Live in a small town or rural area? The National Recognition Award application opens in mid-January.

A student who goes to high school in a small town or rural area can be eligible for National Recognition based on their academic profile.

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What is the College Board's National Recognition Program?

Per the College Board, their National Recognition programs are a "tangible way to reward the hard work of Hispanic, African American/Black, Indigenous, and Rural students." This year the College Board has added a 5th group - first-generation college students.

How do I know if my high school is in a small town or a rural area?

Check out this locale look-up from the National Center for Education Statistics.

What is the academic profile of a student invited to apply to the National Recognition Program?

Students can apply as sophomores or juniors and should have a minimum 3.3 weighted or unweighted GPA and have taken the PSAT, placing in the top 10% of scores for their state -(think of approximately 1280 for the PSAT- give or take- for the top 10% range)

If your student's PSAT score is lower, they can still qualify with the GPA requirement and have earned a 3 score on at least 2 AP exams by their sophomore year.

How am I invited to apply

In mid-January, the College Board will send out invitations. If you believe you are eligible but did not receive an invitation, you can self-nominate through your College Board account and be reviewed for eligibility.

If a student is not invited and they believe they meet the eligibility criteria, they can self-nominate. See more here.

What is the cut-off date to apply?

The cut-off date is June 12th, 2024

If I am awarded National Recognition, do I receive a scholarship from the College Board?

No, the award is an honor you can list in your college application. Additionally, some schools will pay for information from the College Board for students with this award for recruiting. Also, some schools can be generous with merit scholarships to students with this award. Examples of those schools include those listed below. Spoiler alert - The University of Alabama has transitioned the National Recognition Scholarship to the general competitive scholarship pool.

Arizona State University (resident students only)

Fordham University

Mississippi State

Northeastern University

How do I find out more information?

Check out this link to the College Board's FAQ page.

What is the STARS College Network?

Every Network member is committed to supporting rural and small-town students and their families through additional programming, including virtual sessions, free on-campus programs, and local sessions with rural and small-town high schools and community-based organizations. Students attending a virtual event can list STARS as a community-based organization on their common application. Students do not need to be National Recognition Award recipients to join STARS. See member schools here.

How do colleges know I have this award?

Students can include these honors in their college and scholarship applications. Colleges can also use this designation to identify awardees who are opted into Student Search Service.