We are doing research on which schools offer high National Merit Finalist Scholarships. Today I discovered Auburn University will no longer off their full-tuition + some room, technology, enrichment and stipend starting with the 2017 high school graduating class. They are instead offering Freshman scholarships that anyone can apply for based on ACT/SAT test scores and the awards are much, much smaller. This is rather shocking and I wonder if this has anything to do with the new testing format or if they took the test changes as an opportunity to take a step back from large awards. They are blaming it on a recent partnership of NMSC with the American Negro College Fund and a reduction in dollars. Does the NMSC help fund the large college/university NMF scholarships? I am so new to this I don’t have the information or experience to know what this means.
Has anyone heard of other schools who are dropping their National Merit Scholarship awards for the class of 2017/2021? I’m worried the list may grow.
Schools may increase or decrease their scholarships for whatever reason. Supposedly, USC used to be far more generous with NM scholarships than it is now, since it used to have a much less attractive reputation to NM-level students back then compared to now.
Non-NM scholarships may also change. For example, Alabama will no longer offer the engineering top-up scholarship for frosh with 3.5 HS GPA and 30-31 ACT (this topped up the university 2/3 tuition scholarship to full tuition for engineering majors) starting with fall 2017 frosh.
@flashk <<<Does the NMSC help fund the large college/university NMF scholarships? I <<<
Oh no. NMSC has very little money. that’s why they can only fund one-time 2500 awards to 2500 students. NMCorp has very little money.
The large univ NMF scholarships are funded completely by the colleges and/or or their own donors.
Where did you see that Auburn would no longer have their NMF award for the Class of 2017 on?
And, again, the Auburn NMF for OOS students has not covered full tuition for several years. The tuition portion of their NMF OOS award has only covered $20k per year towards OOS tuition which is about $27k (rising each year).
Mom2collegekids, do you mind a question from a total newbie? Oldest child is a JR with a 222 SI on the PSAT. I’m trying to help him research his best options in case he’s NMF.
I see that Auburn gives the $20k per year for National Merit for OOS. (We live in Kansas).
The web page says:
“Non-resident National Merit and Achievement semifinalists who have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and meet the January 15 application for admission deadline receive an Academic Heritage Scholarship, replacing a Freshman Scholarship of lesser value if previously offered.”
“Heritage Scholarship
› Requires a 31-32 ACT (1360-1430 SAT) score and a minimum 3.5 high school GPA.
› Awarded at $48,000 over four years ($12,000 per year).”
The NM 20k appears to be automatic. From the phrasing in the first paragraph quoted above, it sounds like the Heritage is also automatic for OOS MNF. Do I have this right?
So would it be a guaranteed $32k per year if he is a NMF?