National Merit Scholarship Program

Since 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has recognized students across the country for their academic achievement through the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). NMSP is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships, and approximately 1.6 million high school students enter the program each year.

Students are entered into the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which typically occurs in the fall of their junior year. The preliminary test serves as an initial screen of program entrants, and NMSC uses the PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores to determine the 50,000 high-scoring participants who qualify for program recognition.

Of the 16,000 Semifinalists, nearly 15,000 achieve Finalist status. To become a Finalist, Semifinalists and their high schools must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstration of leadership abilities and honors and awards received.

Lewisville ISD is proud to announce and recognize the 59 high school seniors who have been named a National Merit Finalist in the 2021 competition. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students.

Of the 50,000 high scorers across the country, approximately 16,000 students are named Semifinalists. Those named a Semifinalist make up less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and are the highest-scoring entrants in each state. These seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that are offered the following spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Lewisville ISD is proud to announce and recognize the 61 high school seniors who have been named a National Merit Semifinalist in the 2021 competition.

More than two-thirds of the 50,000 high scorers, approximately 34,000 students, are named Commended Students. While Commended Students do not continue in the competition, these students receive Letters of Commendation recognizing their academic promise. Some of these students may also be candidates for Special Scholarships provided by NMSC corporate and business sponsors.

Lewisville ISD is proud to announce and recognize the 128 high school seniors who have been named a National Merit Commended Student in the 2021 competition.

For inquiries about these recognitions, please contact LISD's Communications Department at communications@lisd.net.