<p>With the results for NMF coming out, I have a question.</p>
<p>For my S's case (I am assuming he moves to the finalist), he didn't choose any particular college in the application form. So, that means no college sponsored scholarship for my S. We, the parents, are not employed in any of sponsor companies. </p>
<p>Then, it seems like only possibility left is $2500 merit scholarship from the foundation. Last year, there were three finalists in our school district, but none of them got $2500 scholarship and I thought it was very though to get that.</p>
<p>I guess what I am wondering is what are profiles of those who get $2500 NM scholarship and if the finalists do/can submit extra materials to win $2500 scholarship.</p>
<p>NM's $2500 scholarships are given out solely on the basis of the Semifinalist application, what with its essays, test scores, EC/awards list, prospective major, guidance counselor letters, etc.</p>
<p>I do not believe anything additional can be done. And they are tough to get in that only 2500 are given out (for about 15,000 Finalists).</p>
<p>"So, that means no college sponsored scholarship for my S"</p>
<p>No, that's not how it works. When you finally pick your school inform NM of your choice, The 2500 is usually an either or thing. Most colleges will offer a NMF far more in scholarship than 2500 one time. Talk to the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in and find out what they do for NMF. On one hand you have a one time offer of 2500 and the other anywhere from half tuition to full.</p>
<p>Check the College Board site and other posts here - I know you have until some time in the Spring to make or change your college choice on the app.</p>
<p>thelongroad, thanks. I will check the board.</p>
<p>I read somewhere in the NM site that students can get only one award, and I think that's why my S didn't designate any college at the time of application. Mainly because he was not sure where he would end up with and many top level schools do not offer merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Students don't actually have to pick a school until acceptances come out. At that point, you will know if your son is one of the NM winners as they are usually announced in March. If he is not and if he decides to attend a school that offers NM money, he can then name that school as his first choice. </p>
<p>My son's friend was a $2500 NM winner and attended a NM school. The school usually gives $2000 a year for 4 years to NM finalists. Since he had $2500 for his first year, the school didn't offer him NM money his first year but agreed to give him an additional $2000 scholarship for each of his remaining 3 years.</p>
<p>As to the criteria for getting the $2500 award, they are usually top scorers on the SAT. My son's friend had 1600 in one sitting as well as a 236 PSAT. In addition, he had top grades and excellent recommendations.</p>
<p>When they say you can only get one award, that means that if you get the $2500 from NM itself, then you can't get another award from the college or from a company. However, as posted above, some schools will give you money down the line; that is up to the school. </p>
<p>As I recall from last year, you actually have until some time in May to designate a first choice school. You can even change your designation then if you did put someone down with your app and then changed your mind.</p>
<p>While it can certainly be a consideration as to school choice (the amount of a NM award), I wouldn't let it totally rule the decision. If you really like a school and it has a big NM award, then that's great, but I wouldn't go to a school you don't like just 'cause of NM. The mere fact that you are NMF (if that happens and it does for most NMSF) will mean a lot to most schools and you might just get a scholarship from a school that is not a "NM scholarship", but you were given the scholarship in part because you were NM. ie, it is one of your (hopefully) many qualifications, and a significant one.</p>
<p>Some schools like to brag about how many NMFs are in their freshman class. They attract NMFs in many different ways and specifically named awards are just one way. It was our experience that the named "NM award" at the schools our D liked were usually the smallest ones they had.</p>
<p>perhaps have your son apply to schools that offer large scholarships to NMFs (it can always be his back up school). </p>
<p>My NMF college freshman daughter applied to Baylor last year and received full tuition because she was NMF. She got accepted to all the schools she applied ( some with scholarships, some not) but altimately chose to attend Baylor, and she LOVES it there.</p>
<p>I just call the NM people yesterday with some questions. A live person answered the phone and she connected me with another person who stayed with me as long as I wanted, answering questions. Incredible "customer service"! Because my son does potentially qualify for a corporate award (because of where his Dad works), he will have to name a first choice college before he knows where he's accepted, but he can change it later, depending on admissions results. The woman I talked to said the designated school would be notified, so it could be a way of showing interest to that school.</p>
<p>This is different from designating a first choice college for a college sponsored scholarship. This designation can be changed up to a certain point, but once a first choice college offers a scholarship, my understanding is that the student is expected to attend that school. Rather confusing.</p>
<p>There is a deadline for changing the first choice school - sometime in late April. Son sent in his first choice school with his NM application in the fall. We figured naming the particular school might make him more viable for a larger merit award. Acceptances came out. Son was accepted to first choice school. However, when I talk to him about sending in the paper work, he is having a lot of doubts. To make a long story short, he decides on the DEADLINE DAY to change his first choice school. I call NM. They tell me to fax his first choice change to them and it needs to be there by the time the office closes. (His high school guidance office helped him do this and faxed the change for us.) A few days later we get a letter from the original first choice college telling us that he has been awarded a NM scholarship from them. We thought all was lost. However, in June he gets a letter from the second first choice school telling us he has been awarded a NM scholarship. We were very pleased. </p>
<p>We also ended up having to do a change for our older son as well. My advice is to wait, if you can, for acceptances to come out and then make a first choice. If you have to pick one before that, keep all the paperwork handy so that you can make a change if necessary. I definitely ended up with a few gray hairs over that one!</p>