Academic Awards & Honors for High School Students

Awards on this page — congressional medals, presidential honors, national subject awards — certify achievement you have already built elsewhere, which makes them the highest-leverage applications you can file.

Most students never apply for the honors they already qualify for; an hour of paperwork here regularly outperforms a semester of new activity.

45 verified programs match this page; 24 of the featured listings are completely free; 18 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Caltech Signature Award for Innovation — California Institute of Technology: Earn recognition for your groundbreaking ideas in science with this free high school research award. Boost your college applications and showcase your
• Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition — Forbes Magazine: Gain national recognition as a high school entrepreneur with Forbes 30 Under 30. Boost college applications and showcase your achievements in business
• National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards) — Broadway League: Compete in a prestigious national musical theatre competition in NYC! Showcase your talent, gain performance skills, and boost your college applicatio
• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program — U.S. Department of Education: Earn national recognition as a U.S. Presidential Scholar, the highest honor for top high school seniors. Boost college applications and showcase leade
• Barry Goldwater Excellence in Education — Goldwater Foundation: Recognition program leading to Goldwater Scholarship eligibility in college.
• National Latin Exam Summa Cum Laude — National Latin Exam: Highest score category on National Latin Exam. Recognizes exceptional Latin language proficiency and cultural knowledge.
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Special Awards — Various Organizations at ISEF: Organizations award 600+ special awards at ISEF. Includes NASA, Army, Navy, Air Force, and specialty organizations.
• Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award — Society for Neuroscience: Recognizes exceptional high school students conducting neuroscience research. Winners present at annual neuroscience conferences.
• National Spanish Examinations Gold Award — American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese: National Spanish proficiency exam with tiered awards. Gold medal recipients demonstrate exceptional Spanish language mastery.
• Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes — Barron Prize: 25 winners receive $10,000. For young leaders making positive difference.
• Princeton Prize in Race Relations — Princeton University: For students promoting race relations. Regional winners + symposium at Princeton.
• Yale Book Award — Yale Alumni: For exceptional juniors with character and leadership. Nominated by school.
• NCWIT Aspirations in Computing National Award — NCWIT: Recognizes young women for computing achievements and interest. National winners receive $500 and highly regarded by tech companies and top CS program
• Yale Science & Engineering Association Award — YSEA: Special award at ISEF and regional fairs for outstanding research.
• Davidson Fellows Honorable Mention — Davidson Institute: $10,000 awards for significant projects in STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or outside the box. Under 18 at application.
• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in the Arts — U.S. Department of Education: Highest honor bestowed upon American arts students by the U.S. President. 20 students selected annually via YoungArts for national recognition ceremon
• FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Dean's List Finalist — FIRST: Top individual student award in FRC. 10 winners selected from ~300 semi-finalists.
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — Duke of Edinburgh Award: International youth achievement award. Service, skill, physical, expedition.
• Le Grand Concours National Gold Medal — American Association of Teachers of French: Top national performers in National French Contest. Highest recognition for French language achievement.
• Harvard Prize Book Award — Harvard Club: Awarded to outstanding juniors. Nominated by school. Prestigious recognition.
• Texas Academy of Science High School Awards — Texas Academy of Science: Recognition for Texas high school students presenting research at Texas Academy of Science annual meeting.
• National Classical Greek Exam — American Classical League: Boost your college applications with the National Classical Greek Exam, a hybrid competition for grades 9-12. Showcase your language skills and earn r
• InnerView National Community Service Awards — InnerView: Earn national recognition for volunteer impact in this free online program for high school students. Build skills, boost college applications, and mak
• Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards — Helen Diller Family Foundation: Empowering Jewish high school teens to lead and innovate through community service. Win recognition and boost college applications with this prestigio
• NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards — National Federation of Independent Business: Earn recognition and awards for your small business in this virtual competition for high school entrepreneurs. Boost college applications and showcase
• College Board National Recognition Program Awards — College Board: Gain national recognition as a high-achieving, underrepresented high school student. Strengthen college applications with this free academic award for
• Indiana Academic Honors Diploma — Indiana Department of Education: Earn the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma by completing a rigorous curriculum. Boost college applications, showcase academic excellence, and stand out
• Jefferson Awards for Public Service — Jefferson Awards Foundation: Gain leadership skills and national recognition with this free hybrid competition for high school students creating positive change through volunteer
• National History Day Special Prizes — National History Day / Various Organizations: Compete for special prizes at National History Day! Middle and high school students develop research skills, earn recognition, and boost college appli
• DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship — Daughters of the American Revolution: Showcase your leadership and patriotism through this hybrid high school competition. Build skills, earn recognition, and strengthen your college appli

Frequently asked questions