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Marcus Schwartz ’26 Advances to Finalist Stage in the National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to Marcus Schwartz ’26 on being named a 2026 National Merit® Finalist.
As a finalist, Schwartz remains in competition for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. He may also be eligible for one of the nearly 4,500 Merit Scholarships awards by business organizations as well as college and universities.
This recognition as a Finalist follows his selection as a National Merit Semifinalist in the fall—an honor reserved for the top 1% of scorers nationwide on the PSAT/NMSQT exam taken during junior year. The qualifying scores in Maryland are among the highest in the country, making Schwartz’s achievement even more notable.
To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Being named a Finalist represents the highest level of achievement within the National Merit Scholarship Program. The winners of the 2026 National Merit Scholarships will be announced beginning in April and concluding in July.
About the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSC®)
NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 320 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
