Last modified: Monday, September 14, 2009
Number of National Merit Scholars increases by 37 percent at IU Bloomington
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 14, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University Bloomington's 2009 freshman class includes 82 National Merit Scholars, a 37 percent jump from last year. The scholars -- who as a group were in the top 3 percent of their high school classes with an average high school GPA of 3.93 -- come from 16 states and have with an average SAT score of 1,473 and an average ACT score of 33.
"We are very pleased to welcome such an academically talented group of National Merit Scholars to the Bloomington campus this fall," said Sarah Booher, director of scholarships at IU Bloomington.
Indiana University offers a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 per year, renewable for up to four years) to all students who are National Merit Finalists and list IU as their No. 1 college choice through the National Merit Scholarship Corp. by the NMSC specified deadline. This sum is in addition to any other scholarships the students are receiving.
This year's group of National Merit Scholars also includes Herbert Presidential Scholars, Wells Scholars, Cox Research Scholars, Hudson and Holland Scholars, IU National Hispanic Scholars, and recipients of IU Excellence, IU Distinction and IU Prestige scholarships. Six were also recipients of IU's Valedictorian Award, a scholarship given to Indiana residents who are their high school's valedictorian.
"The average scholarship package for the freshman class of National Merit Scholars is $14,486 per year," said Booher.
Booher said many students in this year's group are also part of IU's Hutton Honors College, whose mission is to recruit diverse, talented and highly motivated students whose presence on campus serves to enhance the education of all undergraduates.
"The significant increase this year is indicative of what IU has to offer students seeking academic excellence in their collegiate experience, and continues the strong tradition of National Merit Scholars choosing Indiana University," said Booher.
For more information about Indiana University's Office of Scholarships, see https://www.scholarships.indiana.edu/index.php.
