<p>Daughter is a NMF and has applied to 11 colleges. I'd like to find a listing somewhere which tells which of her choices award NMF money and how much before she has to declare her "first choice". Any information about how the different schools decide how much money a students gets would be very interesting to understand, as well. Is March 31st the day when the selective schools make their acceptances available online this year?
cts</p>
<p>Here's a list: <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/l_j/secondhome/National_Merit.html%5B/url%5D">http://homepage.mac.com/l_j/secondhome/National_Merit.html</a></p>
<p>Remember that if she picks a college as her first choice, and she gets the NM scholarship from that college, she is unlikely to get other NM offers. Thus, she should only designate a first choice if she's willing to accept the NM scholarship to go there.</p>
<p>Places like HPYS do not give merit scholarships including NM.</p>
<p>Read the info from NM - the packet you got. It has a list of each college that gives NM money, and the deadlines for declaring first choice. The date is after acceptances go out. NM college scholarships are often only $2000. per year max, $750 if you have no Financial need, although some schools offer more and pair it with other, more lucrative scholarships. Search for National merit on this forum, also "free ride" and you will find links to schools that offer free-rides or good deals for NM finalists. Also, some schools offer preferential packaging for NMS with Financial need - i.e. no loans, just grants. Search this board under those threads and you will find tons of info...</p>