The College Board, the nonprofit organization that administers the SAT and AP exams for high school students, has discontinued a long-standing recognition program dedicated to students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Established over 40 years ago, the College Board National Recognition Program has recognized high school students with high achievement on AP exams and/or PSAT-related assessments. The program helps students stand out when applying to postsecondary institutions. Until recently, the program offered awards in five categories: African American and Black students, Hispanic and Latinx students, Native American and Indigenous students, first-generation college students, and students from rural areas or small towns.
This year, the College Board has eliminated the three race-based award categories. In addition to the first-generation and rural categories, the program now includes a school recognition award, which honors the top-performing students in high schools across the country.
“Discontinued this year are race- and ethnicity-based award designations for African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American/Indigenous students,” reads a College Board statement announcing the program’s changes. “In 2023, the Supreme Court ruling prohibited the use of race in admissions. Recent legal and regulatory actions have further limited the utility of these awards for students and colleges. This change will ensure high-achieving students of all backgrounds can stand out on college and scholarship applications.”
More information about the program and its eligibility requirements can be found here.
