National Merit Scholarship Corporation

1. An independent, not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. • Conducts two annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships: • National Merit Scholarship Program • National Achievement Scholarship Program National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) www.nationalmerit.org

2. National Merit Scholarship Corporation Goals • to identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students; • to stimulate increased support for their education; • to provide efficient and effective scholarship program management for organizations that wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships.

3. National Merit Scholarship Program • an academic competition for recognition and scholarships for ALL high school students. • Conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. (NMSC) • Established in 1955. • Awards are supported by some 440 independent sponsors and by NMSC's own funds and corporations, businesses, company foundations, professional associations, colleges and universities. 

4. National Merit Scholarship Program Student Entry Requirements To participate in the National MeritScholarship Program, a student must: • take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT)/NMSQT(National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in your third year (11th grade). • be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school. • plan to enroll in a full time college/university after your high school graduation. • be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident.

5. Program Recognition Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 will be selected. • PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) • High-scoring participants from every state are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. • High scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.

6. Program Recognition • Semifinalists-NMSC provides scholarship application materials through your high school. • Finalists-notified by mail. • Winner Selection • academic record • information about the school's curricula and grading system • two sets of test scores • high school official's written recommendation • information about the student's activities and leadership • the Finalist's own essay.

7. Types of Merit Scholarship Awards • National Merit $2500 Scholarships-awarded on a state representational basis. Winners are selected without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans. • Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards-designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. • College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards-Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice. • Special Scholarships-NMP participants, who are outstanding but not Finalists. Provided by corporations and business organizations.

8. National Achievement Scholarship Program The National Achievement Scholarship Program (NASP) was established in 1964. Conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). To provide recognition for outstanding Black American high school studentsand to encourage them in their pursuit of higher education. Awards are supported by NMSC's own funds and independent sponsors that include corporations, company foundations, and professional organizations.

9. National Achievement Scholarship Program • Black students who meet program entry requirements may enter the National Achievement Program in addition to the National Merit Scholarship Program. • The two programs are conducted concurrently; however, a student’s standing in each program is determined independently. • Black students can qualify for recognition, become candidates for awards, and be honored as Scholars in both competitions, but they can receive only onemonetary award from NMSC.

10. National Achievement Scholarship Program Student Entry Requirements To participate in the National AchievementScholarship Program, a student must: • take the PSAT/NMSQT in their third year (11th grade). • mark Section 14 on the PSAT/NMSQT answer sheet, thereby identifying yourself as a Black American who wishes to be considered in this competition as well as in the National Merit Scholarship Program. • be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school. • plan to enroll full time in college no later than the fall following completion of high school. • be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident.

11. Program Recognition • 160,000 students who enter, over 4,700 are honored. • A group of about 3,100 Outstanding Participants are referred to colleges for their potential for academic success.

12. Program Recognition • Semifinalists-1,600 students are named • have an opportunity to advance in the competition for National Achievement Scholarships. • highest-scoring program participants in the states. • named on a regional representation basis. • Notified through their high schools. • Finalists-1,300 students are named • notified by mail. • Achievement Scholarship Winners-800 students are notified. • Achievement Scholar Designees • selected from the group of Finalists based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments.

13. Two types of Achievement Scholarship awards are offered: • National Achievement $2500 Scholarships • Corporate-sponsored Achievement Scholarship Awards

14. National Achievement $2500 Scholarships • Every Finalist competes for one of these single payment scholarships. • Awarded on a regional representation basis. • A total of 700 National Achievement $2500 Scholarships are awarded.

15. Corporate-sponsored Achievement Scholarship Awards Corporate sponsors support awards for Finalists who: • plan to pursue particular college majors or careers. • children of their employees. • residents of an area served by the sponsor. • may be renewable for four years or a one-time award. • 100 corporate-sponsored awards are offered each year.

16. College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Programnhrp@collegeboard.org Initiated in 1983. Identifies outstanding Hispanic high school seniors. Does not provide a financial reward. The program sends a list of all recognized students to subscribing colleges and universities that are particularly interested in academically outstanding seniors of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

17. College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program • To recognize the exceptional academic achievements of Hispanic High School Seniors. • To encourage their participation in collegiate post secondary colleges. • To focus renewed attention on the academic preparation of Hispanic High School Seniors.

18. National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) Eligibility Requirements In order to be eligible, you must: • Take the PSAT/NMSQT in your third year (11th grade). • Be a junior in high school. • Be of at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino descent.

19. National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) Eligibility Requirements (continued) • Achieve the minimum required PSAT/NMSQT cutoff score. (this index score may vary by state, region and territory each year) • Achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher by the end of junior year (GPAs may be weighted). • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you are a permanent resident, you must possess, or be in the process of obtaining, a visa or green card. • If attending an international school, the school must be a U.S. school.

20. More information • GRHS Counselor’s Corner Website • www.nationalmerit.org • www.collegeboard.com

21. Thank You! Mrs. Patton Counselor/Testing Coordinator