$250 grants available for national middle school math competition in late January
All Colorado rural middle schools are eligible. Apply by Friday, November 7th!
The 40-minute, multiple-choice exam in middle school mathematics is offered nationwide each year by American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), a program of the Mathematical Association of America. All students in grade 8 or below are eligible; there are no prerequisites. This school year, the AMC 8 exam may be given onsite anytime in the 7-day period, January 22-28, 2026. (Online testing is not an option.)
Nearly 80,000 middle school students—including a few 5th graders—took the AMC 8 exam last January. In Colorado, more than 400 Colorado students from 25 schools participated; three students turned in perfect papers!
Nearly 80,000 middle school students—including a few 5th graders—took the test last January. In Colorado, more than 400 Colorado students from 25 schools participated, including three students who turned in perfect papers!
The $250 grant from Colorado Math Awards reimburses each participating middle school for its national registration fee ($55 before October 28 th , then $75) and student tests ($30 per bundle of 10 student licenses) paid to AMC. The remaining $100+ may be used for test preparation resources through AMC and/or other websites, an after-test celebration for participating students, or other school purposes.
To apply for a grant, notify Colorado Math Awards HERE with the school’s intention to register with AMC and pay its registration and test fees. Colorado Math Awards will reply whether CMA’s grant funds are available; if so, proceed to the AMC Registration Information webpage. AMC’s Competition Manager Registration Guide and Registration FAQs are helpful resources.
Upon receiving a copy from the school of its registration confirmation by AMC (including proof of payment of AMC fees), Colorado Math Awards will send the school’s “competition manager” or other designated contact person a check for $250.
MORE INFORMATION
— American Mathematics Competitions also offers annual math contests open to all high school students nationwide (AMC 10 and AMC 12) as well as the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) and the USA Math Olympiad and Junior Math Olympiad.
— Top Colorado students in the AMC 8 exam and these additional AMC contests will be honored at the 31 st annual reception and awards program hosted by Colorado Math Awards in Denver next spring.
— Applications from rural middle schools or testing sites that have hosted the AMC 8 test before are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to schools and sites that have not hosted the test before.
Past AMC 8 problems and solutions are available at no cost from the Art of Problem Solving website.
–The number of grants is limited, so it’s best to apply early.
— Feel free to contact us at coloradomathawards@gmail.com if you have questions or need more information.