National Merit Scholarship FAQ
Contact
Financial Aid1600 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN, 55105, USA
(Mailing Address)
651-696-6214
800-231-7974
651-696-6866 (fax)
financialaid@macalester.edu
How do I designate Macalester as my first choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation?
National Merit Finalists should log in to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation web site (osa.nationalmerit.org) to designate their first choice school. More information is available from National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
National Merit Finalists must designate Macalester as first choice to receive a National Merit Scholarship.
Does Macalester have a deadline for designating Macalester as first choice?
No, Macalester does not have an institutional deadline. Students must comply with the National Merit procedures and deadlines, however.
What happens if I am awarded a National Merit Scholarship that is sponsored by a non-Macalester entity?
- A student may receive only one National Merit Scholarship, so a student who receives a National Merit Scholarship that is sponsored by a corporation or by National Merit Scholarship Corporation will not receive a Macalester-sponsored National Merit Scholarship.
- If the non-Macalester-sponsored National Merit Scholarship is not renewable (some are available for the student’s first year only), Macalester will provide an award of $2,000 in the student’s subsequent years ($1000 per semester for up to six semesters). This award will usually be provided in the form of a DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarship.
- If the non-Macalester-sponsored National Merit Scholarship is less than $2,000 per year, Macalester will provide funds to make the award equal to $2,000 per year. For example, if a National Merit Scholar receives a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship of $1,500 per year, Macalester will provide an additional $500 per year. This additional funding will usually be provided in the form of a DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarship.
How are National Merit Scholarships renewed?
Macalester does not have renewal requirements for National Merit Scholarships, but National Merit Scholarship Corporation does. Students must follow the National Merit Scholarship Corporation procedures to renew their National Merit Scholarships.