Nearly 19,000 high school students were recognized as Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), according to an ISAC news release.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 749 different high schools across the state, according to ISAC. The selection of the winners is based on junior-year class rank, SAT, ACT and Prairie State Achievement Exam scores. High school guidance counselors work in conjunction with ISAC to determine the winners.

According to ISAC, the recognition does not include a monetary award but recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admissions and scholarships.

Recipients are also encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid after Jan. 1 to determine eligibility for federal and state aid, which includes the state’s $371 million need-based Monetary Award Program, according to ISAC.