National Merit Scholarship Program

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college scholarships that began in 1955. United States high school students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which serves as an initial screen of over 1.3 million entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

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In October 2025, U.S. high school students who take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) and meet other program requirements will enter the 2027 competition for National Merit Scholarship Program recognition and scholarships. Nearly all program participants (entrants) will be juniors planning to enter college in 2027. NMSC® uses NMSC Selection Index scores (calculated from the Reading and Writing, and Math section scores) to determine 50,000 high-scoring participants who qualify for program recognition.

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In April 2026, NMSC will send a list of high-scoring participants to high school principals and ask them to identify any errors or changes in the reported eligibility of students whose scores will qualify them for recognition in the fall of 2026.

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In late September 2026, more than two-thirds of the 50,000 high scorers will be notified through their high schools that they have qualified as Commended Students. NMSC will provide Letters of Commendation  for schools to present to these students in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. Although Commended Students will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some may be candidates for Special Scholarships provided by corporate and business sponsors 

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In early September 2026, about one-third of the 50,000 high scorers will be notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists—the highest-scoring entrants in each state. NMSC will notify them through their schools and provide scholarship application materials explaining requirements to advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2027.

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In February 2027, Semifinalists who meet academic and other requirements will be notified that they have advanced to Finalist standing and will receive Certificates of Merit attesting to their recognition in the program. All National Merit Scholarship winners (Merit Scholar® awardees) will be chosen from this group of Finalists based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments.

For the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program:

• Be enrolled as a high school student (traditional or homeschooled), progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school by 2025, and planning to accept admission to college no later than the fall of 2025
• Attend high school in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. commonwealths and territories; or meet the citizenship requirements for students attending high school outside the United States.
• Take the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern.

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• October

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT during junior year of high school (October 2025 for the 2027 program)
• Answer the certifying questions during the digital readiness check portion of the exam to be automatically entered into the competition. 

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Finalists will be notified in February, and winners will be announced in March