3 Parsippany Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Three Parsippany students just landed spots in one of America's most competitive scholarship programs, beating odds of roughly 75 to 1.

Gandhirajan Shivakku and Sri Niranjan from Parsippany Hills High School, along with Rayan Asaad from Parsippany High School, earned National Merit Scholarship semifinalist status this October. Out of 1.2 million high school students who took the PSAT last year, only 16,000 made the cut.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation selects semifinalists based on PSAT scores, recognizing the top scorers from each state. These students now face their next challenge: submitting detailed applications showcasing their academic achievements, leadership roles, community service, employment history, and awards.

Finalists will be announced in February 2027. From there, students compete for three types of scholarships totaling more than 6,700 awards nationwide.

The Ripple Effect

These three students represent something bigger than individual achievement. They're part of a scholarship program that has awarded over $2 billion to talented students since 1955, opening doors to education that might otherwise stay closed.

About 2,500 students will receive the signature $2,500 National Merit Scholarships, awarded to ensure every state has representation. Another 700 corporate-sponsored scholarships go to students who meet specific criteria, often children of company employees or residents of certain communities. Roughly 140 colleges and universities will sponsor an additional 3,500 scholarships for finalists who attend their institutions.

Winners will be announced in rolling news releases from April through July 2027. For these three Parsippany students, the hard work of junior year is already paying dividends, and the finish line keeps getting closer.