National Recognition Programs

Like you, we’re committed to elevating all students, especially those who are historically underrepresented on college campuses. Let us help you celebrate the top-performing underrepresented students at your school. Recognition is a signal to colleges that want to recruit awardees. The 2025 submission form is now available. The deadline to submit is June 17, 2025.

Which of Your Students Are Eligible?

Current sophomores in the class of 2027 and current juniors in the class of 2026 may be eligible for recognition. To qualify, students must meet the eligibility requirements below. For more information about our eligibility criteria, visit bigfuture.org/NRP.

Students can submit in 10th or 11th grade if they meet the following three criteria:

1. They take the PSAT/NMSQT (10th or 11th) or spring PSAT 10 (10th) and score in the top 10% of test takers from their award program in their state. 
   OR 
   Earn a 3+ on 2 or more distinct AP Exams before the end of 10th grade.
2. They earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87-89%) by the time of submission.
3. They identify as first-generation, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Indigenous or Native and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.

How to Celebrate Awardees in Your School

Educators across the country tell us they celebrate awardees in school and throughout the community. Here are three ways you can celebrate your students: If your school has awardees, this is an opportunity for your community to celebrate! The academic honors reflect the achievement of both the individual and the school. Educators across the country share three things you can do:

1. Create School and Community Announcements: Use the celebration toolkit to celebrate your past awardees on social media, in a district newsletter, or press release to local media.
2. Showcase Your Students on Social Media: When you post on social media, use one of the graphics below to celebrate your National Recognition Programs awardees.
3. Host an Award Ceremony: Add your awardees’ names to the PowerPoint template to highlight students during your in-school celebrations and award ceremonies.

What Do Students Need to Know?

The 2024 submission form is now available. The deadline to submit is June 17, 2025. Once a student of yours submits to the National Recognition Programs, and if the student has provided their email, they’ll be notified by September 2025 if they were awarded. Awardees can download their certificates on BigFuture under My Profile.

As importantly, colleges and universities use these honors to identify and contact high-achieving students who have opted in and are participating in Student Search Service™. When students are opted in, they hear from colleges and universities that want to recruit awardees like them.

How can educators receive information about students who are eligible for the College Board National Recognition Program or receive awards?

Educators with Detailed Reporting access to the K–12 Reporting Portal can now access a full list of students in your school who are eligible to submit for the National Recognition Programs. This report is posted in the Custom Reports from the College Board section of Downloads in the K–12 Reporting Portal. For more information on accessing the K−12 Reporting Portal, visit our site.

Learn about the National Recognition Programs.

For questions about National Recognition Programs, please contact us at: [email protected].

For questions about National Recognition Programs, please contact us at: [email protected].