The University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship Program is a single-payment scholarship for high school graduates who indicated an interest in the scholarship at the start of their junior year and subsequently sat for the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
If you are a junior in an American high school and you hope to study at the University of Wisconsin Madison when you graduate high school, this is a wonderful opportunity to get yourself the national merit scholarship. Sophomores and freshmen also get to learn about this scholarship early.
You will find everything you need to know about the University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship in this article.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
The University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship is for finalists in the National contest who picked the University of Wisconsin Madison as their preferred place of study after high school.
To enter the program, interested students are required to apply with their school’s counselor at the start of the school year, after which they will sit for the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
WHO RUNS THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP?
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation honors the academically astute students in the United States by conducting national academic scholarship programs, one of which is the University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship Program for candidates who picked the University as their preferred place of study during application.
NMSC was founded in 1955 when there was concern the public was indifferent to rewarding intellectual accomplishments. As a way to do this, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation began to identify and honor talented American youth and encourage them to nurture these abilities to the fullest.
By conducting a national competition every year, NMSC awards scholarships to the program finalists and special scholarships to other high-flyers who meet the criteria of a corporate sponsor’s eligibility.
Over the years, participation in the program has seen exponential growth; between the year of its creation and 2015, the number of high schools participating has doubled and entrants from these schools have increased by more than 1,400,000 in number.
Sponsored by about 400 loyal donors, NMSC’s mission is to promote scholastic excellence.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON
The University of Wisconsin Madison, simply called the University of Madison, was founded when Wisconsin achieved statehood in 1848. The University is the oldest and largest public University in the state of Wisconsin.
The main campus of the University covers 933 acres of land and is located on the shores of Lake Mendota.
As of the fall of 2021, records reveal the number of staff at the University of Wisconsin Madison stood at 24,232. The University runs all kinds of programs: 136 undergraduate majors, 148 master’s degrees, and 120 doctoral programs. There are 33,506 undergraduates and 12,458 postgraduates at the University of Wisconsin Madison as last recorded in 2021.
The University is highly reputed across the country. Of the two nationally distributed undergraduate journals in the country, the University of Wisconsin Madison’s Journal of Undergraduate International Studies produces one of them.
FIELD OF STUDY
The university of wisconsin madison national merit scholarship is open to students in all degree programs. The mission of the program is to reward scholastic excellence; hence, it is accessible to every qualified student.
HOST NATIONALITY
The university of wisconsin madison national merit scholarship program is hosted in the United States.
ELIGIBILITY
All high school students who are citizens of the United States are eligible for this scholarship. Students who reside legally in the United States are also eligible.
SCHOLARSHIP WORTH
The University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship is worth $2,500. It is a one-time payment. Winners are selected solely on their academic performances without consideration of family circumstances, college choice, or career plans.
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Students who are registered by their schools at the start of their junior year are required to fulfill some requirements. For the University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship, they must pick the University of Wisconsin when filling out their application to qualify for the scholarship at this University. On test day, they are asked questions to determine entry to the program. Students must:
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take the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in the specified year of high school. In a 9 through 12 grading system, the students must take the exam no later than the third year. This is often around the fall of the third year.
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be enrolled as high school students. Homeschooled students can also enter this program.
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plan to accept admission to college no later than the fall following high school graduation.
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attend high school in the United States. Should a student attend high school outside the United States, he or she must verify his or her United States citizenry or show he or she is a lawful resident in the United States.
HOW TO APPLY
Application to the program is through the high school counselor. Subsequent to this, interested students are expected to take the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in their junior year.
- See the counselor at your high school
This is the first step when applying for the University of Wisconsin-Madison National Merit Scholarship. You are expected to see the counselor at your high school at the start of the academic year to make arrangements for the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT
After you have shown interest with your high school counselor, your school registers you for the test and you are to take the examination no later than the fall of your junior year. Although some schools encourage their sophomores to take the exam, it should be noted that these students must take the test again when they are juniors to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. However, a student can only take the test once in an academic year.
Students who missed the PSAT/NMSQT may be considered for the scholarship if they meet all other requirements and one of their school officials writes to NMSC to request information about the alternate entry procedures.
- Choose the University of Wisconsin Madison as the preferred institution
The National Merit Scholarship is tenable at any university across the country. However, to study at the University of Wisconsin Madison with this award, you must pick the University when completing your application for the National Merit Scholarship.
Visit here to apply
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Application for the scholarship will close by September 15, 2022.
TIPS TO WIN THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship is a merit-based program. Without consideration of students’ backgrounds, winners are selected solely for their academic excellence. To qualify as a finalist for the University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship, you might want to consider the following tips.
To become a finalist, you must:
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Continue to meet the program entry requirement.
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Be enrolled as a senior in high school.
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Plan to enroll full-time in college in the fall after completion of high school.
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Attend high school in the United States or meet the requirements for students attending high school outside the United States.
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Be fully endorsed for Finalist standing and recommended by your high school principal.
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Have a record of consistently high academic performance in high school.
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Submit the completed application to one of your high school officials as soon as possible. (Semifinalists are required to do this after they have been notified).
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Take the SAT or ACT.
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Provide other necessary documentation and information requested by NMSC.
BENEFITS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
- It is prestigious. Universities across the country boast about the number of national merit scholarship awardees they have enrolled in one of their undergraduate programs and the University of Wisconsin Madison is no exception. By qualifying for this scholarship, you gain a reputation fast in the University.
- It aids your finances. Being on the scholarship gives you financial freedom. Since the awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study, you can rest assured you do not have to worry about money as much as someone who is not an awardee.
- You perform better in school. Scholarships are an incentive to perform excellently in academics. If you win the University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship, you likely will be among the top performers in your class. You tend to worry about finances less, hence you pay closer attention to your studies.
- It beautifies your resume. The University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship is one to flaunt on your resume when you apply for internships during your undergraduate study, or when you apply for jobs after graduation.
SUMMARY
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Visit the official website of the University of Wisconsin Madison here.
Visit the official website of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation here.
Apply for the National Merit Scholarship here.
Former winners of AFSA high school scholarship: Visit here.
Twitter profile link here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Sponsors: The National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Department: All departments
Access Mode: Online
Nationality: American
Language requirement: Students must be fluent or native to the English Language.
FAQs
How many finalists win the national merit scholarship?
Approximately 50% of all applicants win the scholarship.
When are finalists notified that they have been awarded the national merit scholarship?
Winners are notified between March and June.
Where can I use the University of Wisconsin Madison National Merit Scholarship?
The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Wisconsin Madison. To use the National Merit Scholarship in another University in the United States, you must pick the University when applying for the scholarship.
Is the National Merit Scholarship renewable?
Yes, you can renew the scholarship. The scholarship lasts for four years during your undergraduate study.
Do I have to be American to be considered for the scholarship?
Americans automatically are eligible for the scholarship. However, you may also be eligible if you attend high school in the United States and you are a legal resident in the United States.
How can I apply for the scholarship?
You have to register with your high school counselor, preferably at the start of the academic year. Your school registers you and holds the test on specified dates, as directed by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Must I sit for the SAT or ACT?
Yes. To be considered for the scholarship, your score on the SAT or ACT must justify your performance in the Preliminary SAT/NMSQT.
Which course can I study at the University of Wisconsin Madison with the National Merit Scholarship?
You can study any course of your choice at the University of Wisconsin Madison with the National Merit Scholarship.