This page provides information specifically for the prestigious National Merit Scholarships. Check below for more scholarships to apply for as a high school student, based on your grade.
For high school juniors who have taken the PSAT/NMSQT test and scored in the top category, as determined by National Merit Scholarship Program (qualifying levels vary by state). About 8,000 students nationally receive $2,500, although non-finalist "commended students" could also qualify for scholarships by various corporations.
There are several rounds to the competition. In the first round, highest ranking students are determined, which essentially means those who rank in the 96th percentile and above, and corresponds to about 50,000 students nationally. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) thus determines a national Selection Index qualifying score (composed of the sum of critical reading + math + writing skills scores, and then multiplying them by two). The students who pass this bar receive the "Commended" recognition. These students, even if they may not later become finalists, may qualify for various other scholarships by numerous other corporations.
Of these 50,000 "Commended Students", approximately 16,000 are later recognized as semifinalists. This step takes place almost a year after the PSAT/NMSQT is taken, thereby corresponding roughly to the beginning of the senior year. For this level, each state has a separate score and a separate quota based on the state population; for some competitive states, scores are much higher than others.
Of these 16,000 semifinalists, a great majority, i.e. approximately 15,000, move to the final stage, by being recognized as finalists. This step is undertaken by means of submitting SAT scores that serve to confirm students' PSAT/NMSQT performance in the prior year, as well as presenting an outstanding academic record and being recommended by a high school official. The students must also submit their high school transcripts, including their grades, as well as a descriptive essay, summarizing their extracurricular and volunteer activities.
Of these 15,000 finalists, a little more than a half, approximately 8,000, become the winners of the scholarship and receive $2,500, as well as being awarded the prestigious title of National Merit Scholarship Winner. These are determined in each state based on how strong their potential is to have a great combination of skills and accomplishments that place them in a unique position for rigorous and successful college study. As with the previous steps, the number of actual winners in each state is also proportional to the state's high school senior population.
Note that although these scholarships are extremely competitive, sought after a great number of students, only to be received after several rounds of competition, even if you did not make it to the finalist level, your "Commended" status may qualify you for other awards, given by various corporations and universities and colleges, a fact that is even more important if you did become a finalist. For all these reasons, there is a lot of merit in taking these exams in your junior year and getting qualified for this prestigious award.
Recent winners of the National Merit Scholarship have spoken highly of the process, describing how it inspired them to excel not only academically but also personally. One winner from Texas shared how the rigorous preparation process for the PSAT/NMSQT taught them discipline and focus, skills that carried over to their college studies. Another recipient from Massachusetts highlighted the scholarship's role in connecting them with a broader network of high-achieving peers and opportunities at top-tier universities. These testimonials illustrate how the National Merit Scholarship is more than just a financial award; it is a transformative experience that prepares students for future success.
Website: https://www.nationalmerit.org
Address: National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200
Evanston, IL 60201-4897
Tel: 847-866-5100
The scholarships provided in the following pages are organized by grade level in high school; there is, thus, no longer any need to go through thousands of resources to find those applicable to you. Having been prepared with high school students in mind, highscholarships.com makes the task rather easy for you.
On this page, you will find numerous scholarships that are specifically for high school seniors. This is when you qualify the most number of scholarships! Do not wait longer!
SHOW ME ↓This page is dedicated to scholarships that are for high school juniors, of which there are plenty. Some of these can be applied for by high school seniors as well.
SHOW ME ↓Here, you can find scholarships for high school sophomores, although some of them are available also to high schoolers at other levels. Start early!
SHOW ME ↓There are also scholarships are for high school freshmen! These are not as many in number as other grade levels, but provide a reason to start early.
SHOW ME ↓It is not too difficult to fully fund your college dream via scholarships. Once you have identified the right opportunities/matches among countless resources, an endeavor highscholarships.com makes easy for you, statistically speaking, even if you had a low success rate, you can fully fund a private college education.