Membership

NSHSS helps today's scholars become tomorrow's leaders. Consider joining NSHSS for a one-time lifetime fee of $90 to be recognized and access a range of benefits including scholarship opportunities, college fairs, internships, career connections, personal development events, leadership opportunities, and more.

Your membership fee goes toward the costs of member communications, benefits, technology support, and more. There are no fees to apply for scholarships. Your full benefits extend from high school to college and beyond. We are committed to supporting you on your path to greatness.

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Young Scholars
In our member community since 2002.

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In Scholarships Awarded Annually

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High Schools
With NSHSS Members
3.5 Cumulative GPA (4.0 Scale) or higher (or equivalent such as 88 on a 100-point scale)
1280 SAT score or higher
1150 PSAT score or higher
26 ACT score or higher
Score 4 or higher on any AP exam
Total combined IB test scores of 36 or higher
IGCSE Grade A or higher
Top 10% rank in class

A lifetime of benefits for high school, college, and beyond

Apply for scholarships to fund college, engage in leadership events and college recruitment fairs. Expand your horizons with study abroad scholarships and summer programs. Gain real-world skills through internships. Enjoy ongoing scholarship opportunities and resource discounts during graduate studies. As an NSHSS Lifetime Member, connect with prestigious business partners for a competitive advantage.

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Testimonials

When we ask new members why they decide to join NSHSS, they usually mention the access to scholarships, events and leadership programs as their main motivators. After some time, the benefit our members tell us they appreciate the most about NSHSS is the network and connections they are able to make with other young scholars from around the world.

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Fatima Elfakahany
Emory University Class of 2020, Aflac Scholar Award Recipient

"NSHSS has been an excellent support network. It has been an incentive to achieve, a reward for success, and a reminder of excellence. It has given me incredible opportunities for my education and for my own personal growth. I would not have had the same experiences and come out the same person had I not been part of NSHSS."

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Selena Smith
Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Chalfont, PA, NSHSS Ambassador

"I first joined NSHSS because I thought it would look good on my college application, but I soon learned that this organization provides so much more than another honor society to add to the list. The numerous webinars NSHSS offers cover almost every subject applicable to high school students like me. After being selected as an Ambassador, I was able to step into a leadership role by doing social media takeovers and joining a community of other like-minded students. Eventually, I received the Ambassadors of NSHSS Scholarship and got to speak in a webinar about my experience. My status as a scholarship recipient also allowed me to attend the Scholar's Day DC event. This was an unforgettable experience for me, as I learned from professionals, met new friends, and served as a panelist for a workshop about scholarship tips. In short, I wouldn't have had any of these unique opportunities if I hadn't joined NSHSS. The experiences, leadership positions, and friends I made all resulted from my decision to accept my invitation. For these reasons, joining NSHSS was a decision I will never regret."

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Isaiah Gregory
Baltimore Design School, Baltimore, MD

"As a member of NSHSS and Ambassador, I’ve come to understand that NSHSS provides endless opportunities for anyone who joins the organization. They offer a wide range of scholarships and materials that not only support you in your academic journey but also in your overall personal and professional growth. Being a part of NSHSS means gaining access to a vast network of like-minded individuals, mentors, and experts who can help guide you toward success. You’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful collaborations, participate in leadership programs, and attend events that can broaden your horizons and expose you to new perspectives. Furthermore, NSHSS strives to foster an environment of excellence, empowering you to impact your community positively. NSHSS provides resources to develop your leadership skills, promote community service opportunities, and encourage you to be an active participant in shaping the future. Their scholarships are designed to recognize and award outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and community involvement. Applying for these scholarships increases your chances of receiving financial aid that can immensely support your educational journey. Overall, NSHSS is dedicated to providing resources, guidance, and opportunities for its members to excel and make a difference in the world. So, as a new member, you can expect a wealth of support and potential for growth. Embrace the endless possibilities that NSHSS has to offer, and make the most of the opportunities that come your way."

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Andrea Manjaka
George M Steinbrenner High School, Lutz, FL, NSHSS Ambassador

"NSHSS is SO worth joining. One of the reasons is the amazing opportunities such as webinars, college opportunities, community service, and more! These opportunities and activities make you excited to learn and look forward to the future."

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Charlotte Nebbeling
Martin County High School, Stuart, FL, NSHSS Ambassador

"NSHSS is worth joining because you get many opportunities to improve our community. I have enjoyed getting opportunities to grow my leadership skills and build relationships with my community outside of school."

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Trinity Johnson
Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, GA, NSHSS Ambassador

I’m a student ambassador and member of this organization and I absolutely love it ! It is so full of opportunities within college and your future careers.

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Helena Coloma
Harvard University, NSHSS Student Council VP, STEM Innovation in Artificial Intelligence Scholarship Recipient

NSHSS provides its members with career/college workshops and scholarship opportunities of various areas for entrepreneurship, STEM, arts, etc. I received both scholarship money for college and became a member of the official NSHSS Student Council team soon after accepting my invitation!

Membership perks

NSHSS partners and affiliates extend exclusive discounts to NSHSS members and their families. NSHSS works with top universities and organizations that provide scholarships, college prep, financial aid assistance, volunteer information, meaningful employment, and more, to extend resources throughout the lifetime membership of our NSHSS scholars. Be sure to check back frequently for more discounts and resources to be listed!

Method Learning provides online tutoring and test prep programs worldwide, helping students achieve significant score improvements in SAT and ACT exams.

NSHSS partners with College Aid Pro, offering families access to CAP's technology and expert college planning. MyCAP platform enables easy financial planning for college.

United Planet is a nonprofit organization connecting volunteers with communities in 20+ countries for immersive experiences and meaningful impact.

SMARTTRACK® provides free access to licensed College Funding Advisors for members, helping lower college costs and maximize opportunities through strategic financial decisions.

Explore medicine with Virtual Clinical Education from MedSchoolCoach. Shadow real physicians across dozens of medical specialties for free and earn certification. Start shadowing today!

MathChops is the recommended online math test prep program for perfect scores. It adapts to each student, covers ACT and SAT math skills, and only requires 15 minutes per day.

Outward Bound Costa Rica offers adventure-based learning since 1994, inspiring leadership and personal growth through exploration of natural wonders in Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua.

Liberty University in Virginia offers 300+ programs of study on a large campus. Students are empowered academically and personally, driving change and inspiring each other to be extraordinary.

Enhance your resume and gain practical experience with The Intern Group. They offer internship programs worldwide, including virtual options, to help you grow your network and build your career.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a nonprofit zoo in Tampa, Florida, focusing on wildlife conservation and offering unique animal encounters for visitors.

NSHSS Membership FAQS

NSHSS works directly with educators and educational organizations to identify students who may qualify. Students who we believe are qualified may be selected to receive an invitation. Members must be a student in high school and must meet ANY ONE of the criteria below:

  • 3.5 Cumulative GPA (4.0 Scale) or higher (or equivalent such as 88 on a 100-point scale)
  • 1280 SAT score or higher
  • 1150 PSAT score or higher
  • 26 ACT score or higher
  • Score 4 or higher on any AP exam
  • Total combined IB test scores of 36 or higher
  • IGSCE Grade A or higher
  • Top 10% rank in class

Qualified students who have been identified as meeting at least one NSHSS eligibility requirement may receive an invitation letter from the Society. You must be selected for membership to join the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).

Once you receive your invitation, you can join online by accepting your invitation on our website: www.nshss.org/join. If you received your invitation by mail, you also have the option to join by mailing your confirmation card to the address listed on the card.

NSHSS: High school students join for life. 2M+ scholars from 170 countries. Academic excellence, ethical action, service leadership. Diverse: 45% multilingual, various races/ethnicities. 24% first-gen college attendees.

NSHSS members will continue to enjoy the benefits of membership into their college years and beyond. After high school, members are still able to apply for scholarships, internships, and study abroad opportunities. NSHSS college members also have the opportunity to participate in unique events such as the festivities surrounding the Nobel Prize awards in Stockholm, Sweden.

As a new member, you will receive a welcome email immediately and membership kit within 15 business days after accepting your invitation. These materials will include:

  • Your personalized certificate of membership
  • A welcome letter from NSHSS with your membership ID number
  • A press release that announces your membership in the Society
  • Information about your benefits and how you can apply for scholarships
  • Information from NSHSS partners and programs
  • Free tassel drop (a $15 value gold nickel-sized in shape to be worn on the tassel of the graduation cap, provided by the school)
  • Scholar sticker to proudly display NSHSS membership