Over 90,000 Students Earn Academic Honors from College Board
Helping High Schools and Colleges Recognize Underrepresented Students
As a new school year starts, many high school students are thinking about what comes next. Their hard work in high school sends a strong signal to colleges and programs that are actively recruiting talented students. This year, over 90,000 students nationwide are being recognized for their academic achievements.
College Board’s National Recognition Program is an annual honor to celebrate top-performing high school students who belong to communities historically underrepresented on college campuses. The recently announced 2023-24 awards recognized 25% more student recipients than last year and introduced a new award to the program.
[This] is truly an academic motivator that some students need. The knowledge that an underrepresented student can earn an award from an organization that’s internationally acknowledged is extremely inspiring.
Caroline, Awardee, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program
This year’s introduction of the National First-Generation Recognition Program presented more than 35,000 students with the chance to be celebrated for what they know and can do. A first-generation student is defined as a student whose parent(s) didn’t complete a bachelor’s degree.
There are now five programs: National African American Recognition Program, National First-Generation Recognition Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Indigenous Recognition Program, and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program.
Students submit during 10th or 11th grade on BigFuture.org to confirm they meet these criteria:
- GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87-89%) at the time of submission
- Score in the top 10% of the state’s test takers for their award program on the PSAT/NMSQT® or PSAT 10™ or earn at least a 3 on 2+ AP® Exams by the end of 10th grade
- Identify as first generation, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, or Indigenous or Native and/or attend school in a rural area or small town
This academic achievement serves as a tangible signal to colleges looking for ways to strengthen their recruitment strategies. Thousands of nonprofit colleges and programs using College Board’s Student Search Service™ can intentionally recruit students who have been recognized by the National Recognition Programs.
This year, the National Recognition Programs are recognizing more students than ever so that the outstanding academic abilities of thousands of deserving students aren’t overlooked as they plan for their future. We're proud to support colleges and universities that are committed to supporting all students, and our program offers one way they can strengthen their recruitment efforts to students who will thrive on their campus.
Amy Reitz, Senior Vice President, BigFuture, College Board
School and district communities around the country also join in celebrating this opportunity, with local stories that confirm the impact of the program in driving positive student outcomes and opening more doors that will last a lifetime.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students’ hard work and academic excellence,” reported Principal Krissi Camper of Florence Jr Sr High School to the Canon City Daily Record. “This honor highlights their individuality and future potential.”