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United States Presidential Scholars

Established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the United States Presidential Scholars Program (US Presidential Scholars) recognizes and honors outstanding high school seniors for achieving educational excellence. Since its inception, the program has expanded to include the General component (nominated by the Chief School Office in each state), visual and performing arts or creative writing and Career and Technical Education (CTE). To date, the program has honored more than 8,000 outstanding high school seniors with this award and recognition.

As the nominating jurisdiction, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) formally selects up to 20 students as candidates to represent the District of Columbia through the nomination and selection process. Candidates will go through the application process that is formally reviewed by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Each year, the Commission of Presential Scholars will select up to two students from the District as US Presidential Scholars – General component recipients. To celebrate their achievement, the US Presidential Scholars will receive formal recognition by the White House and other governmental commemorations as well as the Presidential Scholars Medallion.

Nomination Process for Students in the General Component

OSSE’s College and Career Readiness office is now seeking nominations for the 2024-25 school year cycle of United States Presidential Scholars in the General component. Local education agencies (LEAs) and schools are invited to nominate up to four students for the 2024-25 nomination cycle using the U.S. Presidential Scholars – General Component Nomination Form and submitting any supporting documentation via the secure Box file transfer website by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024.

If staff and/or students are in the nomination process for the 2024-25 US Presidential Scholars Program for Career and Technical Education, please refer to this website.

Candidate Requirements

  • Candidates must be US citizens or legal permanent residents
  • Candidates must be current high school seniors who will graduate between January and August 2025
  • Candidates can attend any school: public, public charter, parochial, independent, or home school
  • Candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
  • Candidates should display leadership and character in the school or community.
  • When thinking about your nominations, it is helpful to consider the following questions:
    • What makes the student stand out as having outstanding scholarship?
    • Were there special circumstances, challenges, or hurdles this student overcame while still achieving high academic success?

Nomination Process Timeline

  • Complete nominations must be submitted via the secure Box file transfer website by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024
  • Nominees will be reviewed by an OSSE Selection Committee, and 20 state nominees will be selected.
  • OSSE will forward the nominations to the US Presidential Scholars program office.
  • The US Presidential Scholars program office will invite the official nominees to submit a formal application by mid-to-late January 2025
  • Completed applications will be due in late February 2025
  • Semifinalist will be announced in mid-April.
  • The official announcement of the selection of the US Presidential Scholars will be announced in early May 2025
  • The online Scholars National Recognition Program #PSP25 will take place in June.

Accessing Box Secure File Transfer

  • Most schools and LEAs should receive an email from OSSE with access to the US Presidential Scholars secure Box file transfer website via a link.
  • To receive the link to access the secure Box file transfer website, please email Greg Palmer at [email protected] by Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 with the name and email address for the individual who will serve as the authorized user for the secure Box folder.
  • OSSE will compare your information with eSchoolPLUS for staff approval.
  • Once confirmed the point of contact and email address for your school will receive an official Box file transfer link to upload the names and information for your nominees (no more than six per school) into the Box folder for US Presidential Scholars General component. Complete nominations must be submitted via the secure Box file transfer website by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024.

For more information or questions, please contact Greg Palmer at [email protected].

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