New York State has announced details for the 2027 Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The awards will be worth $1,500 and $500 and are renewable for up to five years of undergraduate study. They can only be used at colleges and universities located within the state.
Each high school in the state will have at least one winner receive a $1,500 award. Niskayuna High School has been allotted one $1,500 award and eight $500 awards.
Niskayuna High School will “nominate” nine students from among those who sign up to be considered.
The high school chooses to use Method A, as its selection method. The high 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 New York State is:
- English Language Arts – weight of three
- Algebra 2 – weight of three
- Global Studies and Geography – weight of one
- U.S. History/Government – weight of one
- Science: two sciences – weight of one 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 September 30, 2026, and must graduate from high school by the end of the 2026-27 school year.
If you meet the requirements listed above and would like to be considered for nomination for this scholarship, you must sign up with Mr. Bianchi in the Counseling Center before Noon on Feb. 3, 2027.