Student Scholarships, Awards & Special Programs

U.S. Presidential Scholarship Program

Each year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Commissioner seeks school nominations of high school seniors for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, approximately 160 students from across the country are named by the U.S. Department of Education (USED) as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

Scholars are chosen based on their accomplishments in many areas — academics, leadership, and involvement in their school and the community — and represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's youth. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored during the National Recognition Program each June. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.

Please see the chart below for the anticipated general program timelines. Questions may be emailed to achievement@mass.gov .

Anticipated Timing — School Year 2024-2025	Steps
September 2024	All Massachusetts high schools are invited by DESE's Acting Commissioner Johnston to consider nominating up to two students (of different genders) for this award. Nomination Guidelines are expected to be available by September 19, 2024 and have relevant submission details. If you want to see a copy of last year's form (which has some similar information) to start planning, you can request one through achievement@mass.edu .
Mid-October 2024	Student nominations from high schools are due to DESE for consideration (anticipated due date is October 17, 2024).
Late Fall 2024 (November – December)	Commissioner selects up to 20 students (no more than 10 male and 10 female) state nominees for the General Category and up to 5 total (of any gender) for the Career Technical Education (CTE) Category. DESE submits names of selected state student nominees (up to 25) to USED.
January 2025	Principals and superintendents are notified of the state's student nominees. These are referred to as "candidates" at the national level. USED sends candidate invitations to apply (by late January).
Late February 2025	Candidates' applications due to USED.
Mid-April 2025	USED announces Semi-Finalists.
Early May 2025	USED announces Presidential Scholars.
Mid-to-late June 2025	U.S. Presidential Scholars Recognition Program is held online (hosted by USED).

School year 2023-2024 information and previous years' Candidates, Semi-finalists, and Scholars can be found on the USED Presidential Scholars web site.

Last Updated: September 12, 2024