USC - National Merit Finalist Presidential Scholarship

If I am chosen as a National Merit Finalist, in order to receive this scholarship at USC for half-tuition, will I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO submit my application by December 1? Or will I be able to hold off until the January 15 deadline? I would love to use this time to polish up my applications, but if I need to submit by December 1, it is fine.

Thanks!

I believe you need to submit by Dec. 1st. Certainly if you want to be considered for full tuition, but also for 1/2 I believe