Our New National Merit Semifinalists

Madeira High School seniors Maya Parker and Luke Pease have been named Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among more than 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide who now have the opportunity to compete for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth about $24 million, to be awarded in spring 2027. About 95% of Semifinalists are expected to become Finalists, and approximately half of the Finalists will receive a National Merit Scholarship and earn the title of Merit Scholar.

Maya, Luke, and about 1.2 million other high schoolers entered the competition by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The Semifinalists represent the highest-scoring students in each state and make up less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. To become Finalists, students must complete a detailed scholarship application with a high school official. The application includes their academic record, school and community activities, leadership experience, employment, honors, and awards.

Notifications will be sent in February 2027 to more than 15,000 Semifinalists who are expected to advance to Finalist standing. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships. About 700 corporate sponsored scholarships will be awarded to students who meet specific requirements, such as being children of employees or residents of communities served by sponsoring companies. In addition, about 140 colleges and universities are expected to provide approximately 3,500 college-sponsored scholarships to Finalists who attend their institutions.

Scholarship winners will be announced through four nationwide news releases from April through July 2027. They will join more than 395,000 students who have previously earned the Merit Scholar title. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1955, conducts the annual program without government assistance. Its scholarships are funded by NMSC, businesses, colleges and universities, and individual donors. Winners are selected based on their academic skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, or religion.