Macalester sponsors a National Merit Scholarship for admitted students who reach National Merit Finalist status and designate Macalester as their first-choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The award is typically $2,000 a year; if a Finalist already holds a non-Macalester-sponsored National Merit award that is non-renewable or below $2,000, Macalester tops it up to reach that amount. There is no separate Macalester application — students simply follow the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own Finalist procedures and deadlines, and Macalester does not add renewal requirements of its own.
Eligibility
DemographicsRequires admission to Macalester College and National Merit Finalist status with Macalester designated as first-choice; automatic once NMSC processes that designation — no separate Macalester application.
Applying
Typically $2,000/year — the same amount Macalester uses as its top-up threshold for non-Macalester-sponsored National Merit awards.