National Merit Scholarship Program: What Is It and How It Works?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Did your student already take the PSAT or are they about to? Let me know in the comments below!

[@AGradeAboveCollegePlanning]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@carwash4836]

I’m currently a junior and I just took the psat today (October 12) and I’m kind of confused by how the application process works for the merit scholarship. Did I already miss my chance to apply? And when you say semi finalist are notified in September do you mean senior year? I know this video is on the older side so thanks for taking the time to read this

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

The PSAT scores are automatically sent - so you are still good! The National Merit Scholarship program notifies semifinalists and commended students in September of their senior year. Good luck!

[@sarcwhole]

Will the app come Feb of junior year? Or senior year? My son got a 1500 on the psat and I’m wondering what to do in case the school drops the ball.

[@iycrra75]

Thanks for the vid. My HS Junior son just found out he scored perfect, 1520, on PSAT. What are the next steps he needs to do? Thank you.

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Schools will notify students on the next step if they qualify as a semifinalist - usually this happens the fall of the year after taking the PSAT.

[@MrLizgovea]

Still confusing all the info, could you please go by detail. My child is a junior 2022 should take the PSAT or SAT?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Juniors usually take the PSAT, which could qualify them for the National Merit Scholarship Program. After taking the PSAT, your child could take the SAT, still in the junior year.

[@Josh-du3df]

I was notified today that I qualified for this scholarship. I am currently a junior in high school, what is the next step in the application process and will I receive some sort of application to fill out or do I need to do all of that myself? Also, can qualifying for it alone help me on my transcript when applying to colleges or is that only if I become a finalist?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

That's awesome! The organization will notify students through their schools and provide scholarship application materials explaining requirements to advance - if you haven't received any application materials, you may want to reach out to your guidance counselor. While it doesn't hurt to include it on your transcript, regardless of which level you achieve, schools really only take notice of the finalists.

[@Hanna-dq8ce]

So only juniors only? What about the freshman and sophomore?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

The National Merit Scholarship program is only for high school juniors. Freshman and Sophomores can take the PSAT test, but won't participate in the merit scholarship programs.

[@angiemuller4411]

Is it too late for my student in college freshman for Merit scholarship?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

The National Merit Scholarship Program is only for high school students. But, many colleges and organizations offer other merit scholarships based on different criteria. A good place to start would be to look at the college's financial aid website. Many colleges list institutional and outside scholarship opportunities for college students.

[@leamiller9209]

Is it too late to take PSAT test if the student is already a junior right now?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Your student can still take it!

[@MrLizgovea]

@@TheScholarshipSystem still taking on Junior year the PSAT or SAT?

[@jpinto811]

We never took psat but my kids took ACT- they got 35 and 33. Is rising senior year too late to apply?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Yes. The program is only for juniors in high school.

[@jamoca67]

We are homeschooling parents who do not have the benefit of a guidance counselor to keep track of these deadlines! My son really wants to go to college, but we told him we can't afford it. He is currently a junior in high school in his second semester with good grades. He will be taking the ACT's for the first time this spring.

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

This article might be helpful: thescholarshipsystem.com/blog-for-students-families/7-useful-college-scholarship-tips-homeschoolers/

[@chloejung2643]

My HS Junior son got 1560 on SAT and 1520 on PAST. Does he need to apply NMSP now ? Thank you.

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Schools will notify students that are semifinalists invited to continue the application process. Usually, it happens the fall of the year after taking the test.

[@chloejung2643]

@@TheScholarshipSystem Thank you

[@readar727]

According to National Merit website - About 95% (over 15,000) of the Semifinalists are expected to become Finalists and receive a Certificate of Merit attesting to their distinguished performance in the competition. This is different from the 7500 out of a Million comment. Could you kindly clarify?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

There are over a million juniors that take the PSAT each year. Of that, only Approximately 7,140 National Merit Scholarships will be awarded. www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=435 Not all finalists are awarded a scholarship.

[@pragnapinninti3995]

I am from india can I apply for NMSC

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Our content is for students living in the US attending college in the US.

[@kappykm]

1520 full score

[@pragnapinninti3995]

Congratulations Can students from india apply for NMSC

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

Woo!

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

To be eligible for the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, a student attending high school outside the United States must be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by la

[@loriuyetanaka3945]

What if my daughter did ACT?

[@TheScholarshipSystem]

The National Merit Scholarship Program is based on taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) during the junior year of high school. The PSAT/NMSQT is the only qualifying test.

[@loriuyetanaka3945]

@@TheScholarshipSystem that’s too bad.