PVSA Application 2025

Required Application Criteria:

• Applications must be complete and include all required documentation in a legible format.
• All applications must include proof of current SkillsUSA membership. Acceptable documents include a SkillsUSA membership card(s) or the student(s) name(s) indicated on the SkillsUSA Chapter Roster.
• All applications must include a volunteer service log (individual award) or timesheet (chapter award) that details:
• Each date the volunteer(s) performed volunteer service, including location of service.
• The total number of hours for each date of volunteer service.
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• The application requires a letter from each organization that appears on the applicant’s service log or time sheet that verifies the applicant’s volunteer service. The letter must:
• Be typed on the organization’s letterhead.
• Name the applicant.
• Include the applicant’s term of service and total hours contributed to the organization.
• Be signed by a representative of the organization for which volunteer service was performed.
• Example: “This letter is to certify that ____________ performed ___ hours of service for Organization Name between the dates of ______ and _______.”
• The application (both individuals and chapters) must include a Letter of Nomination from a SkillsUSA advisor, instructor, or SkillsUSA state director on organizational letterhead that affirms the student-applicant has performed the necessary volunteer hours to be considered for the PVSA.

Rules:

• Ineligible volunteer hours include hours spent meeting, driving, sleeping, or off-duty.
• In accordance with AmeriCorps® and the Point of Light Foundation, ineligible service includes donating funds, political lobbying, religious instruction, conducting a worship service, proselytizing, court-ordered community service, service of only family members.
• An applicant’s volunteer hours must be applied to an individual award OR a chapter award, but not both.
• Hours served fulfilling responsibilities as a SkillsUSA local, state, or national officer are not to be included as service hours towards the PVSA.
• SkillsUSA is both ethically and legally bound to honor the service hour and award levels as set forth by the PVSA.
• Missing data (example: claimed volunteer hours not reflected on time sheet) or unverified data (example: nomination or verification letter on non-letterhead) may result in rejection of the application, or receipt of the PVSA at a lower award level. Only service hours that are appropriately documented and verified will be counted. Before submitting the application, ensure that all data is correct, fully documented, and verified.

SkillsUSA is a certifying organization of the President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA), a program of AmeriCorps and Point of Light Foundation. To qualify to receive the PVSA from SkillsUSA in June 2024, SkillsUSA student-volunteers must complete this online application verifying their documented service hours by March 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST. All volunteer hours must have taken place during a single consecutive 12-month period between January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

PVSA recipients frequently include this honor on their resume and on college, scholarship, and job applications! Recipients who receive the PVSA award from SkillsUSA will receive:

• an official lapel pin reflecting the Bronze, Silver, or Gold service level.
• a personalized certificate of achievement.
• a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States

Award Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold

Active SkillsUSA members (students) can apply to receive a PVSA Individual Award. SkillsUSA Chapters may use their collective volunteer hours to apply to receive the PVSA Team Award. Your award level (or your chapter's award level) will be calculated according to two criteria:

1. The total number of hours served in a 12-month consecutive period between January 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
2. The volunteer(s) reported age as detailed in the chart below.

Note: SkillsUSA Chapters applying for the PVSA should follow the criteria described in the "Families/Groups/Teams" row below.

Awards Levels – Service Benchmark

* The age category is determined by the age the student was for at least 7 months within the calendar year. For example, if the student was 16 for seven (7) months within the year in question, that person would qualify within the 16-25 age group. 

Complete and submit this form only if you are a registered member of a SkillsUSA chapter at your middle school, high school, or college. If you are not a member of SkillsUSA, but wish to learn more about the PVSA, visit https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/

To qualify to receive the PVSA from SkillsUSA in June 2024, SkillsUSA student-volunteers must have performed hours within a single consecutive 12-month period. Volunteer hours prior to January 1, 2023 do not apply unless you are submitting for the Lifetime Award. 

Emailed, faxed or incomplete applications will not be considered and will be discarded.