6 Princeton Teens Win College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship

PRINCETON, NJ — Six local teens have earned the prestigious college-sponsored merit scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Competition this year, the organization announced.

Here are the winners:

• David X. Chen received the National Merit Harvey Mudd College Scholarship Award. He plans to study computer science at the university in the fall.
• Arman N. Esteghamat won the National Merit Carleton College Scholarship and plans to study physics.
• Adam B. Krauss is the recipient of the Nation Merit Rutgers University Scholarship and is interested in Radiology.
• Natalie B. Sammons was awarded the National Merit Brandeis University Scholarship and plans to study Psychology at the university.
• June D. Shao won the National Merit e University of Southern California Scholarship and plans to study engineering.
• Shivam Singh is the recipient of the Nation Merit Indiana University Bloomington Scholarship and is interested in finance.

The students are among more than 4,100 winners receiving National Merit Scholarships sponsored by U.S. colleges or universities. College-sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

The organization previously announced its $2,500 corporate scholarship winners in April and college-sponsored scholarships winners on June 2, with the second and final round of college-sponsored scholarship winners announced July 12.

Over 1,000 additional winners were announced in the final round.

To be eligible for merit scholarship awards, finalists must submit a detailed application including an essay, extracurricular resume, and list of previous awards. They must also have an outstanding academic record and be endorsed by a high school official.

160 higher education institutions have sponsored awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program this year, consisting of 85 participating private and 75 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

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