The National Merit Scholarship Program is a United States academic scholarship competition for recognition and university scholarships. The program is managed by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a privately funded not-for-profit organization based in Evanston, Illinois.[1] The program began in 1955.
Each year, the NMSC conducts a competition that is open to all students who meet the entry requirements. Until 2015, the NMSC also administered the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which was specifically for African-American students.[2]
The highest performers in the National Merit Scholarship Program are named National Merit Scholars.[3] Finalists and Semifinalists are also recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements. Commended Students are selected based on a nationally applied Selection Index score, which may vary annually and is typically below the level required for participants to be named Semifinalists in their respective states. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is used as the qualifying test for entry into each year's competitions.[4]
Each year, about 1.6 million students from around 22,000 high schools enter the National Merit Scholarship competition when they take the PSAT/NMSQT.[5] This test is used to screen program entrants, evaluating their critical reading skills, problem-solving abilities in mathematics, and writing skills.[6] Semifinalists are chosen on a state representational basis, depending on the total number of entrants and in proportion to each state's share of the nation's high school graduating seniors.[7] Semifinalists represent the top 0.5 percent of the state's senior students.[8]
To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must meet certain requirements to advance to Finalist standing. This includes submitting a detailed scholarship application, which encompasses essays and information about extracurricular achievements, awards, and leadership positions. They must also demonstrate a strong academic record, receive an endorsement and recommendation from a school official, and earn SAT scores that confirm their qualifying test performance. A specific number of students, which varies each year, advance to Finalist standing based on these criteria. At the end of the competition, a select group of Finalists are chosen to receive $2500 National Merit Scholarships.[9] Scholarship winners represent less than 1% of the initial pool of student entrants.[8]
- ^ "NMSC Corporate Brochure" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 19, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
- ^ NMSC Vital Facts – United Negro College Fund Archived 2015-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "National Merit Scholarship – Winner Selection". National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Archived from the original on 2006-10-02.
- ^ "National Merit Scholarship Program – Student Entry Requirements". National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Archived from the original on 2006-10-02.
- ^ "National Merit Scholarship Competition".
- ^ "College Board – PSAT/NMSQT – A Vital Step on the Path to College Success". College Board.
- ^ "National Merit Scholarship Corporation". Your Financial Aid Office. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ a b "National Merit Scholarship Winners" (PDF). Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ "Announcement of National Merit Scholarship Winners" (PDF). National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-09.