<p>Woot so I've just found out I'm a finalist. My "first-choice college" is USC, and I know as a Finalist, I might receive a big half-tuition scholarship from USC. </p>
<p>But the specific terms outlined on the Finalist notification letter are as follows...</p>
<p>in order to get that big, "college-sponsored" scholarship from USC, I have to have "NOT been offered any other Nat'l Merit Scholarship (corporate-sponsored, National, or another college-sponsored award). No student will receive more than one scholarship offer from NMSC.</p>
<p>So is it possible that I if I'm awarded the $2500 from the NMSC, that makes me ineligible to get the bigger (and better) ~20k scholarship from USC? Or does USC give all admitted finalists the half-tuition scholarship, regardless of any other awards they may have gotten via the National Merit Scholarship Corporation?</p>
<p>If you are accepted at USC, and you decide to matriculate there, then by sending in the card notifying them that USC is your first choice before the notification deadline in May, they will know that you are choosing to accept USC’s scholarship, instead of the smaller $2500 one they alone provide. If you are not accepted at USC, then be sure your first choice matches the college you actually do go to.[ In addition, if you go to USC you will also receive 1000/ year from National merit, so in any case, be sure NM receives the first choice card before the May deadline.]</p>
<p>Oh really, I also get a $1000/year scholarship from NMSC in addition to the half-tuition scholarship from USC (assuming I get in and I matriculate)?</p>
<p>If you don’t mind me asking, could you please tell me where you found that info? I’m looking through my letter and I don’t seem to be finding it…</p>
<p>I don’t know where you can find that info but it’s true. We were pleasantly surprised when a $500 credit started showing up on our D’s account about a month into each semester.</p>
<p>Wow, sounds great. And this might be a silly question, but is the half-tuition Nat’l Merit scholarship renewable? And if so, does anyone know on what terms/conditions?</p>
<p>Typical classes at USC = 4 units each. 4 classes per semester = 16 units. </p>
<p>But this can vary a bit. UG students may take 18 units/semester (4 x 4 unit + 1 x 2 unit, or other variation) which is the maximum allowed w/o incurring additional charges, btw). A student who earned 18 units in fall semester may take 14 units spring semester and still stay within the requirements (32 units/yr) for merit scholarships.</p>
<p>When do you need to specify USC as your first choice? Do you need to do it before the Explore USC and Trustee Scholars interviews. Or can you wait until you decide after hearing from all colleges on April 1? More than one college my daughter is considering offers huge scholarships to National Merit Finalists.</p>
<p>^ No, you don’t have to do it now - you can wait until you hear from all your colleges. I have seen some posters suggest you leave it as “undecided” in the meantime.</p>
<p>Actually, you MAY also get some additional $$ from the specific school with in USC that you end up attending. For example, S got an additional award, in addition to the 1/2 tuition + $1000/year NMF from Viterbi engineering as a merit award. This year, he has also received a small additional Eagle Scout merit award on top of that as well!</p>
<p>I called the National Merit people and they said as long as the school was listed as #1 by May 1st that it counted. So the deadline for choosing #1 is the same as the deadline for college decisions!</p>