National Merit Finalists and impact on tuition

[Anonymous]

I read here that the most selective colleges don't care about merit finalists when it comes to acceptance decisions, but also read that some F500 corporations, non-profits, state colleges, etc. will give "merit scholarships" to any merit finalist who applies. Is it really that straightforward?

Anyone BTDT and know which organizations give out these merit scholarships specifically related to being a finalist? TIA

[Anonymous]

Up to $10,000 and conditions are stringent (e.g., child of an employee). For full details, see https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=1882#:~:text=Varies%20by%20sponsor%E2%80%94%20awards%20can,%241%2C000%20to%20%2410%2C000%20per%20year.&text=High%2Dperforming%20program%20participants%20(although,children%20of%20employees%3B%20or

[Anonymous]

Lots of schools give every NMF a scholarship, but it can range from $500 to a full ride.

[Anonymous]

My high stat UMC kid applied in-state to UMD. He was given full tuition (merit scholarship) + 2K a year for four years as NMS. So, UMD sponsored his NMF scholarship.

[Anonymous]

At Duke, DS received onetime $2500 (1250 over 2 semesters).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high stat UMC kid applied in-state to UMD. He was given full tuition (merit scholarship) + 2K a year for four years as NMS. So, UMD sponsored his NMF scholarship.

Wow. Does anyone know if this is common for NMF at UMD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high stat UMC kid applied in-state to UMD. He was given full tuition (merit scholarship) + 2K a year for four years as NMS. So, UMD sponsored his NMF scholarship.

Wow. Does anyone know if this is common for NMF at UMD?

Full tuition merit must be Banneker Key. Not related to NMF.
https://honors.umd.edu/scholarships-financial-aid/banneker-key-scholars/

[Anonymous]

Usually when it’s a company a parent has to work there.

[Anonymous]

USC gives $20k to NMF that list usc as their first choice; not sure if it’s an automatic in anymore- it used to be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:USC gives $20k to NMF that list usc as their first choice; not sure if it’s an automatic in anymore- it used to be!

It is. In fact, $20k started this year. Was half-tuition off before that.

[Anonymous]

This is way easier to look up for schools in which your kid is interested. Waiting for people on a board to post school by school isn't that useful. Some general info here, but check school by school for requirements.

https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/national-merit-scholarships/

https://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USC gives $20k to NMF that list usc as their first choice; not sure if it’s an automatic in anymore- it used to be!

It is. In fact, $20k started this year. Was half-tuition off before that.

Well it's only the most expensive college in the country now, so that is a major downgrade.

[Anonymous]

Not all colleges participate (my kid's doesn't), and some of the corporate sponsorships are tied to particular programs of study.

[Anonymous]

Three most talked-about colleges (not on DCUM) with full-ride for NMSF/NMF regardless of instate or OOS:

Alabama (NMF only)
UT Dallas (NMF only)
Tulsa (NMSF is enough)

It is difficult to have a comprehensive list because, first, the scholarship amount and conditions can change from year to year, such as Oklahoma which until a few years ago had full-ride for instate/OOS but is now only a big chunk off, and USC which until last year had half-tuition off but is now only $20k off. Second, some full-ride are available for instate but not OOS such as Florida, while some full-tution are available for instate but not OOS such as Iowa State.

If you really want a complete, latest picture of which school offers how much and whether it is for NMSF or NMF and whether it is for instate or OOS or both, you need to do some work. First, google "colleges with national merit scholarships". For each of the first 20 or so hits returned by Google, you make a note of the names of the schools. After you go over several hits, you will see start to see "familiar names," at which point you may stop and visit the school website one-by-one for the latest scholarship details.

I did this a few years ago when I was on a mission to uncover every school out there that offers generous scholarships for one of my children who made NMSF but not NMF due to being immature/lazy (1570 SAT one-time but only 3.4 GPA at a grade-inflated public). I needed the careful distinction between NMSF and NMF and distinction between full-ride and full-tuition. Took me a while to finish the process but we felt like we made informed decisions on where to apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: At Duke, DS received onetime $2500 (1250 over 2 semesters).

Equivalent to throwing a chair off the Titanic.