National Recognition Program
Show Colleges You're a Top Student
This program helps high-performing students stand out on their college and scholarship applications. See if you’re eligible in just five minutes.
How We Celebrate Students
National Recognition Program
The College Board National Recognition Program awards academic honors to high-performing 10th and 11th grade students. In schools nationwide, eligible students of all backgrounds can claim one or more awards: School Recognition Award, First-Generation Recognition Award, and Rural and Small Town Recognition Award.
How will the National Recognition Program help you?
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It’s Easy to Claim Your Award
2 easy steps:
- Before June 27: Verify your GPA, test scores, and personal information.
- September: Download your award certificate from My Profile after your email notification from BigFuture.
How to Qualify
Criteria for the National Recognition Program
Students in 10th and 11th grade can qualify for one or more award designations, based on:
Top Exam Scores
There are 2 ways to qualify: Score in the top 10% on the PSAT/NMSQT (10th or 11th) or PSAT 10 among your high school's test takers, your state's first generation test takers, or your state's rural or small town test takers OR earn a 3+ on 2 or more AP Exams in the 8th, 9th and/or 10th grade.
Excellent Grades
Earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87% − 89%) by the time of submission.
Community
To qualify for the First Generation Recognition Award, students must confirm parental education level. To qualify for the School Recognition, and Rural and Small Town Recognition awards, students must confirm their high school.
What Past Awardees Say
Join thousands of students who have received a College Board National Recognition Program award.
The College Board National Recognition Program is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by National Merit Scholarship Corporation or the National Merit Scholarship Program.