Holmdel High Student Awarded National Merit Scholarship

HOLMDEL, NJ — A Holmdel High School student is the recipient of one of the prestigious National Merit scholarships, it was announced Monday.

More than 1.6 million high school juniors entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program when they took the 2015 Preliminary SAT. About 16,000 semifinalists were chosen for consideration for a scholarship based on their outstanding academic records, completion of an essay and other criteria. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

The Holmdel high student is Mehr R. Sawant, who listed undecided as her probable career field. Sawant was given a $2,500 scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's own funds.

Note: Any attempt to compare high schools on the basis of numbers of Merit Scholarship winners will lead to erroneous and unsound conclusions, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation cautioned. The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The program does not measure the quality or effectiveness of education within a school, system, or state.