CLEVELAND -- The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of more than 16,000 U.S. high school seniors who are semifinalists for the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program in 2026.

About 6,390 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $25 million will be awarded next spring to students who advance from semifinalist to the Finalist level, according to a news release from NMSC.

Over 15,000 of the more than 16,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to the Finalist level. Among the Finalists, nearly half will be awarded a National Merit Scholarship and earn the title of Merit Scholar.

What is the National Merit Scholarship Corporation?

Established in 1955, NMSC is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance to conduct the Natio

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