National Awards for High School Students: Eligibility and Opportunities

High school is a pivotal time for students as they explore their interests, develop their skills, and prepare for their future endeavors. National awards serve as valuable recognition of their achievements and can significantly impact their college and scholarship prospects. Colleges and scholarship programs actively seek out awardees, recognizing their demonstrated academic success and potential. This article explores various national awards available to high school students, outlining their eligibility requirements, application processes, and potential benefits.

College Board National Recognition Programs

The College Board National Recognition Programs offer recognition to eligible students of all backgrounds who have demonstrated academic excellence during their 10th and 11th-grade years. These programs aim to connect high-achieving students with colleges and scholarship opportunities. Awardees are announced in the fall and recognized with the School Recognition Award, First-Generation Recognition Award, and Rural and Small Town Recognition Award.

Eligibility and Benefits

To qualify for the First-Generation Recognition Award, students must confirm their parental education level, indicating that they will be the first in their family to attend college. Colleges utilize the Student Search Service to identify and contact National Recognition Program awardees directly, offering them opportunities and information about their institutions.

Personal Experience

One student shared their experience, stating they received the award due to their high performance on the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade and their consistently high grades. As a first-generation college student, this recognition served as a reminder of their capabilities and potential for success. The ease of submission and the prestige associated with an award from the College Board make it a worthwhile endeavor for eligible students.

Washington State Honors Award

The Washington State Honors Award is a state-level program that acknowledges the academic achievements of the top 10% of graduating high school students in Washington state.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must rank in the top 10% of their graduating class and demonstrate academic proficiency in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessments. Students enrolled in Running Start courses are also considered for this award.

Administration

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) provides high school counselors with certificates for the Washington State Honors Award in mid-May, which are then printed and distributed to the recipients.

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) recognizes 9th through 12th-grade students in the AiC Community for their accomplishments and interests in computing. This award encourages them to pursue their passions in technology and computing.

Eligibility and Application

Students in grades 9-12 who are involved in technology are welcome to join the free AiC Community and apply for the award. Applications are open through October 28, 2025. To apply, students must first become members of the AiC Community. The application includes short essays and multiple-choice sections that assess their aptitude, aspirations, computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, persistence, and future plans.

Award Designations and Prizes

Every applicant is eligible for awards at both the National and Regional Affiliate tiers.

National Awards:
- Winner: Highest-achieving students selected to represent the rich diversity of applicants. Prior National Award Winners may not win this award more than once.
- Honorable Mention: High-achieving students selected to represent the rich diversity of applicants. National selections are subject to an additional internal rubric that evaluates applicants based on their demonstrated tenacity, uniqueness of story, and technical achievements.
Regional Affiliate Awards:
- Winner: Students who have significantly demonstrated interest and aptitude for computing.
- Honorable Mention: Students who have demonstrated interest and aptitude for computing.
- Rising Star: Students who may be starting out in their pursuit and study of computing. Rising Stars embody the idea of AiC and are encouraged to continue their exploration of the field.

Winners of the National Award are required to submit additional paperwork, including a notarized travel waiver and tax ID information. Failure to return required paperwork or book travel within the allotted time may result in forfeiture of all awards. Bank of America will report the value of the gift/reward/travel expenses to the IRS on Form 1099, as required by law.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed anonymously by technology academics and industry professionals. The selection of National Award Winners is made by NCWIT and Bank of America representatives, while Regional Affiliate Award recipients are selected by each Affiliate.

University of Rochester High School Awards

The University of Rochester offers several awards to recognize outstanding high school juniors. High school counselors, teachers, and administrators may nominate up to four qualified juniors each year, one student for each award.

Nomination Process

Nominators receive a packet with the physical award and certificate approximately 2-3 weeks after nominating, sent directly to the nominator’s school. Nominations should be submitted by March 15 to ensure the packet arrives by May 1 for schools holding awards ceremonies in May. Only online submissions are accepted.

Nomination Rules

Each school may only select one junior to nominate per award. Nominations submitted after March 15 are processed the same, but the certificate may arrive after May 1.

Award Benefits

Award winners are considered for merit scholarships if admitted to the University of Rochester for undergraduate studies in Arts, Sciences & Engineering. The Office of Admissions values these awards and considers them as part of a student’s application. However, the award does not guarantee admission or the receipt of a merit scholarship.

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