PSAT score needed to qualify for National Achievement semifinalist

Parents Forum
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<p>My S scored a 198 (texas). Does anyone know if this has a chance? Unfortunately, I didn't find this website until after he took the test. He took it cold with no reviewing. We are in a school that is about 99% white and hispanic. I don't think that our counselors knew that there was a separate competition for AA. My fault for not researching better before hand.</p>

<p>Am very proud of S either way! He is a great kid. Just want to give him every opportunity to go to a good school. Merit aid would be a big help.</p>

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<p>There is another thread asking a similar question on the SAT board. I didn't know there were NASF. My son is Hispanic, and I'm assuming there is a similar competition for Hispanics. I thought there was just a cutoff for being named a NA or NH scholar, and I've heard that cutoff is in the 180s for Texas.</p>

<p>I tried doing some research and, apparently, NASF are named on a regional basis and get a $2,500 scholarship? I hope someone has some answers! And do they apply for Hispanic Scholars as well?</p>

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<p>youdon'tsay,</p>

<p>thanks for responding. I have looked at some old posts and really can't seem to find any cutoff #'s. I tried googling it. It looks like it must be some big secret.</p>

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<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/608225-will-185-2008-psat-score-make-national-achievement-cutoff.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/608225-will-185-2008-psat-score-make-national-achievement-cutoff.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>So far, only Texas specific info was that last year, 191 was commended. Good luck!</p>

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<p>riverdad, this has some good info about the class of '09's numbers. Makes your son's 198 look promising for next year. Good luck, and let me know whether you find out any other information. You could always call the NA office. S doesn't have a score yet, so I won't get wound up just yet. :) </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/556208-national-achievement-scholars-3.html?highlight=national+achievement+cutoff%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/556208-national-achievement-scholars-3.html?highlight=national+achievement+cutoff&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Congratulations to your son! 198 should be sufficient for National Achievement, so be sure to keep a lookout for any paperwork related to this next fall.</p>

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<p>I googled around last year and am convinced you cannot find anything more than what college confidential posters report. I'd also like to add that the 2-5K merit money is nice, but for our family it was the "invitational" to schools we'd never heard or dreamed of that was the best part of scoring amongst the top African Americans. My D was "referred/commended" with a 189 in California. No prep, never heard of National Achievement until her school said something about it. My husband said maybe she should prep for the SAT and I said "What! Thats sick!". That's how I ended up here at college confidential. Googling to find out if people really did that. She ended up scoring almost 200 points higher on the sat, although her score only moved about one hundred points from the pre to post test in the prep class. Husband got the "that's sick" look again when be mentioned taking the SAT more than once....</p>

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<p>riverdad, good news for you, bad news for me.</p>

<p>Curiosity got the best of me, and I started Googling. I'm sure you found this website: National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - NASP</p>

<p>Lots of good info, like timelines, but no cutoff numbers. I called because I realized there was no link for Hispanic recognition, and sure enough, there is no program for Hispanics. :( But the man I spoke to (ugh, forgot his name) was very nice in explaining why and gave me options to explore. I bet if you called the main number you'd find someone who could give you a number for your region last year and an idea of how much it changes year to year. Again, good luck to riverson! :)</p>

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<p>There is a Hispanic Recognition Program - but it doesn't look like it comes with monetary awards: National</a> Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP)</p>

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<p>Right. Show me the money!!!</p>

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<p>Son's friend was offered extra money at Austin College for being a National Hispanic Scholar - not huge, maybe $2000 per year. I've seen it on a couple of other web sites as well. I'd recommend everyone poring over the scholarship pages of the web sites of the favorite schools - TCU even gives extra $ if the student is an Eagle Scout.</p>

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<p>Never mind. :D</p>

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<p>Look at the University of Arizona website. If I read it correctly they will give "out of state" NMS, NHRS, and NAS $25000 per year. In state gets $15000. US News and World reports rates them as a tier 1 school.</p>

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<p>Thanks. I'll look into that. My son wants to stay in a warm climate, so that works!</p>

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<p>There are at least five colleges that will offer out of state National Hispanic Recogition Scholars full tuition and at least two of these will also throw in 2K stipend...A few include U. of Alabama, U. of Nebraska and Texas A&M.</p>

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<p>The cutoff in 2008 for California this year is apparently 184. That sure is low. Does anyone have any idea of the 2008 cutoff this year for Texas?</p>

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<p>Ooops!I think my D was commended/refered with 184 in California with the Oct '06 test.</p>

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<p>California cut off was 218 or 219 the year before last.</p>

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<p>^you must mean national merit, not national achievement.</p>

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<p>does anyone know what the national achievement scholarship cut off for TN is?</p>