National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship
Admitted National Merit Semifinalists who submit a completed application by our priority admission deadline on Dec. 1* are automatically eligible for full tuition for up to eight semesters. Students who advance to finalist standing and list UT Dallas as their first-choice school with NMSC by April 30 are eligible for our National Merit Scholarship package.
*Finalists can still qualify for the finalist award if they apply after the priority deadline but must list UT Dallas with NMSC before their deadline.
Program Benefits
- Admission into Collegium V Honors Program, the academic keystone of the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College.
- Honors housing.
- Priority registration.
- Academic and career mentoring.
- Cultural outings to the Dallas symphony, opera, and multiple theaters and museums.
- Access to honors lounge and free printing.
Program Eligibility
- Named National Merit Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for the incoming 2026 Class.
- Submit completed UT Dallas admissions application by December 1.
- Provide confirmation of your National Merit Semifinalist status via nationalmerit@utdallas.edu.
Maintaining Eligibility
National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship recipients agree to meet the following academic requirements:
- Earn a 3.0 GPA or better each semester and a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better at each academic year’s conclusion.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress on a 4-year graduation timeline. This presumes 15 hours per semester and 30 hours per year. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual-credit coursework that applies to your degree may be used to maintain your 4-year pacing.
- Enroll as a full-time student (12 hours for undergraduate students, 9 hours for graduate students). This rule is only waived for last-semester seniors or for documented medical circumstances.
- Adhere to the UT Dallas Student Code of Conduct. The National Merit Scholars Program reserves the right to review violations of the UT Dallas Code of Conduct to determine National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship eligibility. Students suspended, expelled, or repeatedly not meeting the UT Dallas Code of Conduct will have their National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship terminated without the option of participating in a National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship probation program.
