Opportunities for National Merit®

The Honors Programs office provides numerous supplemental scholarship opportunities to students who progress in nationwide competitions sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) or College Board. 

Students who progress to National Merit Finalist and who select Texas A&M University as their first choice institution would likely receive all of the following awards, with a total value of at least $38,600, in addition to other scholarships obtained through the Honors Programs (typically $10,000 or $12,000), Scholarships and Financial Aid, or individual Colleges or Departments at Texas A&M. 

Thus, a National Merit Finalist could receive a total scholarship package from the Honors Programs of over $40,000.  For out-of-state students, the real value of the scholarship package could be in excess of $55,000.  These figures are only rough estimates, and actual scholarship packages will vary.

The Merit Plus Scholarship

Provides a $2,000 stipend paid during the student's freshman year.  The receive the Merit Plus Scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be designated as a Semifinalist in the 2009 NMSC competition

• Be enrolled at Texas A&M University as a full-time student for the Fall of 2009

• Graduate from high school in Spring 2009

National Merit Sponsorship Awards

Provides an additional $650 per year award ($2,600 total).  This award may be in additional Honors Programs scholarships. To receive National Merit Sponsorship awards, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be a National Merit Finalist

• Must have named Texas A&M as their first choice with the NMSC and completed all forms required by the NMSC

• Be enrolled at Texas A&M University as a full-time student for the Fall of 2009

• Graduate from high school in Spring 2009

Director's Excellence Awards

Provides at least $2,500 per year ($10,000 total) added to other scholarship amounts earned.  To receive the Director's Excellence Award, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be a National Merit Finalist

• Must have named Texas A&M as their first choice with the NMSC and completed all forms required by the NMSC

• Be enrolled at Texas A&M University as a full-time student for the Fall of 2009

• Graduate from high school in Spring 2009

NM Recognition Award

Provides at least $6,000 per year ($24,000 total), added to other scholarships amounts earned.  To receive the NM Recognition Award, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be designated a National Merit Finalist

• Have named Texas A&M University as the college of choice with the NMSC

• Be enrolled at Texas A&M University as a full-time student for the Fall of 2009

• Graduate from high school in Spring 2009

Director's Excellence Supplementary Scholarship

Provides an additional $2,000 stipend for National Merit Scholars who require a fifth year of undergraduate study.  To be awarded a Director's Supplemental Scholarship, a prospective student must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be designated as a National Merit Scholar

• Have named Texas A&M University as the college of choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

• Be enrolled at Texas A&M University as a full-time student for the Fall of 2009

• Graduate from high school in Spring 2009

• Enroll in a fifth year of study as an undergraduate

Champe Fitzhugh, Jr. International Honors Leadership Seminar

Most students who progress to National Merit Finalist will be eligible to apply for this two-week leadership development program, which takes place at the Santa Chiara Study Center, in Tuscany, Italy.