The National Merit Scholarship (NMSC Scholarship) is a United States academic Scholarship Program competition for recognition and university scholarships.
It is an annual academic competition that is available to all US high school students who meet the entry requirements. Also, the program began in 1955, and till date it celebrates young academic talents and fosters respect for learning.
Nonetheless, in this article we will provide a guide on NMSC Scholarship and everything you need to know about it.
Table of contents
- What Are The Goals Of NMSC Scholarship?
- When To Take The Test?
- How Can Students Tell Whether They Have Met Entry Requirements?
- What is PSAT / NMSQT?
- How To Receive Payment From NMSC Scholarship ?
- Where Can NMSC Scholarship Be Used?
- When Are The Selection Index Qualifying Scores Available?
- When And How Are Students Notified They Are Semifinalists?
- How Can a Student Be Eligible For a Special Scholarship?
- Best NMSC Scholarship Programs
- What Is The Minimum Requirements For a NMSC Scholarship?
What Are The Goals Of NMSC Scholarship?
NMSC’s goals have been constant since its inception:
- To identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students
- To Stimulate Increased Support for their education
- To provide efficient and effective program management for organizations who wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships
Through these endeavors, NMSC, which commits to maintaining the highest standards, has earned a reputation for quality and integrity.
What Are The Competition Rounds For NMSC Scholarships?
Below are the competition rounds for NMSC scholarships:
1. PSAT / NMSQT
The NMSC uses the PSAT / NMSQT as the initial screen of over 1.5 million program entrants. Qualifying scores for commendation are about 207. However, qualifying levels change annually depending on how the top approximately 50,000 high scores fared.
Qualification levels also vary by state, and qualifying levels are higher in competitive states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts.
2. Semifinalist
Semifinal occurs A year after the PSAT / NMSQT was taken. Hence, NMSC determines selection index qualifying scores for further recognition by state and US boarding schools (by geographic region). About 16,000 of the 50,000 are recognized as National Merit Semifinalists in this process.
The Selection Index qualifying scores for Semifinalists standing vary from state to state and from year to year. Also, each state has a percentage of Semifinalists largely on the percentage of that state’s graduating seniors out of the nation’s total.
After the PSAT is taken by students, high school principals are mailed notifications about their Semifinalists. Principals communicate these results to their students.
3. Finalist
Semifinalists must fulfill additional requirements and advance to the finalist level of the competition to be eligible for a Scholarship. Approximately 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists advance to finalist standing by submitting SAT score. Therefore, that confirm the earlier PSAT / NMSQT performance. Also, having an outstanding academic record, and being endorse and recommended by a high school official.
Applicants must also submit an application that includes high school courses, grades, extracurricular avolunteer activities, and a self-descriptive essay. The information that is college about each Semifinalist is use for layer in the process to choose scholarship winners.
All finalists receive a Certificate of Merit in recognition of their outstanding performance in the competition.
4. Scholarships
Out of the 15,000 Finalists, about 8,000 receive Merit Scholarship awards. So, all Finalists are considered for one of the 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarship. Also, all winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
These Scholars were made eligible by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraise a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high school:
- The academic record, including grades earned; scores from two standardized tests
- contributions and leaderships in school and community activities
- An essay written by the finalist; also, a recommendation letter from a high Scholarship official.
When To Take The Test?
The year in which a student takes the PSAT / NMSQT to enter the competition is very important:
- Students who plan to spend the usual four years in high school (grades 9 through 12) before entering college full-time must take the qualifying test in their third year of high school (grade 11, junior year).
- Students who plan to leave high school early to enroll in college full-time after spending three years or less in grades 9 through 12 usually can participate in the National Merit program if they take the PSAT / NMSQT before they finish high school.
- Students who are in both high school and college must take the qualifying test in their third year of high school (grade 11, junior year).
How Can Students Tell Whether They Have Met Entry Requirements?
Students should check their PSAT / NMSQT Score Reports to see whether an asterisk appears next to their selection index score. If an asterisk is present, then the student does not meet entry requirements for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Also, Students should compare their responses on the Entry Requirements Questions section of their score reports to the requirements are available on the Entry Requirements page.
Students should write immediately to NMSC, if they made an error in filling out the Entry Requirements or if their educational plans have changed.
What is PSAT / NMSQT?
The NMSC Uses the PSAT /NMSQT as the initial screen of over 1.5 million program entrants. Also, this test is use to screen program entrants, evaluating their critical reading skills, problem-solving abilities in mathematics, and writing skills.
Students who achieve high scores on the PSAT / NMSQT and meet other program requirements are Semifinalists, finalists, and ultimately, Merit Scholars, who receive Scholarships.
How To Receive Payment From NMSC Scholarship ?
To receive a Sponsorship payment, a Merit Scholarship winner must notify NMSC of plans to enroll in a college or university in the United States that hold accredited status with a regional accrediting commission on higher education. The winner must Plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate course of study leading to a traditional baccalaureate degree.
NMSC Scholarship stipends are not available for distance learning programs, United States service academies, and certain institutions that are limited in their purpose or training.
Where Can NMSC Scholarship Be Used?
NMSC Scholarship payments are exclusively for undergraduate education at a college or university in the United States that holds accredited status with a regional accrediting commission on higher education.
Also, NMSC scholarships are not payable for attendance at service academies or certain institutions that are limited in their purposes or training.
When Are The Selection Index Qualifying Scores Available?
The selection index qualifying scores for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program will be available in the fall following the PSAT / NMSQT administration.
Therefore, Qualifying Selection Index Scores will be distributed to high school officials in the Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program. A PDF Version of this Guide is posted to NMSC’s website in mid-September.
When And How Are Students Notified They Are Semifinalists?
Semifinalists are notified through their schools in early September. Semifinalists who are homeschooled are notified at their home addresses. So, if you advance to finalist standing, you will be notified in early February by mail at your home address.
Also, A student may also access their finalist letter through their Online Scholarship Application account.
How Can a Student Be Eligible For a Special Scholarship?
A special scholarship is a corporate-sponsored award. To be eligible for a special Scholarship, students must meet the sponsor’s criteria and the entry requirements for the National Merit Scholarship Program. They also must submit an entry form with the sponsor.
Best NMSC Scholarship Programs
According to nationalmerit.org, Some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships of three types and approximately 710 special Scholarships will be awarded in 2026.
These 7,580 awards will have a combined value of over $33 million. Different types of scholarships will be offered, but no student can receive more than one monetary award from NMSC.
1. National Merit $2500 Scholarships
These awards are unique, because every finalist is considered for one and winners are named in every state and other section unit. The number awarded in each start is determined by the same representational procedure used to designate Semifinalists.
All finalists compete with each other in their state or section unit for one of the 2,500 Nations Merit $2500 Scholarships. Winners are selected by a committee of college admission officers and high school counselors. It is sponsored by NMSC and other corporate sponsors.
2. Corporate-Sponsored Scholarships
In 2024, about 130 corporations, company foundations, and businesses sponsored scholarships through National Merit Program as part of their educational philanthropy.
These sponsors committed nearly $13 million to support approximately 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards and 710 Special Scholarships for children of employees, or for other accomplished students who meet the sponsor’s criteria.
Finalists who meet a sponsor’s criteria are identified from information Semifinalists supply on their scholarship application. Winners are selected from this pool based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. Some of the program’s corporate sponsors also provide Special Scholarships.
Organizations that sponsor special scholarships make Entry Form available to children of employees or members, or to students with qualifications of interest to the sponsor. These Entry Forms are completed by students (and their parents, if applicable).
Hence, each corporate sponsor specifies the monetary limits of scholarships it finances and decides whether the awards provide one-time payments or fixed stipends that can be renewed for up to four years of college undergraduate study.
3. College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
A college-sponsored scholarship is renewable for up to four years pf undergraduate study at the sponsor institution. It cannot be transferred. Therefore, it is canceled if a winner does not attend the college financing the award. In the 2026 competition.
it is expected that about 3,600 National Merit Sponsorships will be offered to finalists who plan to attend a sponsor college or university. Officials of each sponsor institution choose award recipients from among finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC that the sponsor college or university is their first choice. Each college sponsor chooses the annual stipend their institution offers to award recipients, within a range of $500 to $2,000 per year.
All college-sponsored scholarship recipients at the institution will receive the same stipend amount as determined by the college.
What Is The Minimum Requirements For a NMSC Scholarship?
To be enter and be considered for a National Merit Scholarship (NMSC) applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled full-time as a high school student and aiming for graduation and planning to enroll full-time in college
Be a citizen of the United States or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident intends to become a US citizen at the earliest Opportunities allowed by law
- Submit a detailed scholarship application, which encompasses essays and informations about extracurricular achievements, awards, and leadership positions.
- Tase the Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in the specified year of the high school program, usually the junior (11th grade) year and usually at one’s own school.
To enter the competition, a high student must take the PSAT / NMSQT at a local high school or approved location in the specified year of high school and meet NMSC’s published program requirements. Look above for NMSC Entry Requirements.
Yes. However, the test must be administered at a local high school or approved location. Contact the principal or guidance counselor well in advance of the test day to arrange to take the PSAT / NMSQT at that school.
Conclusion
NMSC Scholarship is a annual academic competition that is opened to all US high school students who meet the entry requirements. Also, this scholarship helps to identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students. This article has provided a guide on NMSC Scholarship and we hope it is helpful to your search.
