1. About the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the nation’s most prestigious awards, recognizing exceptional high school seniors nationwide. Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the program honors students who demonstrate extraordinary academic achievement, leadership, and dedication to their communities.
Over the years, the program has expanded its scope, from exclusively recognizing traditional academic scholars to also including students who excel in the arts, such as visual, literary, and performing arts, and those who demonstrate exceptional accomplishments in Career and Technical Education (CTE).
By highlighting these diverse areas of excellence, the Presidential Scholars Program celebrates outstanding achievements, encourages young Americans to pursue excellence across various fields, and provides national recognition for their talent and commitment.
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2. What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Presidential Scholar?
There are 3 main pathways in determining students’ eligibility for the Presidential Scholar: General, Arts, and Career & Technical Education (CTE).
Regardless of components, all candidates must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a Legal Permanent U.S. Resident by the application deadline.
- Graduate or receive a diploma between January and August 2025 (the current program year).
- Demonstrate exemplary academic achievement (required in all components, manifested through different pathways).
- Be invited to apply — applications cannot be submitted independently.
General Component
The most common way to be invited is to achieve a high score on the ACT or SAT. Alternatively, students can also be nominated by their Chief State School Officer (CSSO) or a Presidential Scholar partner organization. Those striving for this must take note of the following:
- Students who earned top SAT/ACT scores between August 2021 and October 2024 are eligible.
- The Department of Education reviews SAT and ACT scores, keeps each student’s highest single-test score, and ranks students within each state. The top 20 male and top 20 female scorers in each state become candidates.
- Each state’s Chief State School Officer (CSSO) may additionally nominate 10 male and 10 female candidates. Consequently, partner recognition organizations may each nominate up to 40 more students.
- Candidates must submit essays, self-assessments, school reports, and transcripts. Evaluation is based on academics, character, leadership, service, and essay mastery.
Arts Component
For the Arts component, students must participate in the National YoungArts Competition.
- Students apply through the National YoungArts program in one of 10 options for artistic disciplines.
- Applicants submit digital portfolios. Panels for each discipline select an estimated number of 170 YoungArts awardees.
- YoungArts nominates up to 60 students who meet the general eligibility requirements.
- These nominees enter the Presidential Scholars process as semifinalists and must submit full candidacy materials.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Component
For the CTE Component, students must be nominated by their state’s Chief State School Officer.
- Candidates are nominated by their Chief State School Officer (up to 5 per state), based on achievements in respective CTE fields.
- Nominees must also submit candidacy materials similar to other components.
3. What Is the Selection Process for the U.S. Presidential Scholars?
Once nominated, you will need to complete an application. This is where you share essays, self-assessments, recommendations, and records that highlight your accomplishments.
After applications are submitted, your submission will be carefully evaluated by expert panels. From there, the Commission on Presidential Scholars selects the finalists.
For the general component, about 500 semifinalists are selected nationwide. Final selection results in 121 scholars: 1 male and 1 female per state/territory/abroad families, plus up to 15 at-large scholars.
20 Presidential Scholars in the Arts and 20 Presidential Scholars in CTE will also be selected.
4. Why Is the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Worth Pursuing?
Becoming a U.S. Presidential Scholar is one of the highest honors you can achieve as a high school student. The award is given only once, usually in the senior year, and it recognizes the culmination of your talents, skills, and accomplishments.
As a scholar, your achievements are honored in several ways. You will receive national recognition, a Presidential Scholars medallion, and an official certificate from the U.S. Department of Education. While it is a prestigious honor, it’s important to distinguish the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program as a recognition program rather than a monetary scholarship.
More importantly, the award can strengthen your college and scholarship applications, as it is valued nationwide as a prestigious credential. It also highlights your excellence in academics, the arts, or CTE on a national scale. Furthermore, you also gain exclusive access to a network of alumni and leaders who can inspire you and even serve as mentors for future career paths.
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5. How Competitive Is the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program?
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is highly selective, highlighting the nation’s very top high school seniors. According to the U.S. Department of Education, in 2025, only 161 students were awarded the Presidential Scholars out of 3.9 million high school graduates nationwide.
Each year, two students from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. citizens living abroad are selected, along with 15 at-large scholars, 20 arts scholars, and 20 CTE scholars.
6. Important Dates: 2025–2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
- October 3, 2025 (in Texas, your local deadline may vary): Deadline for schools to submit applications for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
- Late January 2026: Invitations are sent to selected candidates to apply for the program.
- Late February 2026: Deadline for candidates to submit their applications to the U.S. Department of Education.
- April 2026: Announcement of Semi-Finalists.
- September 2026: Announcement of Presidential Scholars.
Please note: Our timeline is based on the most recent information available at the time of writing and may change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to check the official U.S. Department of Education website regularly.
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YoungArts National Arts Competition
YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.
