2 Wayne Teens Named 2027 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

WAYNE, NJ — The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program, and two of those names are from Wayne Township.

Every September, the NMSC announces semifinalists for a $2,500-per-year grant for college. The semifinalists are determined by high PSAT scores. Roughly 1.2 million high school students applied for the scholarship last school year.

See the list of Wayne semifinalists below:

• Diana C. Lobosco STEM Academy: Abhay Raina
• Wayne Hills High School: Rayan Asaad

The duo now needs to submit “detailed” applications, highlighting their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received, to become a finalist.

Finalists will be notified in February 2027, and students from that pool are eligible to win one of three types of scholarships.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2027," a statement read. "Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 700 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 120 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 140 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,500 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution."

The 2027 National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in a series of nationwide news releases beginning in April and ending in July.