# National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a prestigious academic competition for US high school students. Over $30 million in scholarships are awarded annually based on PSAT/NMSQT scores, academic record, and leadership.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | National Merit Scholarship Corporation |
| Category | other |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | 2026-10-17 (verified 2026-07-04) |
| Eligibility | Grade 11 |
| Format | Online / virtual |
| Location | National |
| Apply | https://www.nationalmerit.org/ |

## About this program

## About the National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States, recognizing exceptional academic talent in high school students. The program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a nonprofit organization.

### How It Works

Students enter the program by taking the **PSAT/NMSQT** in their junior year (11th grade). High scorers become Semifinalists, then Finalists, competing for three types of scholarships:

- **National Merit $2,500 Scholarships** — One-time awards funded by NMSC
- **Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards** — Funded by over 400 corporations and businesses
- **College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards** — Renewable awards funded by 180+ colleges

### Eligibility Requirements

- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled full-time as a high school student
- Taking the PSAT/NMSQT in junior year (10th grade for early entry)
- Planning to enroll full-time in college the fall after high school graduation

### Timeline

- **October**: Take PSAT/NMSQT
- **September following year**: Semifinalists announced (top ~16,000 scorers)
- **February**: Finalists announced (~15,000 students)
- **March–June**: Scholarship winners notified

Over 1.5 million students enter the competition each year, with about 7,500 Merit Scholarship winners selected annually.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does National Merit Scholarship Program cost?

National Merit Scholarship Program is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### What is the application deadline for National Merit Scholarship Program?

The application deadline is October 17, 2026 (deadline last verified July 4, 2026). Always confirm on the program's official site, as dates can shift between cycles.

### Who is eligible for National Merit Scholarship Program?

National Merit Scholarship Program is open to high school juniors. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is National Merit Scholarship Program online or in person?

National Merit Scholarship Program is fully online — students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

### How do I apply to National Merit Scholarship Program?

Apply directly through National Merit Scholarship Corporation's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-04.
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