NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS

South Fayette High School seniors Viraj Urs and Himanish Kolli have been named 2023 National Merit finalists. Himanish and Viraj were among the 16,000 semifinalists announced last fall. Semifinalists represented less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Students become a finalist after submitting a detailed scholarship application highlighting their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

Finalists are now eligible for the 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships awarded on a staterepresentational basis. Nearly 1,000 corporatesponsored scholarships will be awarded to finalists who meet the specific criteria. And approximately 160 colleges and universities are expected to finance 3,800 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards to those who will attend the sponsor institution.

National Merit Scholarship recipients will begin to be announced this spring.