Leander ISD Sets Record with 44 National Merit Semifinalists

Leander, Texas – Forty-four seniors from Leander Independent School District (LISD) have been named semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. This year’s count is the highest in the district’s history and includes representation from all six comprehensive high schools.

These talented students now have the chance to compete for approximately 6,930 National Merit Scholarships, totaling nearly $26 million, which will be awarded next spring. Leander ISD has seen a significant increase in qualifying students, doubling the number since 2023.

Shirley Bachus, the director of advanced programs for LISD, praised the efforts of both students and staff, stating, “Our students and our staff are to be commended for their efforts to remain steadfast and focused on this highly sought-after distinction. To double the growth in scholars in a three-year timeframe is outstanding.”

To progress to the Finalist level and be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must meet various criteria. About 95 percent of them are expected to advance, with around half ultimately winning a scholarship and earning the title of Merit Scholar.

The National Merit Scholarship Program began with over 1.3 million juniors across roughly 21,000 high schools entering through the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, making this group highly competitive.

To become Finalists, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application, showcasing their academic records, activities, leadership roles, and honors. Additionally, they need to maintain high grades, secure an endorsement from a school official, write an essay, and achieve qualifying SAT or ACT scores.

This spring, there will be three types of National Merit Scholarships available. All Finalists will be eligible for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships awarded on a state-representational basis. Corporate-sponsored scholarships will also be available through various corporations, while colleges will provide other scholarships for their attending students.

Scholarship winners will be announced in four nationwide news releases from April to July 2025. These recipients will join a distinguished group of over 382,000 students who have previously earned the Merit Scholar title.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) was founded in 1955 as a not-for-profit organization. It operates independently to honor scholastic achievement and encourage academic excellence through the annual scholarship program.