Natick Report
Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
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A number of high school seniors in Natick have been announced as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, joining over 16,000 students across the country. The academically talented cohort may now continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring
Organizers of the not-for-profit awards group, which operates without government assistance, say about 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing. Approximately half of those Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. Awards are funded largely through corporate and foundation underwriters.
Although most of the Semifinalists attain Finalist status, it’s not exactly easy to get there. But students haven’t made it this far without excellent organizational skills and the support of their families and schools. To get to the Finalist round, a high school official (usually a guidance counselor) must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record; participation in school and community activities; demonstrated leadership abilities; employment; honors and awards received; an essay written by the student. SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test are also required.
Just making it to the semis is no mean feat. The nationwide pool represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
Those who make it to the Finalist level are notified in February. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists.
Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2026. But not all at once, mind you. National Merit will announce the winners in dribs and drabs, spaced out over four separate announcements. We anxiously await the press releases.
Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered
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