<p>I am confused. D made NMF earlier this year and accepted a full tuition scholarship from the university she will be attending in Sept.</p>
<p>Yesterday, D rec'd ltr from NM Corp advising that she has been selected as the winner of a National Merit Scholarship ($2K) that can be renewed to cover up to 4 yrs at this college. The NM Corp ltr further states that "officials of the sponsor institution have determined the amount of your stipend and have reported to NMSC that it will be $2,000 per year, if you accept this scholarship."</p>
<p>I am curious to know if others have received similar NM Corp letters. I plan to call the college tomorrow for clarification and ask if D should accept or decline the $2K (reply deadline is due 6/17). Why would the college notify NMSC that D is receiving only $2K?</p>
<p>I think this is the situation.</p>
<p>When a school offers a full tuition scholarship, then a part of it (like $2k per year) is the “official part” that is administered thru NMCorp. The balance of the scholarship is unofficial.</p>
<p>So, that may be the case. If so, then the $2k per year is the Official College NMF scholarship…and you have to accept that. </p>
<p>My son took a full ride NMF scholarship. That school has $1k per year as the “official NMF part”…the rest is unofficial and thru the school only.</p>
<p>As I have explained in many postings, National Merit Scholarships given by colleges can only be from $500 to $2000 a year for up to 4 years. Colleges may choose to give free tuition, summer reserach, room and board, laptops, ipods etc. These are the unofficial component (I call them extra goodies) and they are not officially sanctioned by NMSC but given by colleges as result of NMF status. In short, they are over and above the official scholarship.</p>
<p>You need to get the official scholarship to be called a National Merit Scholar. So you are fine. Some colleges will adjust the $2000 so that you get the same amount as you were promised i.e. reduce other components, some may add it on. But you have nothing to worry, they are not taking away any money and yes you need to accept it but talk the college for confirmation.</p>
<p>*Why would the college notify NMSC that D is receiving only $2K? *</p>
<p>Because that is the “official NMF scholarship” part.</p>
<p>I know it sounds odd, but your D’s school is actually going to send NMCorp $2k for your D’s Official NMF scholarship, and then NMCorp is going to send it back to your D’s school and be given to her account. The school will, of course, also credit your D’s acct the rest of the tuition money.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids and mazewanderer: thanks for the info and clarity! I will definitely confirm with the school that she should accept the NMF scholarship.</p>