<p>What would you say is the largest package for NMSF? I think UCF is pretty high up there:</p>
<p>-In-state scholars finalists receive approximately $68,000 in scholarships
-Out-of-state students receive about $144,000.</p>
<p>-scholars receive guaranteed acceptance into the LEAD Scholars program
-Burnett Honors College
-special privileges that include priority registration, a special orientation program, faculty mentoring, UCF National Merit Scholar mentoring and exclusive research and internship opportunities.
-guaranteed on-campus housing/food for four years
- personalized support
- a laptop</p>
<p>Numerous threads on this topic. However, keep in mind that some of them are packages of different scholarships that have different minimum requirements. Also, factor in housing costs, food costs, etc. For example, Bama has a great, generous package for freshman year that includes top-shelf housing, but does not inlcude Board. As a Freshman you are required to purchase the max meal plan plus $300. To keep it you need a 3.0 (should be doable). It drops down to full tuition for the next three years (still very generous), but nicer dorms (which you will likely select with freshman pacakge) are 4K+ per semester. </p>
<p>Other schools require a 3.5 to keep the package, some include housing all four years (credited to your account so if you live off-campus, you end up with a refund that will cover most of your housing costs in off-campus). </p>
<p>Be sure to run a calculation on what you will spend out of pocket–ask what they don’t cover as well as what they do cover. </p>
<p>Like everything–read between the lines. Most importantly, pick a school and major that will prepare you for your post-college experience, be it grad school or the work force.</p>
<p>I agree. Some packages may have a higher monetary value but those are not necessarily the “best deal” in terms of coming out of college with little to no debt. </p>
<p>For example, OU (where my son will go) gives a great package which is highly promoted, and may be worth more because of the technology and study abroad allowances, but OSU’s package is better in terms of covering almost all yearly expenses. Had my son chosen OSU, we calculated we would owe around $1,000 a year as opposed to the $7,000 at OU.</p>
<p>Do you want automatic/guaranteed scholarships–that any finalist/semi-finalist can just sign up for?
The Fordham scholarship page says “may be considered for this full tuition scholarship.” (Not automatic.)</p>
<p>U. Tulsa Presidential is a big one–about $180K–tuition/fees/room board for 4 years–but it is not automatic. Those finalists who don’t receive the Presidential receive full tuition worth about $140K.</p>
<p>U.Dallas, full tuition–$120K (automatic but limited to about 20 per year.)</p>
<p>U Texas at Dallas–we’re paying less than $1K. Automatic. Worth about $92K out of state.</p>
<p>IMO, what you have left to pay is more important than the “value” assigned to the scholarship.</p>