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National Merit Scholarship Program
High school juniors may qualify for National Merit Scholarships by
receiving a high score on the PSAT taken in October of the junior year.
Juniors need a high selectivity index score in the 99 percentile range. Not
all students in the 99 percentile range will be National Merit Semifinalists.
Each state has a different cut off for the selection of National Merit
Semifinalists.
The score is obtained from the total of three sections on the PSAT: the
critical reading, math and writing scores. The highest score would be 240
(80+80+80=240) since each section of the PSAT ranges from 20 to 80
points.
If a student receives a high PSAT score as a sophomore, the student
will not be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT must
be taken in the junior year in order to be considered for National Merit
status.
Not all colleges participate in the National Merit scholarship program.
However, it is a great honor to be a National Merit Semifinalist and to
compete for National Merit Scholarships. Colleges are very interested in
students who are National Merit Semifinalists.
Student who are National Merit Semifinalists have an opportunity to
compete for National Merit Scholarships. The student must take a SAT test
and send a letter of recommendation from their counselor. This
information will be mailed to qualified student.
National Merit Scholarships can come from college or corporate sponsors.
The Ivies, Stanford and other highly selective colleges do not participate in
the program.
See the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT for a list of college merit
scholarship sponsors. This booklet is available from you high school or at
the NMSC website at: www.nationalmerit.org
PSAT results are mailed to the high school in December.
In April of the junior year, a total of 50,000 high scorers from the
PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index (math, critical reading and writing)
will be contacted to determine qualification for program recognition.
Qualification means the following: a full-time high school student, a junior
in high school, and a citizen of the United States. Student who do not meet
these qualifications will have an asterisk by their score. For example: a
sophomore or a non U.S. Citizen will not qualify. Among the 50,000, only
students who will be commended or national merit semifinalists will be
invited to name two colleges for the competition. Other students in this
group will be able to name two colleges through the College Plans
Reporting Service. Their information will be sent to the colleges but these
students will not compete for scholarships. The selectivity number for
commended students will not be revealed at this time. It was 201 last year.
Students will be notified if they receive National Merit status in
September of their senior year. Some students who receive a score
below the semifinalist cutoff may receive commended status. The
semifinalist scores vary for each state. There is only one commended
score for the entire country. Each high school principal will receive
notification of National Merit Semi-Finalists and Commended students in
September. Current juniors need to look at last year's scores on this
website for their state cutoff scores.
2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition
If you took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2009 of your junior year and you
received a very high score, you may be entered in the 2011 competition for
National Merit Scholarships. In September, 2010, 34,000 commended
students will receive Letters of Commendation. These students will not
continue in the competition.
In September 2010, 16,000 high scorers will qualify as semifinalists.
In February, 2011, semifinalists who meet academic and other
requirements will advance to Finalist standing.
In March 2011, winners of special scholarships will be notified.
Check the list below for prior year qualifying scores in your state.
Qualifying Scores for the Class of 2010 National Merit Semifinalists:
Alabama 208
Alaska 211
Arizona 210
Arkansas 203
California 218
Colorado 213
Connecticut 218
Delaware 219
District of Columbia 221
Florida 211
Georgia 214
Hawaii 214
Idaho 209
Illinois 214
Indiana 211
Iowa 209
Kansas 211
Kentucky 209
Louisiana 207
Maine 213
Maryland 221
Massachusetts 221
Michigan 209
Minnesota 215
Mississippi 203
Missouri 211
Montana 204
Nebraska 207
Nevada 202
New Hampshire 213
New Jersey 221
New Mexico 208
New York 218
North Carolina 214
North Dakota 202
Ohio 211
Oklahoma 207
Oregon 213
Pennsylvania 214
Rhode Island 217
South Carolina 211
South Dakota 205
Tennessee 213
Texas 216
Utah 206
Vermont 213
Virginia 218
Washington 217
West Virginia 203
Wisconsin 207
Wyoming 201
New England/Mid Atlantic Boarding Schools 221
Commended 201
International 221
Qualifying scores for the Class of 2009 National Merit Semifinalists:
Alabama 209
Alaska 212
Arizona 209
Arkansas 204
California 217
Colorado 213
Connecticut 218
Delaware 219
District of Columbia 221
Florida 211
Georgia 215
Hawaii 216
Idaho 208
Illinois 214
Indiana 213
Iowa 210
Kansas 211
Kentucky 209
Louisiana 208
Maine 212
Maryland 220
Massachusetts 221
Michigan 209
Minnesota 214
Mississippi 201
Missouri 213
Montana 208
Nebraska 206
Nevada 206
New Hampshire 211
New Jersey 220
New Mexico 209
New York 216
North Carolina 215
North Dakota 201
Ohio 213
Oklahoma 208
Oregon 213
Pennsylvania 213
Rhode Island 213
South Carolina 212
South Dakota 205
Tennessee 213
Texas 215
Utah 203
Vermont 213
Virginia 219
Washington 217
West Virginia 203
Wisconsin 210
Wyoming 201
International 221
U.S. Territories 201
Qualifying Scores for the Class of 2008 National Merit Semifinalists:
Alabama 209
Alaska 213
Arizona 211
Arkansas 201
California 218
Colorado 213
Connecticut 217
Delaware 219
District of Columbia 223
Florida 212
Georgia 214
Hawaii 213
Idaho 204
Illinois 213
Indiana 213
Iowa 209
Kansas 212
Kentucky 208
Louisiana 206
Maine 211
Maryland 221
Massachusetts 223
Michigan 209
Minnesota 213
Mississippi 202
Missouri 211
Montana 207
Nebraska 207
Nevada 208
New Hampshire 215
New Jersey 221
New Mexico 208
New York 219
North Carolina 214
North Dakota 202
Ohio 211
Oklahoma 207
Oregon 213
Pennsylvania 214
Rhode Island 212
South Carolina 210
South Dakota 203
Tennessee 213
Texas 215
Utah 202
Vermont 216
Virginia 217
Washington 215
West Virginia 200
Wisconsin 208
Wyoming 200
National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP)
This program provides recognition for outstanding Hispanic/Latino high
school students. You must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino, meet
the minimum PSAT/NMSQT cutoff score for your state which varies each
year, and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Scholar Finalists
had a GPA of 3.5 or higher and Honorable Mention Finalists had a GPA of
3.0 to 3.49.
Each year, the NHRP identifies nearly 5,000 students from the United
States and U.S. Territories who take the PSAT/NMSQT and designate
themselves as Hispanic/Latino. The NHRP does not provide a financial
reward. Being named is an important academic recognition and the
colleges participating in the program will receive this information.
If you failed to identify yourself as Hispanic/Latino when you took the PSAT,
you can ask your high school counselor to request a nomination form from
College Board.
For more information, send an email to: nhrp@collegeboard.org or call:
800-626-9795, extension 5849.
National Achievement Scholarship Program
This program provides recognition for outstanding Black American high
school students. Black students may enter the National Merit Program and
the National Achievement Scholarship Program by taking the
PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October. Information on
entry requirements and program recognition is available at:
http://www.nationalmerit.org/prn_nasp.php
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why do the semifinalist qualifying scores for each state change every
year?
A. According to the National Merit Scholarship Program, the qualifying
score is based on the state's percentage of the national total of high
school graduating seniors.
Q. What do I do if I cannot take the PSAT on the date my school offers it?
A. Contact your high school counselor. You may be able to take the PSAT at
another school on a different date.
Q. I missed the PSAT in October. Can I still take the test?
A. If you missed the PSAT because of illness, an emergency, or other
extenuating circumstances, you may be able to enter the competition. Write
to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, 1560 Sherman Avenue,
Suite 200, Evanston, IL 60201-4897 as soon as possible but no later than
March 1. The phone number is: 847-866-5100.
Q. When will Semifinalists be notified that they have advanced to Finalist
standing?
A. In February. The information will be mailed to the high school principal
on February 2 and mailed to the student's home on February 9, 2010.
If you plan to study in another country when the test is given, you need to
contact the PSAT Office at: PSAT/NMSQT, PO Box 6720, Princeton, NJ
08541-6720 or email: psat@info.collegeboard.org or call: 609-771-7070
or FAX: 609-530-0482.
Q. Are there any special opportunities for African American or Black
Juniors?
A. A free college advisory and referral service is available for student who
plan to attend a two-year or four-year college. You need to indicate you are
African American or Black.
For more information:
National Scholarship Service
230 Peachtree Street, Suite 530
Atlanta, CA 30303
404-522-7260
Q. Are there any special opportunities for Hispanic or Latino Juniors?
A. The National Hispanic Recognition Program provides information to
colleges for academically talented students. You need to indicate that you
are Hispanic or Latino.
For more information:
The College Board National Hispanic Recognition Programs
11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 300
Reston, VA 20190-5602
800-626-9795
Q. Are there any special opportunities for Juniors with talent in the
humanities and social sciences?
A. Telluride Association offers scholarships for summer seminars to highly
gifted juniors.
For more information:
Telluride Association
217 West Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-5011
Q. How do I contact the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to make
a change in my school choice? (For Finalists)
A. Go to: www.nationalmerit.org and select FAQ. You can print the form to
change your college choice and sign and FAX the form back. May 31 is the
deadline to change your college choice. Be aware that many colleges do
not participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Since colleges
have a limited number of National Merit Scholarships to offer students, it is
possible to select a college and not be picked for a National Merit
Scholarship. Students who score high enough to achieve National Merit
status have many other scholarship options. Check with the college
scholarship office as well as the scholarship page on this website.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200
Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897
847-866-5100
www.nationalmerit.org
High school juniors may qualify for National Merit Scholarships by
receiving a high score on the PSAT taken in October of the junior year.
Juniors need a high selectivity index score in the 99 percentile range. Not
all students in the 99 percentile range will be National Merit Semifinalists.
Each state has a different cut off for the selection of National Merit
Semifinalists.
The score is obtained from the total of three sections on the PSAT: the
critical reading, math and writing scores. The highest score would be 240
(80+80+80=240) since each section of the PSAT ranges from 20 to 80
points.
If a student receives a high PSAT score as a sophomore, the student
will not be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. The PSAT must
be taken in the junior year in order to be considered for National Merit
status.
Not all colleges participate in the National Merit scholarship program.
However, it is a great honor to be a National Merit Semifinalist and to
compete for National Merit Scholarships. Colleges are very interested in
students who are National Merit Semifinalists.
Student who are National Merit Semifinalists have an opportunity to
compete for National Merit Scholarships. The student must take a SAT test
and send a letter of recommendation from their counselor. This
information will be mailed to qualified student.
National Merit Scholarships can come from college or corporate sponsors.
The Ivies, Stanford and other highly selective colleges do not participate in
the program.
See the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT for a list of college merit
scholarship sponsors. This booklet is available from you high school or at
the NMSC website at: www.nationalmerit.org
PSAT results are mailed to the high school in December.
In April of the junior year, a total of 50,000 high scorers from the
PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index (math, critical reading and writing)
will be contacted to determine qualification for program recognition.
Qualification means the following: a full-time high school student, a junior
in high school, and a citizen of the United States. Student who do not meet
these qualifications will have an asterisk by their score. For example: a
sophomore or a non U.S. Citizen will not qualify. Among the 50,000, only
students who will be commended or national merit semifinalists will be
invited to name two colleges for the competition. Other students in this
group will be able to name two colleges through the College Plans
Reporting Service. Their information will be sent to the colleges but these
students will not compete for scholarships. The selectivity number for
commended students will not be revealed at this time. It was 201 last year.
Students will be notified if they receive National Merit status in
September of their senior year. Some students who receive a score
below the semifinalist cutoff may receive commended status. The
semifinalist scores vary for each state. There is only one commended
score for the entire country. Each high school principal will receive
notification of National Merit Semi-Finalists and Commended students in
September. Current juniors need to look at last year's scores on this
website for their state cutoff scores.
2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition
If you took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2009 of your junior year and you
received a very high score, you may be entered in the 2011 competition for
National Merit Scholarships. In September, 2010, 34,000 commended
students will receive Letters of Commendation. These students will not
continue in the competition.
In September 2010, 16,000 high scorers will qualify as semifinalists.
In February, 2011, semifinalists who meet academic and other
requirements will advance to Finalist standing.
In March 2011, winners of special scholarships will be notified.
Check the list below for prior year qualifying scores in your state.
Qualifying Scores for the Class of 2010 National Merit Semifinalists:
Alabama 208
Alaska 211
Arizona 210
Arkansas 203
California 218
Colorado 213
Connecticut 218
Delaware 219
District of Columbia 221
Florida 211
Georgia 214
Hawaii 214
Idaho 209
Illinois 214
Indiana 211
Iowa 209
Kansas 211
Kentucky 209
Louisiana 207
Maine 213
Maryland 221
Massachusetts 221
Michigan 209
Minnesota 215
Mississippi 203
Missouri 211
Montana 204
Nebraska 207
Nevada 202
New Hampshire 213
New Jersey 221
New Mexico 208
New York 218
North Carolina 214
North Dakota 202
Ohio 211
Oklahoma 207
Oregon 213
Pennsylvania 214
Rhode Island 217
South Carolina 211
South Dakota 205
Tennessee 213
Texas 216
Utah 206
Vermont 213
Virginia 218
Washington 217
West Virginia 203
Wisconsin 207
Wyoming 201
New England/Mid Atlantic Boarding Schools 221
Commended 201
International 221
Qualifying scores for the Class of 2009 National Merit Semifinalists:
Alabama 209
Alaska 212
Arizona 209
Arkansas 204
California 217
Colorado 213
Connecticut 218
Delaware 219
District of Columbia 221
Florida 211
Georgia 215
Hawaii 216
Idaho 208
Illinois 214
Indiana 213
Iowa 210
Kansas 211
Kentucky 209
Louisiana 208
Maine 212
Maryland 220
Massachusetts 221
Michigan 209
Minnesota 214
Mississippi 201
Missouri 213
Montana 208
Nebraska 206
Nevada 206
New Hampshire 211
New Jersey 220
New Mexico 209
New York 216
North Carolina 215
North Dakota 201
Ohio 213
Oklahoma 208
Oregon 213
Pennsylvania 213
Rhode Island 213
South Carolina 212
South Dakota 205
Tennessee 213
Texas 215
Utah 203
Vermont 213
Virginia 219
Washington 217
West Virginia 203
Wisconsin 210
Wyoming 201
International 221
U.S. Territories 201
Qualifying Scores for the Class of 2008 National Merit Semifinalists:
Alabama 209
Alaska 213
Arizona 211
Arkansas 201
California 218
Colorado 213
Connecticut 217
Delaware 219
District of Columbia 223
Florida 212
Georgia 214
Hawaii 213
Idaho 204
Illinois 213
Indiana 213
Iowa 209
Kansas 212
Kentucky 208
Louisiana 206
Maine 211
Maryland 221
Massachusetts 223
Michigan 209
Minnesota 213
Mississippi 202
Missouri 211
Montana 207
Nebraska 207
Nevada 208
New Hampshire 215
New Jersey 221
New Mexico 208
New York 219
North Carolina 214
North Dakota 202
Ohio 211
Oklahoma 207
Oregon 213
Pennsylvania 214
Rhode Island 212
South Carolina 210
South Dakota 203
Tennessee 213
Texas 215
Utah 202
Vermont 216
Virginia 217
Washington 215
West Virginia 200
Wisconsin 208
Wyoming 200
National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP)
This program provides recognition for outstanding Hispanic/Latino high
school students. You must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino, meet
the minimum PSAT/NMSQT cutoff score for your state which varies each
year, and achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Scholar Finalists
had a GPA of 3.5 or higher and Honorable Mention Finalists had a GPA of
3.0 to 3.49.
Each year, the NHRP identifies nearly 5,000 students from the United
States and U.S. Territories who take the PSAT/NMSQT and designate
themselves as Hispanic/Latino. The NHRP does not provide a financial
reward. Being named is an important academic recognition and the
colleges participating in the program will receive this information.
If you failed to identify yourself as Hispanic/Latino when you took the PSAT,
you can ask your high school counselor to request a nomination form from
College Board.
For more information, send an email to: nhrp@collegeboard.org or call:
800-626-9795, extension 5849.
National Achievement Scholarship Program
This program provides recognition for outstanding Black American high
school students. Black students may enter the National Merit Program and
the National Achievement Scholarship Program by taking the
PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October. Information on
entry requirements and program recognition is available at:
http://www.nationalmerit.org/prn_nasp.php
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Why do the semifinalist qualifying scores for each state change every
year?
A. According to the National Merit Scholarship Program, the qualifying
score is based on the state's percentage of the national total of high
school graduating seniors.
Q. What do I do if I cannot take the PSAT on the date my school offers it?
A. Contact your high school counselor. You may be able to take the PSAT at
another school on a different date.
Q. I missed the PSAT in October. Can I still take the test?
A. If you missed the PSAT because of illness, an emergency, or other
extenuating circumstances, you may be able to enter the competition. Write
to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, 1560 Sherman Avenue,
Suite 200, Evanston, IL 60201-4897 as soon as possible but no later than
March 1. The phone number is: 847-866-5100.
Q. When will Semifinalists be notified that they have advanced to Finalist
standing?
A. In February. The information will be mailed to the high school principal
on February 2 and mailed to the student's home on February 9, 2010.
If you plan to study in another country when the test is given, you need to
contact the PSAT Office at: PSAT/NMSQT, PO Box 6720, Princeton, NJ
08541-6720 or email: psat@info.collegeboard.org or call: 609-771-7070
or FAX: 609-530-0482.
Q. Are there any special opportunities for African American or Black
Juniors?
A. A free college advisory and referral service is available for student who
plan to attend a two-year or four-year college. You need to indicate you are
African American or Black.
For more information:
National Scholarship Service
230 Peachtree Street, Suite 530
Atlanta, CA 30303
404-522-7260
Q. Are there any special opportunities for Hispanic or Latino Juniors?
A. The National Hispanic Recognition Program provides information to
colleges for academically talented students. You need to indicate that you
are Hispanic or Latino.
For more information:
The College Board National Hispanic Recognition Programs
11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 300
Reston, VA 20190-5602
800-626-9795
Q. Are there any special opportunities for Juniors with talent in the
humanities and social sciences?
A. Telluride Association offers scholarships for summer seminars to highly
gifted juniors.
For more information:
Telluride Association
217 West Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-5011
Q. How do I contact the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to make
a change in my school choice? (For Finalists)
A. Go to: www.nationalmerit.org and select FAQ. You can print the form to
change your college choice and sign and FAX the form back. May 31 is the
deadline to change your college choice. Be aware that many colleges do
not participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Since colleges
have a limited number of National Merit Scholarships to offer students, it is
possible to select a college and not be picked for a National Merit
Scholarship. Students who score high enough to achieve National Merit
status have many other scholarship options. Check with the college
scholarship office as well as the scholarship page on this website.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200
Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897
847-866-5100
www.nationalmerit.org
National Merit Scholarships