Judging & Awards

Each year, up to 120 students share as much as $456,000 in college scholarships. Scholarships can be used for tuition, fees, and on-campus room and board at accredited colleges or universities in the United States.

YES Competition judges select students to receive scholarship awards based on the quality of their research.

• Up to 60 Semifinalists receive scholarship awards of $1,000, completing their participation in the competition.
• Up to 60 Regional Finalists (up to 10 from each of six regions of the country defined by the College Board) receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the regional and national finals in April, 2010. Regional Finalists are judged on the basis of their written research reports, oral presentations, and oral question and answer sessions.
• 48 Regional Finalists receive scholarship awards of $2,000.
• 12 National Finalists compete in front of a panel of national judges. National Finalists receive awards ranging from $15,000 to 50,000:
  • Six receive $15,000 each
  • Two receive $20,000 each
  • Two receive $35, 000 each
  • Two receive $50,000 each

Award Notification

• March 31, 2010: Semifinalists and Regional Finalists announced on the YES website
• April 23-26, 2010: YES regional and national competitions in Washington D.C.

Next Page: Instructions to Enter