1,7000 Texas high school students named National Merit semifinalists – NY State of Politics
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TEXAS — Around 1,700 Texas high school students performed exceptionally well on the Preliminary SAT, earning a spot as semifinalists in the 2026 Merit Scholarship Program.
Of the 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, around 10%, or 1,674 students, are Texans. These students will have the opportunity to advance as finalists and compete for 6,930 scholarships worth an estimated $26 million this spring.
Over 1.3 million high school juniors entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last year. The highest-scoring students in each state move on as semifinalists. The number is proportional to each state’s percentage of all graduating students nationwide, and this year’s qualifying score in Texas was 222 or higher out of a possible 228.
To continue as finalists, semifinalists must submit a detailed application that highlights their record as an outstanding student. The application includes information about their academic record, honors and awards, leadership abilities and community involvement. They must also be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and take the SAT or ACT, to confirm their earlier performance in the qualifying test.
Around 95% of semifinalists are anticipated to reach finalist standing. However, only around half of finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship.
In 2025, a total 828 from Texas won a National Merit Scholarship.
