OSU participates with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation to award merit-based scholarships to high school seniors. Students selected as finalists in the College-Sponsored program, who list Oregon State as their "first choice" school on the NMSC application, are eligible to receive a $2,000 per year stipend, renewable for up to four years with specific renewal requirements to be met by the recipient. Qualified finalists must apply for admission by February 1.