Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program

About this scholarship

America's Distinguished Young Women is a free scholarship and leadership program for high school students who identify as young women. Participants begin through a local, at-large, or state program determined by where they live. Local and state deadlines differ: several states are accepting the Class of 2027 now, while others have finished that class and accept later graduation years. Students should use the official program finder before applying rather than relying on a single national deadline. Participants are evaluated in scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression and can earn local, state, and national cash scholarships. State representatives advance to the Class of 2027 National Finals in Mobile, Alabama on June 24–26, 2027. The program also maintains a current portfolio of college-granted offers for participants and winners; these range from smaller annual awards to renewable tuition packages, and every college applies its own admission, enrollment, GPA, residency, and stacking rules. The direct national application creates a participant profile, but the relevant local or state committee controls eligibility and timing. There is no participation fee. Applicants should confirm their graduation class, residence-based program, deadline, and event commitments before submitting.

Eligibility

• Be a high school student who identifies as a young woman
• Apply through the local, at-large, or state program serving the applicant’s residence
• Meet the graduation-class and application deadline published by that program
• Participate in the program’s scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression evaluations
• Provide the participant information and permissions required by the official application
• Meet separate admission, enrollment, GPA, and renewal rules for any college-granted scholarship offer