National Recognition Programs FAQ
FAQ
What are the National Recognition Programs?
The College Board National Recognition Programs award academic honors to underrepresented students. The four national recognition programs include the National African American Recognition Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Indigenous Recognition Program, and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program.
Students who take eligible administrations of the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP Exams will be considered for awards. Students must also identify as Black, African American, Latino, Hispanic, Indigenous, or attend high school in a rural area or small town. This is not a scholarship program. However, students can include this academic honor in their college and scholarship applications.
When will the application open, and what is the submission deadline?
The application will open in early spring, and close on June 12, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET. This deadline will not be extended, so we strongly encourage students to submit their applications early.
Who is eligible for the National Recognition Programs?
Current sophomores in the class of 2025 and current juniors in the class of 2024 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
Sophomores
- Must have a 3.5 GPA or higher at the time they are applying. Weighted and unweighted GPAs are considered.
- Must have a permanent address in the United States, a U.S. territory or U.S. military base, or attend a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school. U.S. citizenship is not required.
- Must identify as Black, African American, Latino, Hispanic, Indigenous, or attend high school in a rural area or small town.
- Must have taken the PSAT/NMSQT in fall 2022 OR at least 2 distinct AP Exams in 8th or 9th grade.
Juniors
- Must have a 3.5 GPA or higher at the time they are applying. Weighted and unweighted GPAs are considered.
- Must have a permanent address in the United States, a U.S. territory or U.S. military base, or attend a DoDEA school. U.S. citizenship is not required.
- Must identify as Black, African American, Latino, Hispanic, Indigenous, or attend high school in a rural area or small town.
- Must have taken the PSAT 10 in spring 2022 OR the PSAT/NMSQT in fall 2022 OR at least 2 distinct AP Exams in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade.
To qualify, what scores do I need on the PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT or AP Exams?
Sophomores and juniors will be score eligible if they score in the top 10% on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 within the program by state in the eligible exam periods. Sophomores and juniors will also be score eligible if they score a 3 or higher on two or more distinct AP Exams in the eligible exam periods.
Please note that for the class of 2024, previous awardees are included in the calculations for the top 10% within the program by state.
Can you share the cut score for my state?
The program calculates cut scores by state. We encourage you to apply if you believe you’re eligible.
Which P10 and PSAT/NMSQT administrations are considered?
The spring 2022 PSAT 10 and fall 2022 PSAT/NMSQT are considered.
How do I apply for recognition?
Students with eligible scores in eligible exam windows who have disclosed their race/ethnicity and high school will be formally invited to apply in early spring. Students who believe they’re eligible for recognition but do not receive an invitation should apply through our application site here. These students can self-nominate to have their eligibility reviewed.
Who does the invite email come from?
Email invitations will come from BigFuture. Students will only be contacted about recognition if they have consented to College Board outreach. Students who have opted out of College Board outreach and believe they meet the eligibility criteria must self-nominate.
What do I get if I’m awarded recognition?
This academic honor can be included in students' college and scholarship applications. Colleges and universities can also use these honors to identify and contact students who have opted in and are participating in Student Search Service™.
How many students will be awarded recognition?
All students are eligible if they meet the eligibility criteria and submit a complete application by June 12 at 8 pm ET.
What information will I need to apply?
Your high school counselor's first and last name and email address. Please provide their first and last name and email address if you would like us to follow up with your parent or other caring adult.
Does my GPA need to be weighted or unweighted?
We consider both weighted and unweighted GPAs. Students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, or the equivalent on their school's scale, at the time of application submission. Please note that we may reach out to verify your GPA by email.
Can I qualify for more than one recognition program?
Yes. Students who meet the eligibility requirements can qualify for multiple programs. They will receive individual academic honors for each award.
Do I earn a scholarship by being part of this program?
This is not a scholarship program. Students who receive recognition will earn academic honors that can be included in their college and scholarship applications.
How does this program connect me to colleges and scholarships?
Students can include these honors in their college and scholarship applications. Colleges can also use this designation to identify awardees who are opted in to Student Search Service.
Are international students eligible for National Recognition Programs?
No. Only students with a permanent address in the United States, a U.S. territory or U.S. military base, or attending a DoDEA school are eligible for recognition. There is no citizenship requirement.
Are DOD/APO AE/FP students eligible?
Currently, overseas students are eligible to apply due to their guardian(s) military deployment.
Which indigenous groups are eligible for recognition?
Students who are members of U.S. federally and state-recognized tribes and villages are eligible for recognition.
How do you determine whether a school is a rural/small town? What is the difference between the two?
Areas are considered rural and small towns based on location data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Students who believe they reside in a rural or small town but did not receive an invitation are welcome to self-nominate. Please note that rural and small town eligibility is determined by NCES data as of February 10, 2023. You can look up your area here.
Can homeschool students apply?
Yes. Homeschooled students who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible for recognition. Homeschooled students who believe they might be eligible for Rural and Small Town Recognition must nominate themselves.
If I was awarded last year, do I need to apply again this year?
No. If previously awarded, you will not have to reapply. However, students can qualify for a program they were not previously awarded.
Can I use my College Board account credentials to log into the application website?
Yes. The National Recognition Programs application is connected to your College Board account. If you do not currently have an account, be sure to create one!
How may I be added to the list of educators receiving information about College Board National Recognition Programs?
You need a College Board Professional account with a valid email address and an affiliation to your current high school to get information about College Board National Recognition Programs. If you have a College Board Professional account, please check your high school affiliation. You’ll be automatically included in upcoming communications about College Board National Recognition Programs.
Students will also include the counselor or educator’s name and email on the application so updates and award lists can be sent to you directly.
I still have additional questions.
If you have further questions about the National Recognition Programs, please call (855) 283-3815 or email [email protected].