January 14, 2026

Shortened Timeline: U.S. Presidential Scholars Nominations Due Jan. 26
 

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has announced the opening of this year’s award nominations. This year’s timeline for submissions, however, is significantly shorter than past cycles. The U.S. Department of Education is asking for nominations of up to two students to be made by Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

Given this quick turnaround, we are asking those interested in submitting a nomination for one or both categories to complete this simplified form. Students will not be asked to submit essays as in the past. The selection will be made by the DPI based on the information submitted by school districts. We need your help distributing this information to your school leaders.

More Information on the Program

President Lyndon Johnson established the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in 1964. The mission of the program is to recognize outstanding high school seniors. Over 8,000 seniors have been honored since the program began.

In past years, a request was sent to all high school principals to nominate up to two seniors on track to graduate that year for one or both categories:

• General Nomination:Achievement and Overcoming Challenges AND/OR
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Accomplishment.

These students would be notified and asked to complete a series of essay questions leading to the DPI selecting up to our limit of 20 students in the General Category and 5 students for the CTE category. As stated, students will not be asked to submit essays as in years past. The selection will be made by the DPI based on the information submitted by school districts.

All high school seniors graduating between January and August 2026, who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and attend public, parochial, or independent schools or are home-schooled are eligible.

Nominations for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program can be made using this link. Again, the deadline to nominate up to two students is Monday, Jan. 26, at 11:59 p.m. Students selected to advance to the next round will be notified along with the adult who nominated them.

We know this time of the school year is a very busy time and appreciate you considering this opportunity to celebrate your students.