New Haven Student Named Among Winners Of National Merit Scholarship

NEW HAVEN, CT — The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the winners of scholarship funded by U.S. colleges and universities, including one student who attends a New Haven school.

The scholarships were awarded to National Merit finalists who plan to attend the sponsoring institutions. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsoring school.

In New Haven, Claire X. Xu, who attends Hopkins School in New Haven, won the National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship. Her probable career field is engineering.

According to the corporation, an additional group of scholarship recipients will be announced in July.

The award is one of more than 2,500 college-sponsored Merit Scholarships announced Wednesday. The scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the school sponsoring the award, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

College officials selected winners from among finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institutions, the organization said.

High school juniors entered the National Merit program when they took their PSATs. Last year, 16,000 semifinalists were selected as the highest scorers on that test.

To advance, those students had to complete additional requirements, including writing an essay and providing information about extracurricular activities, awards and leadership positions.