Sixty-nine students from Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) have been named semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students, representing 13 LCPS high schools and those attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, were selected based on their performance in the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). This test served as the initial screening for program entrants.
More than 1.3 million high school juniors entered the competition nationwide, with over 16,000 students recognized as semifinalists in this year’s program. The pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring participants in each state. Each state’s number of semifinalists is proportional to its share of graduating seniors nationally.
These LCPS semifinalists are now eligible to compete for more than 6,930 National Merit Scholarships totaling nearly $26 million. To advance to finalist status and be considered for a scholarship award, semifinalists must meet additional requirements set by the program. In 2026, three types of scholarships will be available: National Merit $2,500 scholarships, corporate-sponsored awards, and college-sponsored awards. Winners will be announced next spring and summer.
“These LCPS semifinalists are eligible to compete for more than 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Three types of Merit Scholarship awards will be offered in 2026: National Merit $2,500 scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships. Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in phases next spring and summer.”
The full list of recognized students includes representatives from Briar Woods High School; Broad Run High School; John Champe High School; Dominion High School; Freedom High School; Heritage High School; Independence High School; Lightridge High School; Potomac Falls High School; Riverside High School; Rock Ridge High School; Stone Bridge High School; Woodgrove High School; and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
