See Also Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions How Are Scholars Selected

For the general component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

• are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline (Students who were not U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents on the day they took SAT or ACT exam, or who requested that The College Board or ACT not release their scores to outside entities, should contact the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program at 507-931-8345 to ensure their scores are considered in the determination of the candidate pool.);

• graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2022, the current program year; and

• score exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program, based on tests taken during the year window that begins in September, 2018 and runs through October, 2021, (for the recognition cycle concluding in June, 2022), nominated by their Chief State School Officer (CSSO) or nominated by one of our partner recognition organizations based on outstanding scholarship.

For the arts component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

• are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline;

• graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2022, the current program year;

• demonstrate academic achievement and talent in the visual, creative and performing arts; and

• participate in the YoungArts program.

For the CTE component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

• are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline;

• graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2022, the current program year;

• demonstrate academic achievement in career and technical programs; and

• are nominated by their state's Chief State School Officer.

Application for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation only. Students may not apply individually to the program or be nominated (outside of the above process).