Amount: $2,500 (single payment) or varying amounts from colleges/corporations
Deadline: October (PSAT test date)
Level: undergraduate
Renewable: No
About
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that begins with the PSAT/NMSQT. Students who score highly may qualify for various scholarships.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: US
- GPA: N/A (based on PSAT scores)
- Must take the PSAT/NMSQT in the specified year of high school
- Meet specific academic and citizenship requirements
Required Materials
- PSAT/NMSQT scores
- College application (for college-sponsored awards)
- Essays (for college/corporate awards)
Timeline
PSAT taken in junior year. Semifinalists announced in September of senior year. Finalists announced in February. Scholars notified from March-June.
Tips
Focus on performing well on the PSAT/NMSQT. If you become a Finalist, pay close attention to the requirements for college-sponsored and corporate-sponsored scholarships.