The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT®— a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.3 million entrants each year — and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements. In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT® receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. These students' test scores on the PSAT/NMSQT rank them in the top 5 percent of students nationwide. In early September, about 16,000 students or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, will be notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. The National Merit Semifinalists rank among the top 1 percent of high school seniors nationwide. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the materials provided to each Semifinalist.

National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test:

The following students were recognized as National Merit Scholars/Presidential Scholars for that school year:

2008-2009
2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
2003-2004
2002-2003
2001-2002
2000-2001
1999-2000
1998-1999