National Merit Scholarship

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a prestigious academic competition in the United States that recognizes and rewards high-achieving high school students. Administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), it offers various scholarship opportunities based on performance in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

🎯 Eligibility and Selection Process

  1. PSAT/NMSQT Participation: Students typically take the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year (11th grade). The test assesses critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills. Approximately 1.6 million students from around 22,000 high schools enter the competition by taking this test .

  2. Semifinalist Status: Based on PSAT/NMSQT scores, about 16,000 students are designated as Semifinalists. Selection is state-based, with the number of Semifinalists from each state proportional to its share of the nation's graduating seniors .

  3. Advancement to Finalist: Semifinalists must meet additional requirements to become Finalists, including:

    • Submitting a detailed scholarship application.

    • Providing essays and information about extracurricular achievements, awards, and leadership positions.

    • Demonstrating a strong academic record.

    • Receiving an endorsement and recommendation from a high school official.

    • Earning SAT scores that confirm their PSAT performance .

💰 Scholarship Opportunities

Finalists are considered for several types of scholarships:

  1. National Merit $2,500 Scholarship: A one-time award of $2,500, awarded to approximately 2,500 Finalists nationwide. These scholarships are not renewable and are not based on financial need .

  2. Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarships: Offered by about 130 corporations and businesses, these scholarships vary in amount and may support children of employees or students pursuing specific fields of study. In 2024, nearly $13 million was committed to support approximately 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and 710 Special Scholarships .

  3. College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships: Offered by participating colleges and universities to Finalists who plan to attend their institution. These scholarships typically range from $500 to $2,000 per year and are renewable for up to four years .

  4. Special Scholarships: Awarded to high-performing students who do not reach Finalist status but meet specific criteria, such as parental employment with a sponsoring corporation. These awards can be up to $10,000 per year .

📅 Important Dates

  • PSAT/NMSQT Administration: Typically offered in October of the junior year.

  • Semifinalist Notification: Usually occurs in early September of the senior year.

  • Finalist Notification: Typically announced in February.

  • Scholarship Offers: National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are notified in March. Corporate and college-sponsored scholarship offers are made from March through June .

📍 California Context

In California, the competition for National Merit recognition is particularly strong due to the state's large and diverse student population. For instance, in 2025, Reese Casey, a senior at Midland Classical Academy, was named a National Merit Finalist, joining three other Midland County students in receiving this prestigious recognition .

For more detailed information and updates, visit the official National Merit Scholarship Corporation website: www.nationalmerit.org

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