Perks of NSHSS Membership for Your High School Student

Attending college these days is a costly undertaking. Even students who work hard to maintain a good GPA, participate in extracurricular activities, and engage in charitable efforts within their community may need help to get into their top schools and secure scholarship funds.

According to the 2023 Trends in College Pricing report from the College Board, students now pay an average of $11,260 for in-state and $29,150 for out-of-state tuition per year at a public institution. At private schools, that number jumps to a whopping $41,540.

While many students qualify for grants, loans, and other forms of student aid, some may need scholarship funds to make college possible. Others may be wary of taking on excessive student loan debt.

Parents looking for additional opportunities for the high school students in their household are sure to appreciate the many benefits offered by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). We provide young scholars with access to resources designed to help them transition from high school to college and a career path.

What is the NSHSS? How can we help your high school students, and how can students become members?

What Is the NSHSS?

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) was established in 2002 to “recognize academic excellence and honor the highest achieving high school students, providing them with the resources and network to excel in college, career, and community.” 

If your high school student is seeking ways to facilitate a college career through opportunities for scholarships, internships, and more, we make it our mission to pave the path for the leaders of tomorrow.

NSHSS has built a member community of over two million young scholars, representing over 26,000 high schools in over 170 countries. As a distinguished academic honor society, we recognize high-achieving student scholars and work to support them in reaching their goals. 

Over $2 million in NSHSS scholarships are awarded each year, and that’s just the beginning of the resources available to our members.

Access to Academic Opportunities

Is NSHSS worth it? We support students' academic pursuits by partnering with various universities, educational and nonprofit organizations, corporations, and government agencies to provide opportunities.

Members enjoy access to college fairs and member events, scholarships, leadership opportunities, and resources designed to kickstart a career path. We facilitate pathways to success as students take their first steps into adulthood.

Scholarships

Families that start saving early can struggle to cover college tuition costs, especially for young scholars who qualify for top schools. Scholarships can ease the financial burden of attending college and provide opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. NSHSS proudly taps into a network of partners to offer an expansive listing of scholarships.

Students must only submit a resume, transcripts, recommendations, and other required documents once, as they can be used for every application. From there, they select the scholarships that interest them and focus on individual requirements like essays.

Leadership Programs

Companies today face a leadership gap that impacts their ability to recruit talent, build successful teams, manage resources, and conduct business effectively. They’re looking for dynamic leaders with hard and soft skills that allow them to adapt, innovate, and consistently achieve excellence.

In addition to exploring NSHSS scholarships, young scholars are encouraged to participate in various leadership programs. The Ambassador Program awards qualifying students active in their school and community by offering unique opportunities to attend events and earn scholarships.

Young scholars can become Collegiate Council members as college students, connecting with the NSHSS community to share their experiences and advice with high school students. They also engage in outreach and organization events and social media efforts.

After graduation, alumni can continue to develop leadership skills through the Fellows Program, helping to connect members with resources and opportunities that fuel personal and organizational success.

Be More Grant

NSHSS is about more than academic success. We want to encourage young scholars to pursue their passions, so we proudly offer funding opportunities for members with aspirations to better the world. The Be More Grant offers ten annual awards of $10,000 and five $1,000 awards to members demonstrating products, projects, or nonprofit concepts that solve a problem.

How to Become a Member

Our independent organization requires only a one-time fee of $90 for a lifetime membership. Membership is based on academic performance and achievement, and students qualify by meeting one or more of the following criteria:

• 3.5/4.0 cumulative GPA

• Minimum 1280 SAT score

• Minimum 1150 PSAT score

• Minimum 26 ACT score

• Minimum score of 4 on any AP exam

• Minimum total combined IB test scores of 36

• IGCSE Grade A or higher

• Top 10% in class rankings

Joining is easy, and members enjoy a wealth of opportunities. Is NSHSS worth it for motivated students seeking a path to college and a career? With scholarships, leadership programs, and more, NSHSS helps high school students reach their full potential.