I applied for the national merit scholarships back in October, and I had a few questions. I think it is likely that I will receive a corporate scholarship due to my father’s place of work, but does this mean that I can’t get the presidential scholarship that USC offers for national merit finalists? And would I still be in contention for the other USC scholarships (I applied by Dec 1)?
Hmm, I don’t know the best way to answer your question since I’m a transfer student, but I assume you can still apply for other scholarships. However, if the corporate scholarship from your father’s workplace is sizable enough, it is my belief that USC will just adjust the presidential scholarship. I’ve had it drilled into my head that any outside scholarships will affect the gift aid provided by USC; they like to leave you with just the right amount so that you don’t have anything extra. I was told this very thing while on an interview for the Topping Scholarship. They said “If you are awarded the 5K by this scholarship, USC will just take away 5K from other aid they award you”.
The NMF Presidential scholarship is one half tuition. If you are admitted as a NMF, you get that amount. Not all NMF are admitted. So if you get in you can stack the corporate NMF on your Presidential. There is also a smaller University scholarship that NMF admits sometimes get. My D’s University scholarship was $3850 a year. I can see USC deciding to give you no University scholarship, or reducing it, depending on how large your corporate scholarship is. Now if you are talking about non-merit financial aid, then yes USC will reduce a financial aid award by any merit scholarship including NMF corporate.