• STEPHANIE BRAUER
• MARK TEPEN

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955.  High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT^®— a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.3 million entrants each year — and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Semifinalists

In early September, about 16,000 students or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, will be notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists.  To ensure that academically able young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis.  NMSC will provide scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools.  To be considered for a Merit Scholarship^® award, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the materials provided to each Semifinalist.

Finalists

In February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified by mail at their home addresses that they have advanced to Finalist standing.  High school principals will be notified and provided with a certificate to present to each Finalist.  All winners of Merit Scholarship^® awards (Merit Scholar^® designees) will be chosen from the Finalist group, based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments.

Merit Scholar^® Designees

Beginning in March, NMSC will notify approximately 8,000 Finalists that they have been selected to receive a Merit Scholarship^® award.  Merit Scholarship awards are of three types:

• National Merit^® $2500 Scholarships

Every Finalist competes for these single payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state representational basis.

• College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards

Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice.  These awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Merit Scholarship awards are supported by some 550 independent sponsors and by NMSC's own funds.  Sponsor organizations include corporations and businesses, company foundations, professional associations, and colleges and universities.

• Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards

Corporate sponsors designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage.  These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards.

Commended
Congratulations to Robert Wilson, named as a Commended Scholar.In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT^®  will receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise, but they will not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship^® awards.  Some of these students, however, will be candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.
 

Note: Above information about the National Merit Scholarship program was reprinted from the College Board Webpage.