@sewin2music Thanks for your help. I had a little bit of a freakout last night but after some extensive thought and research I think UCF is where I’m headed. Your information definitely helped restore my confidence… everything you said about UCF was something I wanted in a school (even the gator, because come on, they’re cool). The math also made me feel better about the price of Towers… I’m a pretty low-cost person generally so I’m sure I’ll be able to make it work. I’m flying down next weekend to see the campus for myself, but I’ve loved all the pictures and the campus layout is very nice. I’ve finally made up my mind, so that’s nice.
With that in mind, I was wondering if you could tell me about the Honors/LEAD applications… is the application review holistic, or isolated to the direct application? I have a great topic that works for both program’s essays… the problem is I already wrote about it in my common app. I know admission is “guaranteed” and all that, but Luke’s told me about having to make people redo them in the past, and I just think that would be a SUPER bad way to start my career at UCF. 
@confusion101 Nice!! Maybe we will meet in the fall! I didn’t apply to the LEAD program so I’m not sure about that one. The Honors application is fairly basic with the personal statement and list of extracurriculars. Admission to honors is guaranteed for NMF so I wouldn’t worry too much about the app! I’m petty sure the same goes for LEAD as well. I used almost the same essay from the UCF general admissions app for the honors app and had no issues. I do remember reading something about self plagerism at UCF on CC after I submitted my app, but I had no pronlems with getting admitted. If you’re really worried about it maybe try to gear the over arching lesson learned/theme to the specific program so that they are different?
@sewin2music Thanks for your input! If it worked for you, I think I can figure something out that will be okay with them.
I’m willing to bet UCF will host some functions or something for NMF where we’ll run into each other. If everyone else is as friendly and helpful as you’ve been, I have no doubt I’ll have a great time!
Thanks for everything, you’ve been a massive help!
@confusion101 You’re welcome! I can’t wait for next year!!
According to a few posters in the Bama forums, NMFs were notified by email that the housing offer has increased to four years, from one. It still hasn’t been updated on the website yet, but if true for all applicants, that would mean it is technically now a true “full ride” for NM finalists.
Wow, reading through this thread, I’m really surprised no one has mentioned the amazing University of Florida, and its full-ride/full-cost of attendance scholarship it offers for National Merit Finalists ! I was actually just awarded the Benacquisto Scholarship, which is basically what has been described for UCF above (where leftover funds are deposited back to you) – and IMO, UF is great bc its a top 10 public school in the US !
The COA in-state is ~$21K, and they just recently passed making the Benacquisto for OOS NMF’s too (in hopes of attracting those talented OOS’s), meaning it’d be covering that ~$44K COA so I really think we’ll be seeing an influx into these Florida public schools 
@shadaflorida, how many Benacquistos does UF offer? Is it just a handful? I think a lot of the schools discussed in this thread offer the big awards to ALL NMFs.
@LucieTheLakie I’m not sure how many Benacquistos, but UF sponsored 163 NMS in 2016-2017, while UCF sponsored 73 (UA sponsored 112). These numbers don’t include corporate sponsors, etc. So the number of Benacquistos is at least this number, and likely more when you factor in corporate sponsors.
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/annual_report.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61&sessionid=b69e21eb-f045-4c38-8466-71fb63725f99&cc=1
@LucieTheLakie Don’t quote me on this, but I don’t believe there is a set quota per se – I’ve understood that anyone who qualifies as a national merit finalist and indicates UF as first choice should get the scholarship ! (there aren’t many NMFs to begin with )
^Yep, no quota, the Benacquistos is a state sponsored scholarship, the funding doesn’t come out of the universities budget.
Yes UCF really is a full ride. My son is there right now as a Freshman. He is premed. He was an NMF, high SATs and high GPA. He lives in an apartment on campus, eats at the dining hall, paid tuition, books, laptop, etc. everything is free. We do not qualify for any type of financial aid. He goes to the honors college and is very happy there.
Oh and we are from NH, so out of state.
Hey, let’s say I’m a NMF and I put UF as my first choice school. Is it guaranteed that I get the Benacquisto scholarship or not? I know there are only about 4,000 college sponsored national merit scholarships in total, so that’s why I’m asking. Thanks.
My son is in his first year at USF in Tampa. Complete full ride. Free trip to visit for the semifinalist and one parent. He loves it there. Brand new dorms, cafeterias and rec center. Can’t say enough good things.
My son is on the full cost of attendance scholarship at USF in Tampa. He loves it. We are from MN and he loves it. He went there not knowing anyone. I cannot say enough about the personal attention that we received during our search.
@usfbulls that is great that he is happy there! My daughter toured there and also was impressed with what she saw and the deal for National Merit kids. She also toured UCF though and is leaning more that way. Did you happen to tour both?