The Michigan Department of Treasury - Merit Award Office is notifying some 36,000 students of the Class of 2001 of their eligibility to win the Michigan Merit Award–a $2,500 award to be used for educational expenses at universities, colleges, vocational or technical schools. The award is based on Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test scores or a combination of MEAP scores and achievement on the SAT, ACT, or WorkKeys test.

"In its second year, the Michigan Merit Award continues to recognize and reward high school students who demonstrate mastery of math, reading, science and writing," said State Treasurer Mark A. Murray.

Information also is going to high schools whose students do not yet qualify for the award, but who may if they retake the necessary components of the test and achieve qualifying scores during the upcoming April/May testing window. Seniors who qualify during this period will receive notification in the fall.

"We are pleased with the number of 'Class of 2001' students who have qualified for the Michigan Merit Award so far and we look forward to a significant increase in that number as the school year progresses," said Mark B. Leyda, Executive Director of the Michigan Merit Award.

This is how it works: Each student who takes the MEAP High School Test (HST) (in mathematics, science, reading and writing) is automatically considered for a Michigan Merit Award. Their scores are automatically reported to the Merit Award Office. If the students obtain scores in the top two tiers, Level I or II, they qualify. Alternately, if a student takes all four components, but scores at Level I or II in only two, they may still qualify by testing in the top 25% on the SAT or ACT, or a comparable score on the WorkKeys.

For more information, visit the Michigan Merit Award Web site at: http://www.meritaward.state.mi.us/