How the Congressional Award Strengthens College Applications

With the discontinuation of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, many students are looking for a structured and credible way to recognize sustained community engagement. One strong option remains: The Congressional Award, a national program that honors initiative, service, and personal development among youth ages 14–24. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a youth civilian by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

In this blog post, we introduce what the award is, how to earn it, when to start, why it strengthens college applications, and provide one example pathway for students passionate about business.

What the Congressional Award Is

The Congressional Award is a federal, noncompetitive program created by Congress. Students earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Medals by setting long-term goals and completing them in all four required categories:

• Voluntary Public Service

• Personal Development

• Physical Fitness

• Expedition/Exploration

  
  

Students propose their own goals and activities, and progress is measured by verified hours and sustained commitment—not competition. It’s important to understand eligibility rules for each category and plan accordingly. Through strategic and thoughtful planning, students should aim to integrate award requirements into activities they already do, rather than creating additional burdens on an already full schedule.

How to Earn It

The structure is straightforward:

• Register online.

• Select an advisor (teacher, coach, mentor—non-family).

• Set measurable goals for each category and get them approved before logging hours.

• Log hours and document progress over required minimum time frames.

• Submit the record book for evaluation after completing a level.

Each level of recognition has minimum hour and time requirements. Hours cannot be counted retroactively, and students must complete the required hours in all four categories before earning a level.

When Should Students Start?

There is no grade requirement, but the timeline matters. Hours must be logged after registration, and higher levels require longer commitments. For example, the Gold Medal requires at least 24 months of progress and hundreds of verified hours across categories.

As a result, students aiming to earn the Gold Medal before college applications should ideally start in 9th grade or early 10th grade. Students who start later can still make meaningful progress toward Bronze or Silver levels, which remain valuable for college applications. Colleges do not expect every student to reach the highest level; what matters most is sustained commitment—not the maximum designation.

Why It’s Strong for College Applications

College readers value awards that demonstrate real substance. The Congressional Award signals:

• initiative, planning, and execution

• sustained volunteer impact over months or years

• growth across multiple dimensions—not just academics

• authenticity rather than resume padding

• documented hours verified by an advisor

Students can list earned levels under honors or awards and draw from their projects when writing activity descriptions or application essays.

Example Pathway for a Business-Focused Student

Every student’s interests, strengths, and circumstances are different, and there is no single “correct” way to pursue the Congressional Award. The pathway below is just one of many possible approaches for students interested in business, economics, finance, or entrepreneurship. Each student should plan strategically so that pursuing the award aligns naturally with their existing interests and commitments. When done well, the Congressional Award should create synergy—strengthening a student’s overall profile and narrative—rather than adding unnecessary or unrealistic burden to an already demanding schedule.

For college admissions officers, this kind of pathway demonstrates not just an interest in business, but sustained initiative, leadership, and applied learning beyond the classroom. It also helps colleges clearly understand a student’s interests and impact without forcing them to add activities solely for the sake of an award.

Voluntary Public Service

• Design and lead financial literacy workshops for middle school students or immigrant communities, covering topics such as budgeting, saving, and responsible credit use.

• Support a nonprofit organization by managing or improving its donor database, assisting with fundraising logistics, or coordinating sponsorship outreach.

• Design and implement a basic social media or marketing plan for a nonprofit or small business, tracking engagement, outreach, or fundraising outcomes over time.

Personal Development

• Lead or compete in individual or group competitions in business, economics, finance, or entrepreneurship, with documented preparation, reflection, and post-competition analysis.

• Lead or help organize business-focused clubs at school, such as investment clubs, entrepreneurship clubs, or DECA chapters.

• Develop practical business skills by learning QuickBooks, Excel financial modeling, Google Analytics, or completing entrepreneurship or economics coursework outside of school.

• Build communication and leadership skills through public speaking programs such as Speech and Debate, Model UN, Mock Trial, or Toastmasters Youth Leadership.

Physical Fitness

• Continue participating in current sports or physical activities, setting measurable goals related to endurance, strength, or performance improvement.

• Train for an endurance milestone such as a 5K or 10K, tracking pace, stamina, or completion time over several months.

• Follow a structured fitness routine and document progress in strength, flexibility, or conditioning.

Expedition / Exploration

• Plan and budget a multi-day research trip comparing small business operations in different regions, focusing on factors such as customer acquisition, pricing strategies, or cost structures.

• Conduct structured interviews with local business owners or market vendors to study supply chains, operations, and decision-making, and synthesize findings in a written reflection or report.

Bottom Line

The Congressional Award is one of the most rigorous national frameworks available to high school students for recognizing initiative, service, and long-term commitment. Students do not need to pursue the highest level for the award to be meaningful. What matters is starting thoughtfully, integrating goals into existing activities, and demonstrating genuine sustained engagement—qualities selective colleges consistently value.