@Nomorelurker All National Merit Finalists who get accepted to USC are automatically awarded “Presidential Scholar” status (with half tuition). Thus for those NMF’s, their Presidential status truly is based solely on one test, the PSAT. That doesn’t mean that the Presidential status of the remaining finalists (like your son) rests on one test.
@CalBearsMom, thanks for the clarification on NMF. However, I think the statements about Presidential nominees by the prior poster, about luck and demographics, needed a response.
@piranhavator and @vistajay have you heard anything about presidential/trustee yet or receive your FA letters? We’ve only received some Thornton merit.
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@azfhmom I received a trustee yesterday in my portal. I don’t think they are done posting scholarship decisions yet though. Good luck.
@piranhavator Congrats!!!
@hafamama, I agree with you about NMF Presidential mostly being being based on the Junior PSAT score, but the test score alone does not make these kids finalists. They need confirming SAT scores, excellent grades overall, and must submit a LOR and essay. None of that is particularly difficult, but its a drawn out process (16 months from test to final award) that most of these kids and their parents sweat out.
S’s White box and hoodie included lots of paper but no financial aid statement. He got something in an email but I want to see the official financial offer. Was there a misstep here or are others still waiting as well?
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Should have added this is a Thornton admit 
Should have added this is a Thornton admit
Does anyone have opinions on emailing the school about upgrading my scholarship? I was initially nominated for Trustee then downgraded to Presidential. Our family can’t afford USC with a half-tuition scholarship, and I am dying to go to USC if I can.
@lfpparent I have a Thornton admit and she has notice of Thornton scholarship but hasn’t received any FA updates on any academic merit yet.
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My D just sent in the deposit to USC! I’m so excited for her! And happy that she’ll get to live in the Village!
I read somewhere in a USC forum (and confirmed by NMSF) that USC will select around 200 USC admitted students, who have declared USC as their first choice through NMSF, another $1000-2000/year merit scholarship (on top of the half-tuition). Does anoyone know whether USC give this additional $1000-2000/year money only to students who are Presidential/Trustee/etc scholars?
USC gives NMF’s an additional renewable $1000/year as an official school-sponsored NM scholarship. Students who also receive the NMSC $2500 scholarship need to choose one or the other. My D was also offered a renewable $3750 University Scholarship, making her final FA $4750 + 1/2 tuition. I’m not sure what non-NMF Presidential students are offered, but I would assume that many get department or University scholarships on top of their 1/2 tuition. No idea what Trustees get beyond full tuition.
Correction to my post above. We just received formal notification of the $3750 University Scholarship. It’s not completely clear, but it looks like this will be reduced to $2000 for anyone receiving a competitive USC scholarship like the Prssidential or Trustee. I assume this will apply to the NMF Presidential, as well. We’re still grateful for the $2000.
@kcheves my son has the same offer (3750+1000). Really hoping it is not reduced to $2000. Please update if you learn more
@kcheves and @booajo for answering. Good to hear that your DS received notification of the $3750 University Scholarship. Can you please tell me how and when did you find out about this additional scholarship? Also, do either of you qualify for FA? I am concerned that only families who qualify for FA will be receiving the $3750 or $1000/yr additional merit.
I received a trustee scholarship. However, I have yet to receive anything in the mail. WiIl there be a physical letter announcing the trustee scholarship?
@Mom6 the 3750 University Scholarship appeared on the FA page. We do qualify for some FA but I’m not clear how that works once the NMF 1/2 tuition is applied sine I think that will cover everything they think we need
@mom6, my D’s $3750 University Scholarship was listed in the FAST in Section B (gift aid). I believe the $1000 is guaranteed for all NMFs and is not tied to financial aid, but she just selected USC as her first choice school with NMSC and we have not yet received formal notification of this award.
We do not qualify for any need based financial aid.