<p>I hope they don’t. I’ve actually enjoyed being pushed to engage in the community.</p>
<p>Momfromme are you saying you could get over 30k by only qualifying for the National Merit scholarship? Like would they just dip into other scholarship funds to give the National Merit kids a little extra money?</p>
<p>Since this is the first year with this scholarship instead of the previous full tuition scholarship, I think it is unclear how this will actually work out in reality.</p>
<p>I believe that if you are an NMF, you may qualify for the full tuition Scholars program. If not, any extra money would be in need based grants.</p>
<p>It’s been awhile since I called but I had the impression that additional academic awards could be added to the 30K for NMF. This would depend on the rest of the student’s record.</p>
<p>Check this post: They are saying that NM can be combined with other merit aid. How much that will actually be (or how often that will occur) remains to be seen.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/16637460-post6.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/16637460-post6.html</a></p>
<p>The NE website says: “If applicable, any scholarship and/or Honors Program information will be released with your decision.”</p>
<p>So, what do they do about the National Merit/Achievement 30k since we’d all only be SEMI finalist at this point and the scholarship is for finalist? For EA students, if we get in, do we just find out about other possible merit aid at this point with some statement such as “If you advance to Finalist you will receive 30k…”???</p>
<p>HSG</p>
<p>hsgrad, you are correct. At the initial decision you will be offered any other scholarships or grants which you qualify for or are selected for. Once you receive finalist status, contact he college and send in your letter. They will then add the NMF scholarship and make any needed adjustments to what was already offered. When my now sophomore son got finalist status the college sent a new financial aid/scholarship offer, adding the NMF (full tuition) and taking off the other scholarships and grants previously offered - they still offered loans as well. With the new $30,000 amount for NMF the question is if they will leave any of the previously offered scholarships or grants (only as high as tuition I would think, if at all).</p>
<p>I just called the financial aid office, and the man was clear that NMFs could only earn up to the guaranteed $30K, unless they are a Scholar, which would be full tuition. He said I would not be able to stack other merit scholarships, such as the Dean’s Scholarship, on top of National Merit. Bummer, my first choice is now not affordable. ): Can someone else call and make sure that is correct? The website says otherwise so I am still crossing my fingers.</p>
<p>I hope whomever you talked to was wrong, Funkymonkey. I too am hoping to make Finalist, get the $30k and maybe a bit more. The drop from full tuition for NMF is big…so maybe they will throw in a bit more if there is reason to???
I picked NE and some others largely because of the NMF scholarship so I am only counting on the 30k. But attending still might not be in reach with just that. Crossing my fingers too (as are my parents, I am sure!).
Still, 30k and guaranteed Honor’s Program admission remains a GREAT deal.<br>
HSG</p>
<p>It looks like they were getting too many NMF applying to get the full tuition, so they changed it to 1/2 tuition and then they pick 50 of those to offer full tuition to, the University Scholars. When I called the financial aid office, they said they will NOT stack merit and financial aid, which makes anything but the Scholar program useless for low and middle-income students, especially for a school that doesn’t meet full need. As a result, one 3.85 UW, 2200+ SAT kid dropped them off his list.</p>
<p>@daddio: You are mistaken on several points. The new NMF is $30,000/year which is about a 75% scholarship, not 50%. You do not need to be an NMF Finalist to get the Scholars program. Acceptance as a Scholar is holistic and not based on a single test like the NMF. Also, NMF and other merit scholarships cannot be stacked. NMF and need based grants can be stacked for lower income students, depending on need. </p>
<p>Hate to sound mean, but NEU probably doesn’t care if they lose 1 3.85 UW, 2200+ kid because they diminished their guaranteed scholarship from full tuition to 75%. I think they said they had upwards of 20k EA applicants, many of whom I’m sure fall in this category and can afford NEU with Dean’s, grants, federal aid, etc.
Rankings wise, it’s not feasible to offer full tuition anymore to every NMF. (Maybe this is just me, but it seems silly to reward a good job on a practice SAT when actual SAT results are available.) While it is unfortunately no longer an option for you, NEU has the luxury of increasing their standards.</p>
<p>“Maybe this is just me, but it seems silly to reward a good job on a practice SAT when actual SAT results are available”
@novafan: Well, you get SEMI finalist based solely on your PSAT. Northeastern awards nothing based on semifinalist status. To make Finalist, your GPA, overall school record, application and essay and SAT have to be in line. If you make finalist only then does NE offer you the Finalist scholarship.
Just wanted to clarify that the you are not rewarded by Northeastern solely for a good job on the practice test, you a have to make the next level of finalist. But I do agree that Finalist are given a lot of great options and a ton of money and that the first step is the PSAT. All of us wish Northeastern still gave full tuition, but 30k a year and the honors programs still is nice offer. </p>