<p>HowtheHeck…Any NMF who is awarded an “official” NMSC scholarship ($2500 one time, school sponsored, or corporate) is considered a National Merit Scholar. I believe it’s about 8,400 out of the 15,000 finalists receive the designation. If your S received any of these scholarships he is a Scholar, but I’m not sure if NMSC sends any other notification other than the “official” scholarship notification itself.</p>