Half a century ago, the National Merit Scholarship Program established a scheme to secure financial help for students who excelled in their studies, with the quest for higher education being the most important of concerns. Each consecutive year, thousands of high school students flock to facing a competition for the National Merit Scholarship.
What does it take to be declared a National Merit Scholar?
How can you increase your chances of grabbing this highly sought-after award? This guide aims to cover everything from eligibility criteria to the selection process so that you are ready to move forward.
A Brief Background of the National Merit Scholarships Program
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition in the United States for high school students and is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization. To enter the program, the students take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) generally in their junior year.
Of the 1.3 million people who take the tests every year, approximately 7,500 earn scholarships. The competition is hot, but if one prepares himself or herself well and puts into play a certain degree of strategy, establishing oneself among the strongest contenders to win it is very possible.
Key Dates for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program
- October 2024: Take the PSAT/NMSQT (the qualifying test for the 2026 program);
- September 2025: Semifinalists will be announced;
- February 2026: Finalists will be notified;
- Spring 2026: Selection of scholarship winners.
How to Qualify for National Merit Scholarship
Eligibility includes:
- Taking the PSAT/NMSQT while in the junior year (or third year in high school).
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (or reside in a U.S. territory while studying).
- Must plan to be accepted to a college for full-time studies following high school graduation in the next fall.
Your PSAT score is the key. The NMSC will review the data and will compute a Selection Index which is applied by state; each state’s cutoff will differ. Essentially, you want to be in the top 1% scoring in your state in order to advance as a Semifinalist.
The National Merit Selection Process: From Commended to Finalist
1. Commended Students (Top 3-4%)
- About 34,000 students receive this recognition.
- While they don’t advance to the semifinalist round, they may qualify for Special Scholarships from corporations or colleges.
2. Semifinalists (Top 1%)
- Roughly 16,000 students become Semifinalists.
- To advance, they must submit:
- High school transcripts
- A recommendation letter (usually from a principal or counselor)
- A personal essay
3. Finalists (Approx. 15,000 Students)
- Finalists demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
- They must also confirm their PSAT performance with a strong SAT score.
4. Scholarship Winners (7,500 Awards)
Finalists compete for three types of scholarships:
- $2500 National Merit Scholarships (one-time awards)
- Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships (for employees’ families or students pursuing specific fields)
- College-Sponsored Awards (renewable for four years at participating universities)
How to Improve Your Chances of Winning
1. Prepare Early for the PSAT/NMSQT
- Take practice tests and review key concepts in Math, Reading, and Writing.
- Aim for a score well above your state’s cutoff to secure Semifinalist status.
2. Maintain Strong Academics
- Your GPA and course rigor matter—colleges and the NMSC look for consistent excellence.
3. Write a Compelling Scholarship Application
- Your essay should highlight your unique experiences, challenges, and goals.
- Secure a strong recommendation letter from a teacher or counselor who knows you well.
4. Score Well on the SAT
- Since Finalists must submit SAT scores, continue test prep even after the PSAT.
Beyond the Scholarship: Additional Benefits
Even if you don’t win a monetary award, being a Commended Student or Semifinalist is a major achievement that can:
- Strengthen college applications
- Qualify you for other scholarships
- Open doors to honors programs at top universities