This scholarship program was established by Harris Corporation for sons and daughters of Harris employees. The annual Merit Scholarship competition is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), an independent, not-for-profit organization. NMSC's purposes are (1) to identify and honor exceptionally able high school students and (2) to provide a system of services for corporations, foundations, and other organizations that wish to sponsor college undergraduate scholarships for outstanding students who interest them. All aspects of the selection of winners and the administration of their awards are handled by NMSC.
Who is eligible?
Only high school students who are sons and daughters of employees of Harris Corporation or its subsidiaries can compete for these scholarships. Such students also must meet all requirements for participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program that are published in the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT®, which is updated annually and distributed to students through their high schools.
To participate in the program, students must take the qualifying test, the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) during the proper high school year. In general, students who spend the usual four years in grades 9 through 12 must take the PSAT/NMSQT when they are in their third year (grade 11/junior year). Students who plan to leave high school a year (or more) early to enroll in college full time should refer to the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT (or contact NMSC) about when to take the test. A participant also must be a citizen of the United States, or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. The Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT explains these and other requirements for the competition, gives detailed information about the test (including sample questions and a complete practice test), and describes the scholarship programs NMSC administers.
For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Program, visit NMSC's Web site at www.nationalmerit.org.
How does a student enter the 2008 Harris National Merit Scholarship Program?
To enter the competition for Harris National Merit Scholarships to be awarded in the spring of 2008, children of employees who will complete high school and enroll full time in college in 2008 must take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of 2006, on the date their school chooses for the administration—either Wednesday, October 18 or Saturday, October 21, 2006. (At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, the student should obtain a copy of the 2006 Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT from the high school counselor and make arrangements with the school to take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.)
NOTE: A student who does not take the 2006 PSAT/NMSQT because of illness, an emergency or other extenuating circumstances (but meets all other participation requirements), may still be able to enter the 2008 competition. To request information about possible arrangements for alternate testing, the student must write directly to NMSC as soon as possible after the October 2006 PSAT/NMSQT administration, but no later than March 1, 2007. The student should not delay; the earlier the student writes, the more options there are for scheduling test dates. The letter must be postmarked on or before March 1, 2007 for the request to be considered. Write to National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Attn: Educational Services, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200, Evanston, Illinois 60201 4897; telephone (847) 866-5100.
How are winners selected?
All Harris National Merit Scholarship winners in 2008 will be chosen from a group of candidates who qualify as Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program on the basis of their 2006 PSAT/NMSQT scores and who then advance to the Finalist level by meeting several academic and other requirements set by NMSC. Semifinalists will be notified through their schools in September 2007. These students and their high school principals will complete applications that include biographical and academic information that must be filed with NMSC. Scholarship winners will be chosen on a competitive basis and without regard to family financial circumstances, gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. An NMSC committee of professionals trained in selection will choose the winners by evaluating several factors about each eligible candidate; these include academic record throughout high school, significant activities and contributions to the school and community, test scores, the school's recommendation of the candidate, and the student's essay about personal characteristics, activities, plans, and goals. In most cases, winners will be notified by NMSC in March of 2008. All winners are notified directly prior to any public announcement that may be made about recipients.
What is the amount of the award?
Each Harris National Merit Scholarship stipend is $2,000 per year for up to four years of college undergraduate study or until baccalaureate degree requirements are completed, whichever occurs first. The winner's annual stipend will not be affected by other scholarship aid or by an approved change in college.
Are there requirements that Merit Scholarship winners must meet?
Yes. The formal offer of a Harris National Merit Scholarship that NMSC sends to each winner specifies terms for acceptance and continuation of the award. A winner must enter college in the fall term following selection and must enroll as a full time undergraduate in a college or university in the United States that holds accredited status with a regional accrediting commission on higher education. (Scholarship stipends are not payable for attendance at service academies, virtual universities, and certain institutions that are limited in their purposes or training.) Also, the winner must attend college during the day, enroll in a course of study leading to one of the traditional baccalaureate degrees, and remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.
Who handles scholarship procedures?
All phases of the competition, including the selection of winners and payment of scholarship stipends are handled for Harris Corporation by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Questions may be addressed to:
Harris Corporate Relations at (321) 724-3167.