Blessed Trinity Catholic High School senior Chris Sivy has been named a Semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, putting him in contention for college scholarships.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the Semifinalists on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Sivy was among roughly 16,000 students nationwide to earn the designation out of approximately 1.2 million who entered the competition.

That's less than 1% of all U.S. high school seniors.

Semifinalists are the highest-scoring entrants in each state on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The number of Semifinalists per state is proportional to that state's share of the national graduating class.

The Roswell school said in a statement that it is proud of Sivy and called the designation an outstanding academic achievement.

What comes next

To advance to Finalist standing, Sivy and a school official must submit a detailed application. That application includes his academic record, school and community activities, leadership, employment, honors and an essay. He must also earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm his earlier PSAT performance.

The bar is high but reachable. About 95% of Semifinalists advance to Finalist. Finalists will be notified in February 2027.

Roughly half of Finalists win a National Merit Scholarship. The NMSC, now in its 72nd year, plans to award about 6,700 scholarships worth a combined $24 million in spring 2027. Those awards fall into three categories: 2,500 one-time scholarships of $2,500 each awarded by state, about 700 corporate-sponsored awards and about 3,500 college-sponsored awards.

Winners will be announced in four rounds beginning in April 2027 and ending in July 2027.