New York State has announced the 2026 Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The awards will be $1,500 and $500 and are renewable for up to 5 years of undergraduate study. They can be used only at colleges and universities located in New York state. Each high school in the state will have at least one winner of a $1,500 award. Niskayuna High School has been allotted one of the $1,500 awards and seven of the $500 awards.
Niskayuna High School will nominate eight students from among those who sign up to be considered. The school chooses to use Method A, as outlined below, as its selection method. The school selects its nominees by computing a weighted average of the scores on the Regents examinations and/or approved substitute assessments taken by the students prior to their senior year, in the subjects listed. The weighting of the scores as determined by the state are:
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- English Language Arts (3)
- Algebra 2 (3)
- Global Studies and Geography (1)
- U.S. History/Govt. (1)
- Science (2 sciences, 1 for each course)
If you have not taken one or more of the required Regents, then you cannot compete for the scholarship. Each scholarship winner must be a legal resident of New York State for at least one year prior to Sept. 30, 2025, and must graduate from high school by the end of the 2025-26 school year.
If you meet the requirements listed above and would like to be considered for nomination for this scholarship, you must sign up through Mr. Bianchi in the Counseling Center before Noon on Jan. 30, 2026.