Reno among finalists after merit scholarship

Samuel Reno will be competing for a chance at a share of the National Merit Scholarship this spring.

The list of the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program was recently announced and Reno made the list. 

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. 

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. They also have to be recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn comparable scores on the ACT or SAT.

About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. 

Every finalist competes for one of 2,500 National Merit scholarships worth $2,500 each. About 1,000 other awards are granted by corporate sponsors, and 4,000 scholarships are awarded by individual colleges and universities to students attending their institutions.