How to Qualify for a National Merit Scholarship With a PSAT
The National Merit Scholarship Program awards high-achieving high school seniors with recognition. A select few receive a $2,500 scholarship to the accredited college or university of their choice. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a non-profit organization, runs the program. They award more than $50 million in college scholarships each year based on PSAT scores and academic performance.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
-
Enter the PSAT Scholarship Program
-
1
Progress through high school on a normal or advanced schedule. Take the PSAT or NMSQT test by your junior year in high school while you are enrolled as a full-time student. Plan to enroll in college right after high school to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.
-
2
Be a United States citizen or apply for permanent residence in the United States with intent to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity.
-
3
Answer the questions regarding the National Merit Scholarship qualifications on the PSAT test. Review the information contained in the "score reports" section of the PSAT regarding eligibility. Report any errors affecting your eligibility to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
-
4
Earn a score on the PSAT that places you in the top 50,000 individuals nationwide who entered the National Merit Scholarship program. This qualifies you for recognition in the program. Upon invitation of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, name two colleges or universities you want to attend.
-
5
Watch your mail in September of your senior year to discover if you qualify as a Commended Student or a National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalist.
-
6
Ask your guidance department for a list of scholarships available for Commended Students if you were not named a semi-finalist.
Become a National Merit Scholar
-
1
Complete the National Merit Scholarship Application by the date set by your school. Maintain your enrollment in high school or be enrolled in college if you completed high school in three years. Continue to meet all other eligibility requirements.
-
2
Obtain an endorsement from your high school principal for Finalist standing.
-
3
Keep your grades up during your junior and senior year of high school in order to qualify for the scholarship. Ask your high school to document your high school grades and provide any other necessary documents.
-
4
Confirm your PSAT scores by taking a current SAT on a date authorized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. File a request to have your SAT scores sent to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Verify that your test scores were sent by looking for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's name on your score report sent by the SAT program.
-
5
Submit any other requested information relevant to the National Merit Scholarship program.
-
6
Look for notification of advancement to Finalist standing in your February mail.
-
7
Wait until mid-March for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to mail scholarship offers to students who have won a scholarship. Watch your mail and hope for the best.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Students who are not citizens need to visit the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website for more information about residency requirements.
National Merit Scholars are chosen on a state-by-state basis to provide representation of the entire country in the program.
