
Updated: June 9th, 2022 The U.S. Presidential Scholars
Presidential Scholars Program
The United States Presidential Scholars Program is a program of the Department of Education. It is described as "one of the Nation's highest honors for students" in the United States of America and the globe.
What is the purpose of the Presidential Scholars?
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts.
How many students become US Presidential Scholars each year?
Each year roughly three million students graduate from high school in the United States. Only 161 become US Presidential Scholars. The Presidential Scholars Program recognizes the academic excellence of the nation's top seniors.
How do you become a US Presidential Scholar?
demonstrate academic achievement in career and technical programs; and are nominated by their state's Chief State School Officer. Application for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation only. Students may not apply individually to the program or be nominated (outside of the above process).
How are Presidential Scholars in the Arts selected?
In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars makes the final selection of up to 20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Students are initially selected based on their accomplishments in career and technical education fields. Students are nominated through their Chief State School Officer.

What does a presidential scholar do?
Presidential Scholars represent their university and fellow students as CSUDH ambassadors. In this rewarding role, Scholars can participate in a number of outreach activities to improve their communities and build leadership skills while inspiring other students to reach their potential.
How do you get chosen as a Presidential Scholar?
Students are nominated through their Chief State School Officer (CSSO). Each CSSO can nominate up to five candidates who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements. Candidacy materials are mailed to the selected students, and they are invited to apply to the program.
Is Presidential scholar a big deal?
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is a very prestigious scholarship that aims to support high-achieving high school seniors. Started in 1964, this program has since awarded thousands of scholarships to high school students.
What makes a presidential scholar?
Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership, service, and extracurricular activities, and an analysis of their essays. Arts candidates enter the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program selection process at the semifinalist level.
Is Presidential Scholarship hard to get?
It's a very selective and highly prestigious program for high school seniors in the U.S. It was originally organized by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Every year since then, it has celebrated high school students' achievements in many areas including community service, leadership, and academic education.
What GPA do you need for a presidential scholarship?
This tuition-based award, based on academic performance and standardized test scores, is renewable for enrolled full-time students with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for presidential scholarship?
1200 or higherEligibility: available for students with an ACT score of 25 or higher or an SAT score of 1200 or higher with at least a 3.5 GPA.
What SAT score do you need to be a presidential scholar?
Eligibility: available for students with an ACT score of 25 or higher or an SAT score of 1200 or higher with at least a 3.5 GPA.
How many Presidential Scholars are chosen?
In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars makes the final selection of the 121 students. One young man and one young woman are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad.
What does presidential scholar mean in college?
News & Media Stories. About the Program. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
What are the requirements for Presidential Scholars?
The general requirements for the Presidential Scholars program include the following: Students must be U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. residents by the application deadline (which is in February) Students must be graduating high school seniors. That’s it!
How do I apply for the Presidential scholars program?
The Presidential Scholars Program is available on an invite-only basis. So even if you are eligible, you may not necessarily be able to apply unless you are invited. Here are the criteria for each of the three main pathways of general, arts, and career and technical education (CTE):
What is the purpose of meeting accomplished peers?
Meet accomplished peers: Gain the chance to exchange ideas with similarly motivated and accomplished peers, and to forge friendships that last a lifetime.”
Does the Presidential Scholars Program give monetary scholarships?
Unlike other scholarship programs, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program does not award a monetary scholarship.
When is the deadline for a student visa?
Students must be U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. residents by the application deadline (which is in February)
Will Geiger be a scholarship?
Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.
Do you need to complete the Presidential Scholars application?
Once a student is invited to apply for the Presidential Scholars Program, they will need to complete the application.
What is the President's Scholars Program?
In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential.
How many students are named Presidential Scholars?
Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people.
How are students selected for the Presidential Scholars program?
For the career and technical education component of the program, students are initially selected based on their accomplishments in career and technical education fields. Students are nominated through their Chief State School Officer (CSSO). Each CSSO can nominate up to five candidates who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements. Candidacy materials are mailed to the selected students, and they are invited to apply to the program. To confirm their interest, all candidates complete and submit candidacy materials, including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts for review.
What does the President of the United States do to honor the Presidential Scholars?
In honoring the U.S. Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential. Students have the opportunity to become Presidential Scholars based on three paths of accomplishment.
What is the Presidential Scholars Program?
The United States Presidential Scholars Program is a program of the United States Department of Education. It is described as "one of the Nation's highest honors for students" in the United States of America and the globe. The program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President of the United States to recognize ...
How many presidential scholars are there?
In April the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars makes the final selection of up to twenty U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
How many candidates can be nominated for the 2016 Presidential Scholars program?
Students are nominated through their Chief State School Officer (CSSO). Each CSSO can nominate up to five candidates who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements for the 2016 program. Candidacy materials are mailed to the selected students, and they are invited to apply to the program.
When are high school seniors eligible for SAT?
All graduating high school seniors who are citizens of the United States or legal permanent residents around the globe, enrolled in either private or public high schools, and who have scored exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT Assessment of the American College Testing Program on or before October of each year are automatically considered for participation.
Who awards the Presidential Medallion?
To commemorate their achievements, the scholars are individually awarded the Presidential Medallion in a ceremony sponsored by the White House .
When are the semifinalists announced?
Semifinalists are announced in mid-April and all Scholars are announced the first week of May. The National Recognition Program in Washington, DC usually occurs in June. An overview of selection progression follows: Designation. Number of candidates.
What is the Presidential Scholars Program?
The Presidential Scholars Program recognizes the academic excellence of the nation's top seniors. In 1979, the program included students in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, they added students from the career and technical education fields.
How many students graduate from the Presidential Scholars Program each year?
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Presidential Scholars Program? Each year roughly three million students graduate from high school in the United States.
How many candidates are there for the Presidential Scholars for the Arts?
Candidates send in recordings, audiotapes, or other files to showcase their artistic talent. After much deliberation, this list shortens to 20 Presidential Scholars for the Arts.
How many semifinalists are there for the Presidential Scholars?
A national committee widdles the list down to 60 semifinalists. After that, the Commission of Presidential Scholars makes the decision for the final 20 US Presidential Scholars.
What is the difference between a 2400 SAT and a Presidential Scholar?
It is about being a leader, role model, and active member in the community through personal service. While a 2400 SAT score doesn't hurt to be nominated, it is not the only thing that matters.
What is the deciding factor for evaluating the list of exceptional scholars?
The essay is the deciding factor for evaluating the list of exceptional scholars. Their ability to tell a unique story is a major qualifying factor in the deciding process. In their essays, candidates sometimes expound on their future interests. They may share where their drive comes from.
How many students graduate high school each year?
Each year roughly three million students graduate from high school in the United States. Only 161 become US Presidential Scholars.
When do presidential scholars graduate?
graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2021, the current program year; are nominated by their state's Chief State School Officer. Application for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation only.
Who do you contact for the Presidential Scholars Program?
are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline (Students who were not U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents on the day they took SAT or ACT exam, or who requested that The College Board or ACT not release their scores to outside entities, should contact the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program at 507-931-8345 to ensure their scores are considered in the determination of the candidate pool.);
General Component
All graduating high school seniors who are citizens of the United States, or are Legal Permanent U.S. Residents, and have scored exceptionally well on either the SAT or the ACT college admission test during the window that begins in September, 2018 and runs through October, 2021 are automatically considered for participation.
Arts Component
Students must register and participate in the YoungArts™ program: a national program designed to identify, recognize and encourage talented high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in: cinematic arts, dance, music, music/jazz, music/voice, theater, photography, visual arts, design or writing.
CTE Component
Students are initially selected based on their accomplishments in career and technical education fields. Students are nominated through their Chief State School Officer. Each CSSO can nominate up to five candidates who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements.

President Scholarship Background
Presidential Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- The general requirements for the Presidential Scholars program include the following: 1. Students must be U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. residents by the application deadline (which is in February) 2. Students must be graduating high school seniors That’s it! As long as you meet these requirements you are eligible.
How Do I Apply For The Presidential Scholars Program?
- The Presidential Scholars Program is available on an invite-only basis. So even if you are eligible, you may not necessarily be able to apply unless you are invited. Here are the criteria for each of the three main pathways of general, arts, and career and technical education (CTE):
Presidential Scholars Application
- Once a student is invited to apply for the Presidential Scholars Program, they will need to complete the application. The application entails several components including: 1. Essays 2. Self-assessments 3. Transcripts Students in each area–general, arts, and CTE–will be assessed by the scholarship committee based off of their academic achievement, personal characteristics, le…
What Can I Win?
- Unlike other scholarship programs, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program does notaward a monetary scholarship. Instead, students chosen as Presidential Scholar will receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. and are presented with a medallion at a special ceremony sponsored by the White House. In addition to the trip and the White House awards ceremony, s…
Questions About The Presidential Scholars Program?
- If you have any questions about the Presidential Scholars Program, you can check out the FAQ on the Department of Education website. You can also contact the scholarship committeewith any other questions.
Keep on Reading
Overview
The United States Presidential Scholars Program is a program of the United States Department of Education. It is described as "one of the Nation's highest honors for students" in the United States of America and the globe.
The program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President of the United States to recognize the most distinguished graduating seniors for their a…
Eligibility & Selection process
All candidates are invited to apply to the program in January of their graduation year. Applications are due in February. Semifinalists are announced in mid-April and all Scholars are announced during May. The National Recognition Program in Washington, DC usually occurs in June.
An overview of selection progression follows:
All graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents around th…
Career and technical education
In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Students are nominated through their Chief State School Officer (CSSO). Each CSSO can nominate up to five candidates who meet the U.S. Presidential Scholars candidacy requirements for the 2016 program. Candidacy materials are mailed to the selected students, and they are invited to apply to the program. To be considered f…
Prominent scholars
• Richard Alley (1976, Ohio) - geosciences professor at Pennsylvania State University
• Patrick Chovanec (1988, Illinois) - business professor at Tsinghua University, former aide to Speaker of the House John Boehner
• Kristin Forbes (1988, New Hampshire) - business professor at MIT, former member of Council of Economic Advisors
External links
• U.S. Department of Education Presidential Scholars Program
• Presidential Scholars Alumni Association
• Lists of past Presidential Scholars