<p>Anyone with Wash U as first choice receive national merit money?</p>
<p>I believe any National Merit Scholar will qualify for a $2,000 per year scholarship at Wash U. My son did. He did NOT list it as his first choice. (Since he did not know where he would be accepted he listed as his first choice the school with the highest National Merit Scholarship. Most schools give a specified amount to all qualified students. He got into the school he listed but preferred Wash U.) After he accepted at Wash U he was still able to amend his National Merit paperwork and list it as his first choice and get the scholarship. It is tricky so you have to make sure you do it correctly. However, I believe that if you listed Wash U as your first choice already you will definitely get the scholarship. It is only $2,000 (a year for four years) but is better than nothing.</p>
<p>Thank you! I was worried I wouldn’t receive it because I had a different school listed and changed it to Wash U. I know $2000 isn’t much but really anything would help with the hefty Wash U price tag!</p>
<p>That is correct, it was quite confusing last year and I was afraid too that we missed the boat when he did not specify first choice school, did not get the NMF one, that only 2500 out of 16000 get. But you call them ( and deadline may be somwehere in May) then fill something out ( can’t remember what exactly but that WU is your choice) and get it . If you already listed WashU as first choice, you should get it automatically.
WashU is as good as any other school I know about it, and they also give it to you on top of any other scholarships and financial aid; other schools would reduce their package when you get NMF scholarshp.</p>
<p>USC is the “best” school I know of that gives a large national merit scholarship. It gives $20,000 a year! Vanderbilt gives $5,000. My son got into those schools but still chose Wash U. He is a freshman and loves it. I would probably call the school and even the National Merit people to make sure everything is in order.</p>
<p>Update: Just received my $2000/yr today! Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>On a side note, U of Rochester gave me $22,000 in national merit money before I switched my first choice (somehow this didn’t interfere with the Wash U money?) so they are also great for national merit scholarships. It was a hard offer to turn down but I just love Wash U so much…</p>
<p>Are you guys saying that if I simply select Wash U as my first choice school as a National Merit Finalist (not a scholarship winner) that they’ll instantly award me with $2000/year? That’s awesome!!! I think I lost my letter though, any ideas on what to do?</p>
<p>Wow - did not know that Vanderbilt gives 5k and USC 20k, but WashU was best among our choices - zero at Cornell, JHU and I can’t remember Northwestern or CMU , because it was not really one of top choices. Even Ohio state was not much, because we did not specify as first choice in March.
Heretoask - not instantly, call NMF and they will give you instructions on how to do it, it should not be too late yet. And againn, this will be on top of any merit/financial aid you already get ( unless you have full ride 
)</p>
<p>I called the office today and they told me to fill out this form (<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/Col_Ch_Ach.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/Col_Ch_Ach.pdf</a>) and just fax it in. Is that what everyone else did?</p>
<p>It looks familiar and I think it is right. My son had this situation last year (he is a Wash U freshman) so he did not do it recently. But it is correct that it has to be sent to National Merit not Wash U. Even though Wash U funds the scholarships, they actually come from National Merit who makes the final qualification decision. (Or at least that is what I think based upon the fact that when we talked to Wash U last year they helped us but said that National Merit was in control.)</p>
<p>^ Random tidbit - you actually have to renew with National Merit EVERY year to continue to receive the scholarship.</p>
<p>It’s kind of a pain to deal with. Especially since one year my mom threw out the reminder letter thinking it wasn’t necessary.</p>
<p>(I think it is indeed WashU who funds it, so I don’t understand why NM needs verification every year…)</p>
<p>Yes, my freshman son just renewed his for next year. It is simple if you don’t throw out the letter. It is a once page letter than you sign and fax to National Merit.</p>