The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named 24 graduates from the Ann Arbor area as scholarship recipients this year, underscoring a strong showing from Washtenaw County in a program that draws from the top scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT.
How the local totals break down
Of the 24 local recipients announced in the final round this week, 15 received the $2,500 National Merit Scholarship, seven won scholarships funded by the colleges they will attend and two earned corporate-sponsored awards. The students are expected to begin their undergraduate studies this fall.
- 15 — National Merit $2,500 scholarships
- 7 — college-sponsored scholarships
- 2 — corporate-sponsored scholarships
The program began when high school juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2024. In fall 2025 the highest-scoring seniors in each state — representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors — were named semifinalists. Across Michigan, about 472 seniors were semifinalists; 93 of them, or 19.7%, came from Washtenaw County.
“Scholars are selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors,” the National Merit release states, citing reviews of academic records, PSAT scores, activities, essays and school recommendations.
Selection and awards
Finalists are chosen after committees review a range of materials submitted by students and their high schools. In addition to the $2,500 one-time awards, many National Merit scholarships are renewable for up to four years. Annual stipends for renewable awards typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, though some awards are single payments of $2,500 or $10,000. College-sponsored awards vary by institution and may offer between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years.
Local context and implications
Washtenaw County’s substantial share of Michigan semifinalists and finalists reflects concentrated academic resources across districts and independent schools in the area. For the recipients, the financial support can ease the cost of attendance and supplement other campus-based scholarships, grants and family contributions. For schools, the recognition may factor into college counseling conversations and district planning around advanced coursework and test preparation.
While specific recipient names were not listed in the final statewide release covered this week, the tally of awards offers a clear signal: Ann Arbor-area students continue to be well represented among the state’s highest academic achievers as they transition to college this fall.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Ann Arbor-area scholarship recipients | 24 |
| Washtenaw County semifinalists (of MI) | 93 (19.7% of 472) |
| National Merit $2,500 awards (local) | 15 |
As these students move on to campuses across the country, the awards will play a role in their individual college financing plans and stand as a point of pride for local schools and the broader Ann Arbor education community.
