<p>I indicated USC as my first choice college for the NMSF competition, but I am also considering other schools that would offer good aid if I indicated them as my first choice. USC is currently my top choice, but unless I get a substantial amount of scholarship money (not just 1/2 tuition), I will not be able to attend.</p>
<p>Would people who qualify for the Presidential NMF scholarship not be considered for the Trustees scholarship?</p>
<p>Is the Presidential scholarship a sure thing for those who advance to Finalist standing?</p>
<p>If you're a NMF & are accepted at USC, you're guaranteed at least 1/2 tuition Presidential Scholarship from USC. If you're also chosen to interview for merit awards & apply by the deadline & they decide to give you more, you're in great shape. Also, the individual school you apply to at USC m-a-y choose to give you more merit aid + you can qualify for need-based aid if appropropriate.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, you have until the last date for NM's deadline to choose which school to name as #1. My S named USC sometimes in April & was awarded the 1/2 tuition NMF Presidential. Some other Us require you to name them sooner (like 2/1 for BostonU) for you to get their NMF $$.</p>
<p>Selection Criteria: Selected on the basis of PSAT performance. Entering freshmen are considered if they have been designated as National Merit Finalist and name USC as their first-choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.</p>
<p>Application Process: Students will be contacted by the sponsoring agency.</p>
<p>There are some schools that guarantee FULL-RIDES to NMFs, including UAz, AzSU, & several others. If you're out-of-state, it includes out-of-state tuition, room & board for 4 years, which amounts to about $80,000. There are several schools that guarantee good merit awards to all NMFs who apply & are accepted.
Unfortunately, ivy schools do NOT award merit $$. My S was not interested in the any of the other schools that guaranteed merit awards for NMFs, tho he did apply to several that are known to give good merit awards. Rice gives generous merit awards to some students, as does Boston U. He was given generous merit aid from Santa Clara U, which is a smaller school in central CA. The merit awards & out-of-pocket amounts at both schools were pretty comparable.</p>
<p>You can search college confidential for schools known for good merit aid. For some schools, if you're at a state class rank, GPA & SAT score, you get merit aid whether or not you're a NMF. You really need to dig around & ask your GC to see what's out there.</p>