National Merit Scholarship Program for Homeschoolers
The National Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious academic competitions in the United States, and homeschool students are fully eligible to participate. Each year, approximately 16,000 students are named Semifinalists, and about 7,500 receive scholarship awards ranging from $2,500 to full-tuition scholarships at participating colleges.
Scholarship Details
- Award Amount: $2,500 one-time award (National Merit Scholarship), plus corporate-sponsored and college-sponsored awards up to full tuition
- Eligibility: High school juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT and score in the top 1% for their state
- Deadline: PSAT registration typically in September–October of junior year
- How to Apply: Take the PSAT/NMSQT through a local high school or testing center
- Website: nationalmerit.org
Homeschool students can participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program by arranging to take the PSAT/NMSQT at a local high school. Contact schools in your area during the summer before your student’s junior year to arrange testing. Some schools are very accommodating of homeschool students; if one school declines, try another.
Homeschool students who qualify as Semifinalists will need to provide additional documentation, including SAT scores, a detailed transcript, and a recommendation from a parent-educator or other qualified adult. The process requires some extra planning for homeschool families, but the potential rewards — including full-tuition scholarships at many universities — make it well worth the effort.
Find more college scholarship opportunities for homeschoolers in our Scholarship Directory.