scholarship? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I’m 99% sure you can change your choice up until May 1 (which is when you have to have decided on a college anyway). You’ve still got time :)</p>
<p>Alright, thanks, the information i’ve found is a bit vague and somewhat conflicting.
I’ll probable shoot USC an email tomorrow to confirm</p>
<p>I think USC is the only school that would offer me that much while also being a school i’d like to go to. Its out of the question if i don’t get the $20k package so i really want to make sure i do ^^</p>
<p>Here is how the National Merit Scholarship at SC works. I have posted this many times in other threads.</p>
<p>You have until May 1 to consider your other choices. My suggestion is to decide a bit before that because the site----as did others----crashed before May 1. If you select SC as your first choice university follow the directions from NM for doing this.</p>
<p>If all directions are followed and you have accepted SC’s offer of admission and enroll you will receive:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>A half tuition scholarship to USC provided by the university</p></li>
<li><p>This scholarship will rise if tuition rises</p></li>
<li><p>In addition, you will receive a $1,000 per year scholarship (not loan) from the NMFoundation.</p></li>
<li><p>In order to maintain the scholarship you have to keep a 3.0 GPA and take 16 units per semester.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Receiving this scholarship will not limit you from applying for competitive merit continuing student scholarships given by individual schools while you are at SC.</p>
<p>if you have already designated a top choice and it is not SC, get paperwork to them by april 26</p>