Opportunities for National Achievement®

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 Achievement Finalist and who select Texas A&M University as their first choice institution would be guaranteed 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 Achievement 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.  To receive the Merit Plus Scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Champe Fitzhugh, Jr. International Honors Leadership Seminar

Most students who progress to National Achievement 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.