Lonzo Terry III, a student at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, has been named a 2027 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.
Terry is a senior from Cave Springs. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program on Sept. 9. Semifinalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be offered next spring.
To be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Program, students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test as a junior. More than 1.2 million members of the Class of 2027 took the PSAT. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of anticipated graduating seniors.
Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist standing, including a detailed scholarship application that includes information about a Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. It was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in four batches in the spring and summer of 2027. Winners will receive scholarships sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Program, national corporations and businesses, and colleges and universities across the nation.