Baltimore County Students Named National Merit Semifinalists in Prestigious Scholarship Competition

Eleven students from Baltimore County Public Schools have achieved National Merit semifinalist status. They were honored by the school system in an official announcement this week. The recognition is based on their exceptional PSAT scores.

These scholars now advance in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among the highest-scoring entrants in the entire nation. The competition awards millions in scholarships for undergraduate study.

Recognized Scholars Represent Seven County High Schools

The semifinalists come from a diverse set of seven local high schools. Dulaney High School and George Washington Carver Center each have three honorees. Catonsville, Hereford, Perry Hall, Pikesville, and Towson High Schools are also represented.

According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, over 1.3 million students entered the competition. These eleven students scored in the top one percent. Their achievement places them among the most academically talented youth in the country.

Pathway to Finalist Status and College Scholarships

The next step requires students to submit a detailed scholarship application. This includes their academic record, extracurricular activities, and an essay. They must also earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their PSAT performance.

Approximately 95 percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing. From that group, about 6,930 will win National Merit Scholarships. These awards total nearly $26 million for the 2025 academic year.

This recognition highlights the academic excellence within Baltimore County Public Schools. The National Merit Scholarship Program opens doors to significant educational opportunities. These students have demonstrated remarkable potential for their future careers.

Info at your fingertips

What is the National Merit Scholarship Program?

It is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. High school students enter by taking the PSAT/NMSQT. The program has awarded over $1.4 billion in scholarships since 1955.

How do students qualify as semifinalists?

They must be among the highest-scoring entrants in their state. The exact qualifying score varies from year to year and by state. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

What do the scholarships provide?

Scholarships can be one-time awards or renewable for four years. They are funded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and corporate sponsors. The awards are for use at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

When will finalists be announced?

Finalists are typically named in February. Scholarship winners are then announced in multiple waves from April through July. All announcements are made by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.