National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is an inependent, not-for-profit organization in the United States that operates without government assistance. NMSC conducts two annual competitions for recognition and scholarships--the National Merit Scholarship Program, which is open to all students who meet entry requirements, and the National Achievement Scholarship Program in which only Black American students participate. Each year a total of approximately 10,500 scholarships are awarded through NMSC programs. The corporation's headquarters are located in Evanston, Illinois.