My friend told me that some National Merit Scholarship recipients get full ride scholarships. Is this true, and if it is, how common is it? Also, are there specific colleges that offer full rides for National Merit Scholars?
It is true that some National Merit Scholarship recipients receive full ride scholarships, but it is not guaranteed for all winners. The opportunities for financial awards can vary greatly depending on the college or university. Sponsorships and scholarship amounts may differ from one institution to another, and some schools may offer more comprehensive packages to National Merit Scholars than others.
Certain colleges are known to provide generous financial aid or full rides to National Merit semifinalists or finalists. For example, the University of Alabama and the University of Oklahoma are among those known for such scholarships. You can see this blog post for more institutions with full-ride of full-tuition scholarships for semifinalists and finalists: https://blog.collegevine.com/national-merit-scholarship-full-ride
It's important to note that the National Merit Scholarship Program provides different types of scholarships, such as National Merit $2500 Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships. The amount and type of scholarship you receive will depend on your specific circumstances and the college you attend.
In conclusion, while full ride scholarships for National Merit Scholars do exist, they are not guaranteed or uniform across all colleges.
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