The National Merit Scholarship is one of the most sought-after awards a high school student can earn. Every year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) awards scholarships to the top 50,000 highest-scoring students who take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
The PSAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and is typically taken during a student’s freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school. It is a practice test for the SAT and also serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive program that recognizes the academic achievements of high school students. The program is divided into two categories: the National Merit Scholarship and the National Achievement Scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship is open to all students who take the PSAT, while the National Achievement Scholarship is only open to African-American students.
To be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, students must score in the top 50,000 on the PSAT. The NMSC then selects approximately 16,000 of these students as semifinalists. From these semifinalists, approximately 15,000 are chosen as finalists. The finalists are then eligible to receive a scholarship award.
The amount of the scholarship award varies depending on the type of scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $5,000, while the National Achievement Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $25,000.
The National Merit Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards a high school student can receive. It is a great honor to be recognized as a National Merit Scholar and it can open up many doors for students. The National Merit Scholarship Program is a great opportunity for students to pursue their academic goals and achieve their dreams.
