<p>If a school is planning to increase/change its NMF awards for the class of 2012/2016, when will that information be available? Is it on a per-school basis? Does it seem reasonable to assume that that decision would be made before summer break? I realize the students won't receive confirmation of NMSF status until late Aug./early Sept., but thought it might be interesting to start researching any schools that will be new to the "big NMF award" game. :)</p>
<p>Often schools revise their merit scholarships (NMF and other) sometime over the summer before the apps season begins.</p>
<p>I doubt that many/any schools will be increasing its NMF awards because the trend has been the other way because of the economy. Over the last few years we’ve seen a decrease in NMF college awards. </p>
<p>What schools are you interested in?</p>
<p>When I read your question I am a little confused. So let me put the time table.</p>
<p>Every school makes their own rules about what they give NMF’s. Also remember there is an official and unofficial (the extra goodies) component. </p>
<p>The official component is more or less stable and is between $500 to $2000 a year. The unofficial component can vary and schools can change it at any time. </p>
<p>In Aug/Sept 2011 you need to submit forms to NMSC if you are a semi finalist.
In Jan/Feb 2012 you will know if you made it to finalist.</p>
<p>Some schools will make their decision in fall 2011 what their NMF package is and generally it may be a continuation of the package that they gave the incoming class.</p>
<p>Some schools especially state schools who need to know the State Budget may not make a decision or change their package in the January-May 2012 time frame based on what the budget decisions are. However all decisions need to be made before April so that students can get their FA package and make decisions. Usually the decisions will be made by early January/Feb. Last year for example Arizona State made changes to their package some time in Feb 2010. At one time they were very attractive, now they are not.</p>
<p>Yes you can and should reserach schools early and keep an eye on them. However, be prepared they can change.</p>
<p>^^Hi Mom2collegekids! Alabama is definitely on our list, thanks to you and the other great parents on the Bama board. USC is a maybe. My D was mightily impressed with the Medill School of Journalism on a recent visit to Northwestern. Unfortunately, NU’s current NMF $ is woefully small… I’d just like to keep an eye on any new players that jump into the NMF arena.</p>
<p>And mazewanderer – thanks for your imput. It never occurred to me that schools might change their NMF offers after application season has begun!</p>
<p>It never occurred to me that schools might change their NMF offers after application season has begun!</p>
<p>I have never heard of that happening. I believe when Az St did it, it was for the next application, not the current one…but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of a school offering a scholarship and then reneging on it as long as the student maintains the GPA, etc, req’ts.</p>
<p>I went back and checked, AZ State made a change in Dec 2009 for students applying for Fall 2010. So it was for the current yer.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/arizona-state-university/820723-new-american-university-scholarships.html?highlight=arizona+state+national+merit[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/arizona-state-university/820723-new-american-university-scholarships.html?highlight=arizona+state+national+merit</a></p>
<p>I have also not heard a school reneging on scholarship for NMF once given.</p>
<p>In fact I remember talking to an admissions counselor and he confirmed to me that the change had recently been made (in Dec. 2009). If you look at the AZ State National merit page, today they do not mention the scholarship amounts as they are waiting for the budget impact to decide amounts for next year.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>If Arizona did that, that was really ugly of them because by changing in December, that was too late for some of their applicants to get applications into schools that had Dec 1st deadlines for applications or scholarship applications.</p>
<p>I guess Arizona was able to get away with that because in Dec, there were no NMFs yet…but still ugly of them if it was after the Dec 1st deadline - which some schools have.</p>
<p>I know that Bama reviews in May/June…and posts in July for the next application season. In recent years, there haven’t been any big changes.</p>
<p>^^^Unfortunately, this has been rather par for the course at ASU. Barrett Honors College at ASU snagged several of the NM finalists from the 2010 class of DS’s school, but I doubt that will happen again.</p>