FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Office of Communications
813-272-4060
Tampa, Fl. (July 16, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to announce an additional HCPS student has been named a College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship winner, by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), bringing the total number of awardees for 2025 to 31.
Pranav Verma, from Strawberry Crest High School, was recognized as a College-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship winner financed by the University of Florida.
"Pranav joins an exceptional group of HCPS students who have earned this prestigious honor. We are extremely proud of their commitment and hard work that brought them to this achievement," said Superintendent Van Ayres.
This scholarship is financed by U.S. colleges and universities and will provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the awarding institution. Students were chosen from a pool of more than 15,000 outstanding students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, based on their academic record, including difficulty of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.