News Summary
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has recognized over 230 students from Orange County as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. These students demonstrated exceptional academic performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, with only about 16,000 students nationwide achieving this status, representing less than 1% of high school seniors. To become finalists, they must submit an application and meet specific evaluation criteria. Scholarships are expected to be awarded beginning in April, highlighting the significance of academic achievement.
Orange County, CA – The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has announced that over 230 students from Orange County have achieved semifinalist status in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This announcement was made on September 10, 2025, as part of the ongoing competition now entering its 71st year. In total, approximately 16,000 high school students nationwide qualified as semifinalists, a group that represents less than 1% of high school seniors in the United States.
To qualify for this prestigious recognition, students in their junior year (11th grade) sat for the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) last October. Out of over 1.3 million participants from around 20,000 high schools, the semifinalists emerged as the highest scorers within each state, showcasing their academic excellence and hard work.
Students who are interested in entering this competitive program in the future should consult their school counselors about taking the PSAT/NMSQT, which serves as the pathway to becoming a semifinalist.
In order to advance from semifinalist to finalist, students must complete an application that entails providing their SAT or ACT scores, crafting an essay, and obtaining a letter of recommendation from a high school official. Evaluation criteria for semifinalists include not only academic records but also participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership, employment history, and the honors they have received during their high school years.
It is projected that more than 15,000 semifinalists will move on to finalist status. Notifications for finalists will occur in February 2026, preceding the selection of National Merit Scholarship winners, which will take place between April and July 2026. Among finalists, nearly half are expected to receive scholarships awarded in three distinct categories:
- National Merit $2500 Scholarships: Approximately 2,500 scholarships will be awarded.
- Corporate-sponsored scholarships: Around 830 scholarships will be provided from approximately 150 corporations.
- College-sponsored scholarships: About 3,600 awards will be financed by around 150 colleges.
Among the semifinalists are talented students representing various high schools throughout Orange County, including notable institutions from Los Angeles County such as Agoura Hills High School, Alhambra High School, Arcadia High School, and several others. Additionally, high school students from regions like the Inland Empire have also earned semifinalist recognition, showcasing the widespread academic talent across California.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, established in 1955, operates as an independent not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to honor students’ academic achievements, foster scholarship sponsorship, and promote ongoing academic excellence. The scholarship winners from this year’s pool will join nearly 389,000 past winners who have received the esteemed title of Merit Scholar. As finalists prepare for the next stage in this competitive program, their accomplishments continue to shine a light on the importance of academic diligence and achievement.
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Additional Resources
- Daily News: National Merit 2026 Los Angeles County Scholarship Semifinalists Announced
- Wikipedia: National Merit Scholarship Corporation
- Mercury News: California National Merit Semifinalists
- Google Search: National Merit Scholarship
- OC Register: Orange County Students are 2026 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
- Google Scholar: National Merit Scholarship
- News and Sentinel: Progress Made on Huge Fire North of Los Angeles
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Merit Scholarship
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