No. National Math Stars has no costs or fees associated with it. We may sometimes recommend outside enrichment opportunities that cost money, but all of these are optional (and families with financial need can request funding to support them).

We choose National Math Stars based on interest and ability in mathematics. We are looking for 1-in-1000 (99.9th percentile) young mathematicians.

We assess math ability on the basis of existing test scores and our own admissions assessments. We’re looking for students who not only excel on math courses or exams, but who show passion for the subject and are ready to stretch further. If your child is always asking you mathematical questions, can’t get enough of STEM books and videos, or loves solving puzzles in their spare time, that could be a sign that they are a good fit for the program.

For the Voyager Stars Program (but not for Pathfinder), we also consider the each applicant’s level of need for the program. While income is the most important factor in this determination, it includes a variety of dimensions. We’re trying to answer the question, “What will this program enable a student to do, that they wouldn’t otherwise accomplish?” We especially encourage applications from students who are low-income, first-generation, rural, or from demographics historically underrepresented in advanced mathematics.

No. We offer programs for students across the income and need spectrum.

Voyager is aimed at families with financial need. The average household income in our 2025 cohort of Voyager Stars was approximately $70K. However, we have no hard income cap on eligibility for the program, and we understand that every family is different. Income does not always reflect level of need, and we take unique circumstances into account when considering how much value the intensive support of Voyager could add to a student’s trajectory.

Pathfinder offers guidance, community, and targeted financial support to all of the country’s most talented young mathematicians. The Pathfinder admissions process does not consider financial need.

Most National Math Stars spend 3-5 hours per week on core program activities. These activities include participation in math enrichment classes, regular math mentoring sessions, homework for classes, family advisor meetings, and community gatherings. (This estimate does not include time spent on additional STEM extracurriculars — such as robotics or coding — which National Math Stars can help find and fund, but which are not a required part of the program.) Please note that we will work with each accepted family to build a participation schedule that fits your unique needs. Our goal is to support you and your child in reaching their fullest potential.

Not usually. National Math Stars is a supplemental program that is meant to build on, and go beyond, what your child is already learning in school. Some National Math Stars do work on their advanced coursework during school time instead of regular math classes, but only when their parents and the school agree that this is beneficial to their learning.

You should receive an automated email confirmation within an hour of submitting your application. If you do not receive an email confirmation, please email us at admissions@nationalmathstars.org. All applicants will be notified about whether they have been selected as finalists in July. Finalists will be invited to participate in a proctored exam and family interview. (National Math Stars covers all costs.)

While you are welcome to submit an application (we may expand our age range in future years), we are only accepting students that are currently in 2nd or 3rd grade OR ages 7-9 for the 2026 cohort.

We are working hard to expand our programming into other states! However, for the 2026 National Math Stars cohort, we are only accepting students who reside in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas or Wisconsin.

All applicants are considered for both our Pathfinder and Voyager Stars programs. Both programs look for the same level of mathematical ability. Families with the highest levels of demonstrated need are referred to our Voyager Stars program. All other families are referred to our Pathfinder Stars program.

If you have any further questions or need support in submitting an application, please contact us at admissions@nationalmathstars.org.