****UNOFFICIAL Class of 2015 National Merit Finalist Thread****

@PAMom21‌ FYI - Louisiana’s data got jumbled with Kansas’ in the last cut & paste.
Posts #430 & #461 -> Homeschooler & heard from school on 02/10.
Hope everyone hears really soon!

For those just joining, letters started arriving last Saturday, the 7th, with just one noted here. More started coming on Monday the 10th, with data continuing to trickle in. I believe these states are still waiting as of today. If you aren’t on the list, at least one person in your state has heard of their finalist status. (Thank you @jeeejj)

Alaska
Arizona
Hawaii
Idaho
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

KY here, just received my Finalist certificate!!

My daughter’s finalist letter arrived in PA today! (homeschooled) Looks like the letters are finally arriving in the Northeast!

I think we have had a bunch of people join in the last day or two just to post on this thread. Thank you and welcome to CC!

Alaska
Arizona
Hawaii
Idaho
Maryland
Massachusetts
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

I hate removing PA without my own letter in hand, but @luvmygirls post does give me hope that the end is in sight.

@PAMom21 Post #554 - North Carolina

@journey2015 - I believe that only about half of the NMF’s actually receive a scholarship based on this. The ones announced in May are the $2500 winners and pretty much those are the tippy top in scores/course rigor/activiites (who really knows - not us). At our school with a lot of NMFs last year, about 5-10% get those. The rest of the people can get Corporate awards (only if your parent works for one of the listed companies and they pick you) or college sponsored awards (only if your child attends one of the sponsoring schools and lists them as their first choice by the schools deadline).

Just received notification from my principal that I am a finalist in Mississippi!

DS was confirmed as Finalist today in OH!!! Yeah! The relief is beyond comprehension! Whew.

@jbourne - Thank you for the reply. I was a little worried that this might impact the college sponsored awards as well. We have been waiting and waiting for the official Finalist announcement as has everyone on this list & didn’t even realize that some Finalists are not selected as Merit Scholar designees.

We’re in North Idaho - My son just texted that he IS A FINALIST! Yay!

Anyone know when the deadline is to list your “#1 choice” for college-sponsored NMF scholarships? We are still waiting here …

@journey2015 As a Finalist, your kid is eligible for the big scholarships that some colleges offer. The other awards give you the bragging rights of National Merit Scholar, but are not very large scholarships. I think the college sponsored awards are in the $1000-$2000 a year range, but if a school gives a full ride or full tuition or other such large scholarship, you get the same amount of money whether you get the NMSC award or not. If you get the college sponsored award, then a small amount of the money is classified as the “official” college sponsored award.

@MinneMom2 I think it is May 1.

It varies depending on the school, so it’s really important to make sure to check with each school. I’ve seen one as early as April 11 I think.

Edited to add, this is from Northeastern’s website:

Northeastern National Scholarships

Students who are admitted to Northeastern and are recognized as National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, or National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars** will receive a $30,000 merit based award and may also be eligible for financial aid. Northeastern National Scholarships replace any Dean’s, Excellence, Connections, or International Scholars awards and may result in a change to previously awarded Northeastern University Grant funds.

Northeastern National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholars will receive priority consideration for The University Honors Program.

*To be eligible for these Northeastern scholarships, National Merit Finalists must be must be U.S. citizens or documented permanent residents, admitted to Northeastern and should designate Northeastern University as your college choice to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by April 10. We will award our first group of scholarships in early March to students who were admitted Early Action or Early Decision.

If I have my info correct, UChicago gives $4,000/year for NMF who list them as #1, and the University of MN has multiple scholarships they award to NMFs, ranging from $1,000/yr to $10,000/yr (again, providing you list them as #1)

As I’m sure most on here know already, Wichita State University in Kansas gives a full ride to NMFs (and NAFs and NHRPs.) 4 years in-state or OOS tuition, room, board, and $1000 per year stipend for books.

The list continues to shrink, I’m gaining confidence that we’ll all know by week’s end. I’m optimistic about tomorrow.

Alaska
Arizona
Hawaii
Maryland
Massachusetts
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Vermont
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

D just texted me a pic of her Finalist certificate, given to her at school today! We are in Louisiana. It’s quite plain as far as certificates go, but to me it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of paper I have seen!

Ha @Vistajay, is it wimpier than the AP Scholar with Distinction certificate?