The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all young people ages 14 to 23. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you’d like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace, on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals.
Regardless of your situation, you can earn The Congressional Award. The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge.
Register
There are two ways to register for the Award – online or via hard copy. Either way, you will still need to mail in the signed Waiver and one time $15 Registration Fee. If you register online, your information is downloaded directly into our system. The day you register online or sign your Waiver is the day you may begin counting activities towards the program. We cannot backdate your activity start date for activities completed prior to registration.
Scholarships
Participants and Congressional Award recipients are privileged to many opportunities provided by our national partners, schools, and universities. Below you will find scholarship opportunities that are readily available to medalists and participants. Please review each scholarship guidelines and requirements for more details.
PLEASE NOTE: The Congressional Award does NOT make any judgment or recommendations in regards to the scholarship recipient. Each scholarship is administered by each independent organization.
People to People International James and Eunice Doty Award
People to People/ Congressional Award Scholarship
In cooperation with the Congressional Award Leadership Commission, People to People International established the James and Eunice Doty People to People/Congressional Award Scholarship Fund. People to People International is an educational, cultural and humanitarian exchange organization founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Its purpose is to advance international understanding through the direct exchange of ideas and experiences among people of different countries. For additional information, please visit People to People’s website www.ptpi.org.
James & Eunice Doty PTPI/Congressional Award Scholarship
The scholarship underwrites participation (tuition) for two Congressional Award recipients to attend the Global Youth Forum (GYF). The GYF is an annual conference for young leaders to connect and learn about various global and cultural topics. Airfare, unaccompanied minor fees, and personal spending money are not included.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:
have earned a Congressional Award (bronze, silver, or gold)
currently be a middle or high school student (ages 13 – 18)
be in good academic standing
demonstrate maturity and well-rounded interests
demonstrate financial need
Incomplete and late applications will not be considered. Questions – please visit https://www.ptpi.org/Learn/Financial-Aid/Scholarships.
Kentucky Christian University
Kentucky Christian University is the first university in Kentucky to partner with the Congressional Award and provide tuition scholarships of $1,000, $750 and $500 for students who have earned Gold, Silver, or Bronze Congressional Award Medals, respectively. The goal of the Congressional Award is an ideal match with KCU’s guiding principles which focus on equipping students for leadership, developing personal character, and training students for academic excellence within their chosen vocation. University requirements can be found at www.kcu.edu.