National Merit Scholarship

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

2026-27: approximately $22,000 per year for Idaho residents covering basic registration fees/tuition and the university-defined room and board; non-residents also receive a full non-resident tuition waiver (about $20,000). Over $85,000 in cash scholarships over four years plus the waiver for non-residents.

Deadline

Declare Idaho as first choice with NMSC by its May 31 deadline.

How to apply

Be admitted as a first-year student directly from high school or home school, become a National Merit Finalist, send the Finalist letter to the Financial Aid Office, and name Idaho first choice with NMSC by May 31.

Who can apply

First-year National Merit Finalists entering directly from high school or home school. NMSC requires entrants to be US citizens or US lawful permanent residents intending to become citizens.

Good to know

Page states 2026-27 values. Covers fall and spring only; students pay course fees and any housing cost above the university-defined amount.