The Truth About the CollegeBoard’s New National Recognition Program: Honor or PR Move?

If you’re a high-achieving student, or the parent of one, you may have received a shiny email from the College Board congratulating you on earning a “National Recognition Award.” Sounds prestigious, right?

But before you frame the certificate or list it on every college application, let’s dig into what this award actually is—and more importantly, what it’s not.

Spoiler alert: it’s more not than is.

Emails similar to the one above were sent from CollegeBoard were sent out in May 2025.

What Is the National Recognition Program?

The College Board National Recognition Program (NRP) was originally created to highlight high-performing students from underrepresented backgrounds. Up until 2024, the program included awards like the National African American Recognition Award and the National Hispanic Recognition Award.

But in 2025, the College Board silently removed those race-based categories—citing legal concerns after the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action—and replaced them with broader, supposedly race-neutral awards:

• First-Generation Recognition Award

• Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• School Recognition Award (for students in the top 10% of their high school class)
  

According to the College Board’s BigFuture site, the goal is to “celebrate students who have excelled academically in high school and on College Board assessments.”

Sounds great... right?

What Changed—and Why It Matters

In response to the 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning the use of race in college admissions, the College Board stated that “recent legal and regulatory developments” had “limited the utility of race-based recognition programs” (source).

To their credit, the College Board faced a complex legal landscape and attempted to rebrand their recognition programs to continue honoring student achievement without explicit reference to race. They introduced new categories: First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, and School Recognition Award.

However, this shift introduced new ambiguities. For instance, the definition of "rural" or "small town" is based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics, but the criteria can be surprisingly broad. As a result, students from areas that don't intuitively seem rural may qualify, while others from genuinely underserved communities might not. This raises questions about the effectiveness and fairness of the new designations. As The Hechinger Report observed, “Small towns could include those with modest incomes or wealthy enclaves like Aspen, Colorado,” highlighting how the new criteria blur the lines between underserved and already-privileged communities.

In attempting to navigate legal compliance, the College Board replaced specific recognitions for historically underrepresented groups with broader categories. While well-intentioned, this change may inadvertently favor students who already have access to resources and support, thereby diluting the original mission of promoting diversity and inclusion.

The Award That Requires... Absolutely Nothing Extra

Let’s be honest: this award is the academic equivalent of a participation trophy with a better font. You don’t apply. You don’t write an essay. You don’t even know it exists until the College Board emails you about it. The only requirement? That you’ve already earned a decent GPA and done well on the PSAT or two AP exams before junior year.

That’s it.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because it follows the same playbook as the AP Scholar with Distinction award—another auto-generated “honor” that adds minimal value to your application. It’s just a fancier way of restating things colleges can already see on your transcript.

The College Board isn’t recognizing something new—it’s just giving a new name to the stats they already have on you.

Does NRP Actually Help in College Admissions?

The way the CollegeBoard has made their fancy website seem is that as soon as you register for the NRP, your email inbox will start becoming flooded with awards and the door will open the door to automatic merit scholarships.

But here’s the reality: in reviewing many college websites, those scholarships are tied to the National Merit Scholarship Program, which is based on PSAT/NMSQT scores (and very competitive ones at that!). The National Recognition Program is not part of National Merit, and it doesn’t come with the same scholarship infrastructure.

While the College Board says the award helps students “stand out” in the college search process, there is no consistent or public evidence that colleges offer dedicated scholarships tied specifically to this recognition.

So yes—you can list it on your Common App. But in terms of real admissions or financial impact? Don't expect it to move the needle.

Student Search Service™—Or How to Monetize Recognition

Here’s where it gets really interesting.

CollegeBoard doesn’t notify colleges about your award unless you opt into Student Search Service™—a platform that allows colleges to purchase access to your data. The College Board frames this as an opportunity to “help students get discovered.” (source)

What does this actually mean? If you want this “recognition” to be seen, you have to consent to your data being sold.

So yes, this award might get you noticed—but only because you’ve opted into a searchable, revenue-generating database. A recognition program that functions less as a college prep tool and more as a lead generation funnel for institutions trying to boost yield.

It’s not exactly altruism; it’s marketing wrapped in a merit badge.

A Picture Worth… Slightly Less Than a Scholarship

Here's a tantalizing image from the College Board NRP site:

Tempting huh?

Let’s break down their claims:

• “Get recruited by top colleges” – Sure, but only if you sell your data through Student Search Service™.

• “Stand out on scholarship applications” – There’s no actual evidence this award leads to scholarships. Schools with generous merit aid are looking at National Merit, not this.

• “Show you’re ready to succeed in college and beyond” – That’s what your transcript and test scores already do. This is just a certificate with decorative fonts and no added value.

The College Board’s pitch is polished, but the promise? Paper-thin.

Colleges Are Pulling Back From CollegeBoard's National Recognition Program Too

If you’re wondering whether colleges themselves are still taking this award seriously—the answer is increasingly: not really.

While the NRP once offered a modest pathway to merit aid for underrepresented students, many universities are now backing away from using it as a basis for scholarships. Why? Because the new categories are too broad, and the price tag for honoring every student in the top 10% of their high school adds up fast.

“We’re currently analyzing our scholarship strategy, but changes will be made across the board,” said Steve Carr, director of communications at the University of New Mexico.

As reported by The Hechinger Report, New Mexico plans to stop using the College Board designations altogether starting in the 2026–27 school year. That’s a big shift, considering the university awarded $15,000 scholarships to 149 Black, Hispanic, and Native American students through the program as recently as 2023–24.

The University of Arizona, which also offered scholarships tied to the racial recognition categories, echoed the uncertainty. “The university was already evaluating its scholarship strategy and will consider the College Board’s announcement as we determine how best to move forward and support our students,” said university spokesperson Mitch Zak.

The message is clear: in an era of increasing financial uncertainty, colleges aren’t going to bankroll an honor that no longer targets the students it was created to uplift. As the recognition categories broaden and lose specificity, their usefulness—for equity and for budgeting—diminishes.

So if you're counting on this award to open scholarship doors, just know: even the colleges aren't sure it should.

For First Gen and Rural Students: You Deserve More Than a PDF

If you're a first-generation college student or truly come from a rural or small-town background, it’s important to know this: you are more than a marketing tool. And your story deserves more than a mass-produced certificate from the College Board.

The National Recognition Program might be a nice nod to your hard work—but let’s be honest: it doesn’t come with mentorship, funding, or a support network. It doesn’t offer you a person to call, a pathway to navigate financial aid, or a real advocate in a college office.

But the good news? Those programs do exist—just not from the College Board.

Here are a few organizations and opportunities that offer real, ongoing support for students like you:

• QuestBridge – Connects high-achieving, low-income students with full scholarships at top-tier colleges.

• College Advising Corps – Offers near-peer mentoring and college advising, especially in underserved areas.

• First Generation Foundation – Supports first-gen students with resources, community, and funding.

• TRIO Programs – Federally funded services like Upward Bound and Talent Search offer tutoring, mentoring, and help with the entire college process.
  

If you’re serious about college—and we know you are—seek out programs that will walk the journey with you, not just hand you a sticker and hope for the best.

You’ve already proven you have what it takes. Now it’s time to surround yourself with people and programs that prove they’ve got you, too.

What Should Students and Families Actually Do With this "Honor"?

If you receive the eligbility email from CollegeBoard:

• Feel free to apply for it and list it on your applications—it’s technically legitimate.

• Just don’t assume it has real weight. It doesn’t replace actual achievements or selective honors.

• Look into real merit scholarships—don’t assume this award qualifies you.

• Focus on what matters: rigorous academics, strong essays, meaningful activities, and a cohesive application strategy.
  

Want Help Cutting Through the Noise?

At Thinque Prep, we help students and families navigate the confusing, often cynical world of college admissions—and focus on what actually makes a difference.

Schedule a consultation and get expert guidance tailored to your goals—not just the CollegeBoard’s marketing pitch.