Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship ProgramAcademic Excellence :

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is a national honors scholarship program funded by Congress each year. The program is available to high school student applicants in their senior year only. Funding is available for approximately 90 Minnesota students, distributed equitably among the state's eight congressional districts.

Eligible students may win a $1,500 award that is renewable for 3 more years. The number of awards may vary, depending on the amount at which Congress funds the program each year or other factors. High school seniors can get information and an application form from the high school principal or counselor after the winter holiday break. In general, the application period closes on March 15. Students must obtain the application form from and submit the completed items to the high school counselor/principal. The principal forwards one application [or two, if the senior class is 350 or greater] to the Department of Education to compete statewide by congressional district. The application consists of grades, education and career goals, student activities, and letters of recommendation.

Basic Timeline:

• September 30 - payment to schools for current Byrd Scholars whose paperwork is complete.
• January 5 - application available from high school counselor or principal.
• March 15 - application due from high school principal to Minnesota Department of Education. Subscribe to Updates for further information.

MDE contact: Sarah K Smith, 651.582.8629.

Students seeking awards must indicate the congressional district in which they reside. Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website to locate your district.

By accessing thses links, you will be leaving the Minnesota Department of Education Web site.  Links to third-party sites are provided as a service to MDE Web site visitors.  See our disclaimer regarding these sites in our copyright information linked at the bottom of this page.