The National Merit Award recipients are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and reported to Clemson University. Scholars could receive one of three scholarships: Freshmen Award, Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship, or Clemson-Sponsored Merit Finalists. The Freshman Award is $2,500 and available during the first year. The award may be renewed annually at $1,500, in the form of a Clemson University scholarship, for the sophomore through senior years. The Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship is an amount determined and renewed by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Lastly, the Clemson-Sponsored Merit Finalists will receive $1,500 per year, which is renewable for four years (eight semesters).