National Merit Scholarships at UF

<p>I am from Texas and I will be attending UF. I am a National Merit Finalist</p>

<p>Wondering if anyone can provide any information on what kind of benefits UF provides to National Merit Finalists. I do have full rides from quite a few schools in Texas and from the neighboring states but I am set on attending UF. Need to convince my parents somehow.</p>

<p>Can any NMfs from last year provide any info on this?</p>

<p>Not that it's any help, but I have a friend who's also a National Merit Finalist. Congrats on that, man.</p>

<p>Thanks. Now, if I can convince my parents, I would be happy.</p>

<p>My son received a full scholarship to USF. We are also from Texas. Since we are on the coast, Tampa would probably be a lot like what he is used to. They also have their own medical school/teaching hospital with a 7 year MD program that he is eligible for since he qualified for Honors. What don't your parents like about going there?</p>

<p>I do not know yet if they are going to object. I am assuming that they may ask me to look at the full-ride ones closer to home. UF website is not really good at listing what scholarships NMFs get. It would be good to go to them with an idea on what it may cost.</p>

<p>My brother got a full ride to uf with his national merit award but that was 6 years ago</p>

<p>There is a thread in this section titled "scholarships" that answers your questions about scholarships at UF.</p>

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My brother got a full ride to uf with his national merit award but that was 6 years ago

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<p>Yes 5-6 years ago they used to give you 3750 per semester for being an NMF (I matriculated back in '04). I think they toned down the awards since then though. Unfortunately I don't think any recent (i.e. last year) NMF's post here to confirm what kind of awards UF offers now.</p>

<p>spurfan, until a couple of years ago UF used to throw a lot of money at NMFs as a way of attracting them to the school and improving the reputation. However, with all the financial constraints and because of overwhelming criticism, that approach has changed now days. Still, I believe they were giving up to $ 5000.00 a year. I am sure that it depends on a case by case basis but it would be worthwhile to check with them before you make your decision, especially, if UF is the school you want to attend.</p>

<p>"until a couple of years ago UF used to throw a lot of money at NMFs as a way of attracting them to the school and improving the reputation."</p>

<p>So did almost every major research university in the country.</p>

<p>An email I received from UF admissions today: </p>

<p>"Good morning! Congratulations on being named National Merit Finalist. If you decide to name UF as your first choice school you will be eligible for a $5000 scholarship package in addition to other scholarships you might be awarded both through National Merit and/or Bright Futures. You will be awarded $500 per semester for 8 semesters or until you earn you bachelors degree. You will also be able to apply for the additional $1000 to go towards the costs of research you pay participate in.</p>

<p>In addition to the scholarship, you will be admitted to the Honor's Program and be eligible to stay in the honor's dorm, Hume Hall. You will also get priority registration each year."</p>

<p>Woah! Anything similar for National Achievement?</p>

<p>That'd be pretty sweet. I'm a National Achievement Finalist.</p>

<p>It is my understanding that UF waives out of state tuition for NMF. OP: Have you called UF and told them you made finalist?</p>

<p>Me? I'm in state, also eligible for 100% Bright futures. Also, I did call them a while back, but the person I talked to told me that UF will me notified automatically, I don't have to tell them.</p>

<p>EDIT, No, not me, lol. N*M*F, not A, Sorry.</p>

<p>I meant the OP who is from Texas. As for NAF, are you sure you do not have to notify UF? What does your acceptance letter say? It is my understanding that NAFs get the same as NMF.</p>

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Woah! Anything similar for National Achievement?

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<p>UF really likes both (NMF and NAF) so the benefits are probably the same or at least similar.</p>

<p>Sweet. Thanks, I'll be calling them Tomorrow! </p>

<p>My safety school is starting to look like a very good idea now...(Gatech - meh..., Cornell - I hope, MIT - I wish)</p>

<p>For anyone interested, I emailed and found out that NA get:</p>

<p>$500 per semester for 8 semester from the Honors Program
$2125 per sem. for 8 semesters from the admissions Department
You are invited to the Honors Program and can live in Hume Hall if you want</p>

<p>Here is a summary of what Out of State NMFs attending UF get:</p>

<p>1) Waiver of out of State Tuition - Capped at $8000 per semester
2) Scholarship of $4000 per year (It appears to be enough to cover the in-state tuition cost)
3) One time $1000 toward research expenses
4) Honors program admittance and invite to live in Hume Hall</p>

<p>^ Is this still accurate?
4k per year (or few hundred more) is in-state tuition (even if you are out of state), so all you have to pay is room and board?</p>