In Washington state, 88 high school seniors have been awarded National Merit Scholarships — one of the most prestigious honors for gifted students in the U.S. These scholarships are given each year to those who achieved outstanding results on the preliminary SAT (PSAT), which serves as the program’s screening test: only students scoring in the top 1% on the PSAT in their state (about 220–228 out of 240) become semifinalists and can pursue the scholarship. In addition to high scores, applicants must demonstrate strong academic records, write a compelling personal essay, and obtain recommendations from school teachers. The award is not only recognition of talent but also financial support for college.
To receive a National Merit Scholarship, students must be more than just straight-A students. The program’s administering organization — the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) — evaluates a combination of academic skills, extracurricular achievements, and potential for success in college. Out of thousands of applicants nationwide, these 88 students from Washington made it through the rigorous selection.
Most winners — 54 students — received $2,500 one-time scholarships. This is the most common award, funded by NMSC itself. Nationwide, there are 2,500 such scholarship recipients, and each can use the funds for any education-related expense.
Another 18 Washington students won corporate-sponsored scholarships — funded by companies or private organizations. Major regional tech firms like Microsoft and Amazon play a significant role: Microsoft annually sponsors dozens of National Merit scholarships for students from Washington, especially from schools attended by employees’ children, and Amazon also participates, though on a smaller scale. These scholarships can be paid annually for up to four years of study ($1,000 to $10,000 per year) or be one-time awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, and they often include the possibility of a paid internship with the company. Nationwide, more than 700 students received corporate scholarships.
Sixteen Washington students won scholarships sponsored by U.S. colleges and universities. These institutions select recipients from among finalists who plan to enroll at their schools. Such scholarships typically range from $500 to $2,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study. This year, there will be more than 3,500 such scholarship recipients nationwide.
Among Washington schools with especially high numbers of recipients, Interlake High School in Bellevue leads with seven winners. The school offers a unique “Program of Academic Excellence,” combining International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma) courses with more than 20 Advanced Placement (AP) subjects. Since 2015 the school has produced 10–15 National Merit semifinalists annually thanks to early identification of talented students, individualized PSAT preparation counseling, and required mentored research projects. Redmond High School is second with six scholars, while Mercer Island High School and Eastlake High School in Sammamish each produced five winners. The high concentration of winners in Seattle’s eastern suburbs — Bellevue, Redmond, and Mercer Island — is explained not only by strong programs but also by socioeconomic factors: these areas have significantly higher per-capita incomes, allowing schools to offer advanced academic programs (IB/AP), lower student–teacher ratios, and more resources for exam preparation. Additionally, many families of Microsoft and Amazon employees live here, encouraging academic achievement and providing access to supplemental education. These schools have long been known for high academic standards.
Across the country, more than 6,700 high school graduates will receive various types of National Merit scholarships in 2026. The total amount of financial aid will exceed $24 million. NMSC will continue announcing additional recipients in mid-July, so the number of scholars may still rise.
Many of these 88 students are already planning to attend well-known institutions such as the University of Puget Sound, the University of Southern California, and Tufts University. The University of Puget Sound is a private liberal arts college in Tacoma with about 2,800 students, offering closer faculty interaction and an average class size of 18, while the University of Washington, Seattle’s largest public research university, enrolls about 50,000 students. National Merit scholars often choose Puget Sound for its personalized approach, potential for full scholarships, and lesser emphasis on research. Previously, more than 350 Washington students were named semifinalists — a major achievement for the region.
For context: nationwide, 16,000 students became semifinalists, and only a small portion of them ultimately receive scholarships. Thus, each of the 88 Washington winners passed a competitive process — from preliminary testing to final selection.
This award opens not only financial opportunities but also doors to top universities. For many families, receiving a National Merit Scholarship is recognition of years of hard work and talent, as well as significant help in paying for costly higher education in the United States.
Based on: More than 80 WA students win 2026 National Merit Scholarships