This week, Commissioner Stewart commended the 34 Florida students who were honored as National Merit Scholarship recipients. The awards, funded by approximately 200 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations, recognize students who have excelled academically and demonstrated a commitment to improving their communities.
“This announcement highlights the fact that hard work truly does pay off, and I applaud these students on this tremendous accomplishment,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “In Florida, we are proud to offer students a high-quality education that prepares them to succeed in college, career and throughout their lives. I appreciate the scholarship’s sponsors for recognizing the importance of investing in our students’ futures and making it even more affordable for these students to pursue postsecondary education in Florida.”
Most National Merit corporate-sponsored scholarships are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year, while some provide a single award amount between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their award at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship Award, students must fulfill several requirements, including a detailed application that incorporates the student’s academic record throughout high school, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities and honors and awards received. The student must also be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn an SAT score that confirms their earlier high performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Students are selected based on exceptional skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The scholarships honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.
The list of Florida’s National Merit Scholarship semifinalists can be found HERE.
For more information about the program, visit National Merit Scholarship Program.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.
