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.
The 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program has the following steps:
In April 2024, NMSC will send a list of high-scoring participants from the October 2023 PSAT 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 2024.
In late September 2024, more than two-thirds of the 50,000 high scorers will be notified that they have qualified as Commended Students. NMSC will notify them through their schools and provide Letters of Commendation 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. These special scholarships will be announced in March 2025.
In early September 2024, 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 2025.
In February 2025, 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.
Beginning in March 2025, NMSC will notify 7,140 winners of the three types of National Merit Scholarships:
- National Merit® $2,500 Scholarships
- Corporate-sponsored scholarships
- College-sponsored scholarships
Location(s)
- Remote
Schedule
- Annually during junior year of high school (October PSAT)
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
For the 2025 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 2023 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.
Deadline
- October
Application or Entry Requirements
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT during junior year of high school (October 2023 for the 2025 program)
- Answer the certifying questions during the digital readiness check portion of the exam to be automatically entered into the competition.
Notifications of Decisions
Finalists will be notified in February, and winners will be announced in March
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a U.S.-based non-profit organization established in 1955 that aims to identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students, stimulate increased support for their education, and provide efficient and effective program management for organizations that wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships.
