What is the National Merit Scholarship Program?
• National Merit is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the program by taking the PSAT and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements. Of the 1.3 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT score qualify for recognition in the program. In April following the fall test administration, high scoring participants from every state are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. In September, the high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended student or Semifinalist.
