US Presidential Scholars Program
The United States 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. In 2015, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. All scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the online National Recognition Program and are awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion. More information can be found on the US Department of Education webpage.
Once the US Department of Education opens the nominations, the South Dakota Department of Education will seek candidates for the state's nominations for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars. Each Chief State School Officer can nominate up to 20 students in the traditional Scholars program: 10 males and 10 females. Additionally, up to five students in CTE can be nominated. All high school seniors graduating between January and August of 2026 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents and who attend public, parochial, or independent schools, as well as those who are home-schooled, are eligible.
After South Dakota submits its U.S. Presidential Scholars nominations, applications will be reviewed and narrowed to a list of nationwide nominees. All U.S. nominees will be announced and invited to apply by the U.S. Presidential Scholars program office.
- Be a high school senior graduating between January and August of 2026
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Attend public, parochial, or independent schools, as well as those who are home schooled
- Academic criteria
- Traditional - Achieve an ACT composite or superscore of 30 or higher
- CTE - Demonstrate academic achievement in career and technical programs
Application Deadline:
To submit a nomination for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program, nominators must submit a Program Application Form.
After South Dakota submits its U.S. Presidential Scholars nominations, applications will be reviewed and narrowed to a list of nation-wide nominees. All U.S. nominees will be announced and invited to apply by the U.S. Presidential Scholars program office.For more information, contact Tracia Rentsch with the South Dakota Department of Education at (605) 220-6612.