Skip to main content
An Official Vermont Government Website

Awards and Recognition

Presidential Scholars 

 
Vermont Presidential Scholars Program 

The Vermont Presidential Scholars Program is a statewide recognition of student citizenship, academic, artistic, and leadership excellence. Students are recognized in three categories: General, Arts, and Career Technical Education (CTE). Each of these categories has different selection criteria, guidelines, and applications.  

For all categories, schools can decide their own process for selection and are encouraged to make this information available to students when appropriate. 

The Vermont Presidential Scholars recipients in the General and CTE categories who meet the federal requirements will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.  

Please note that in the General category, the federal program by Executive Order only allows states to submit nominations for up to 10 students identifying as male and 10 students identifying as female. Non-binary students should choose either male or female, whichever they most closely identify with; they do not need to choose their birth gender. 

General Category 

  • Outstanding students are selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators, but students may also nominate themselves. As a state that values student agency, we encourage student self-nomination.  

  • Each high school may nominate two students. These nominations are in addition to any student self-nominations from the same school. (Please note that in the General category, the federal program only allows states to submit nominations for up to 10 students identifying as male and 10 students identifying as female; Non-binary students should choose either male or female, whichever they most closely identify with; they do not need to choose their birth gender.) 

  • Per USDOE rules, all nominees must be high school seniors graduating between January and June of 2025 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent Vermont residents; who attend public, parochial, or independent schools; or who are home-schooled.  

  • General Category Nomination Form (This form is now close.)

  • Deadline for nominations: November 19, 2024  

Arts Category 

  • Outstanding students are selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators, but students may also nominate themselves. As a state that values student agency, we encourage student self-nomination. 

  • Note: CTE students within an arts-focused program should apply for the Presidential Scholars for the Arts 

  • There is no limit on the number of nominees from each school in the Arts category.  

  • Arts Category Nomination Form (This form is now close.)

  • Deadline for nominations: November 19, 2024  

CTE Category  

  • Outstanding students are selected based on nominations from teachers and administrators, and students may also nominate themselves with the endorsement of a qualifying adult.

  • There is no limit on the number of nominees from each CTE center in this category.  

  • Note: CTE students within an arts-focused program should apply for the Presidential Scholars for the Arts (see nomination form link above) 

  • Per US DOE rules, all nominees must be high school seniors graduating between January and June of 2025 who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent Vermont residents; who attend public, parochial, or independent schools; or who are home-schooled.  

  • CTE Nomination Form (This form is now close.)

  • Deadline for nominations: November 19, 2024 

Process Timeline – Vermont Agency of Education  

Students selected as Vermont Presidential Scholars will be notified before December 19, 2024. An award ceremony, traditionally held at the Vermont State house, will take place at the beginning of 2025. The date is to be determined.   

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. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.  

The Vermont Presidential Scholars recipients in the General and CTE categories who meet the federal requirements will be invited by the U.S. Department of Education to apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.  

Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.