Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists!

Ten academically-talented students in the Osceola School District have been named as Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, and they have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $24 million that will be offered in the spring: 

• Gustavo C.

• John C.

• Jefferson H.

• Kyoungbin L.

• Caitlyn L.

• Gavin R.

• Sakura T.

• Francesca T.

• Derrick T.

• Avery W. 

The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which serves as an initial screen of entrants each year and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. 

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2027. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 700 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 120 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria. In addition, about 140 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,500 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.