NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award Opening Soon
Offered by National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)
About This Scholarship
The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) High School Award recognizes 9th through 12th grade students who are active in computing and technology and encourages them to keep pursuing the field. In its 20-plus year history, more than 25,000 students have received an AiC Award, making it one of the most established recognition programs in computing for high schoolers.
The award uses a multi-tiered structure: Winner, Honorable Mention, and Rising Star designations at both the National and Regional Affiliate levels, with Regional Affiliate programs hosted in 79 locations covering all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and U.S. overseas military bases. Recipients are judged on computing experience and activities, leadership, persistence, and future plans, with applications reviewed anonymously by academics and industry professionals.
For the 2026-27 cycle, applications open September 1, 2026 and close at 10:00 p.m. ET on October 27, 2026. Applicants must first join the free AiC Community, and an optional educator endorsement (due November 5, 2026) is strongly recommended for national consideration. The current award is sponsored by Bank of America, Critical Role Foundation, Jane Street, and Microsoft.
Eligibility
- Students in grades 9-12 who are members of the free AiC Community and attend school in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or on a U.S. overseas military base
- Must be at least 13 years old when creating an aspirations.org account, with parent/guardian approval if under 18
- National Award consideration additionally requires U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or substantial presence, plus a U.S. tax ID or Social Security number
- Students may reapply each year, though past National Award Winners cannot win the national title again
How To Apply
- Join the free Aspirations in Computing Community at aspirations.org, with parent/guardian approval if you are under 18
- Complete the online award application between September 1 and 10:00 p.m. ET on October 27, 2026, describing your computing experience, activities, and future plans
- Optionally have an educator submit an endorsement by November 5, 2026 — recommended if you want to be considered for a national designation
Frequently Asked Questions
What do NCWIT AiC High School Award winners receive?
National Award Winners receive cash and a trip to an award celebration hosted by sponsor Bank of America, plus an engraved award. National Honorable Mentions receive an engraved award, and all affiliate-level recipients receive a customized medal and recognition at a Regional Affiliate event. NCWIT does not publish the current cash amount on the award page.
Do I have to be a computer science major-track student to apply?
No. The award honors 9th-12th graders who are active and interested in computing and technology in any form — coursework, clubs, projects, or other computing-related activities all count toward the application.