AUSTIN—The National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Hispanic Recognition Program and the National Achievement Scholarship Program is recognizing 172 Austin Independent School District seniors for outstanding academic performance.

Six students received recognition in more than one program.

Students are selected based on the scores of their preliminary SAT exam, which they take as juniors. Because of their high scores on this assessment, these students are now eligible for scholarship awards from institutions of higher education and other grantors.