What Is the National Honor Society & Is It Worth It? - The Scholarship System (2024)

Updated on January 4th, 2023

High school students have a lot on their plate, particularly if they want to make sure their college applications stand out. As a result, while most students have heard of the National Honor Society, many may wonder if joining the organization is worthwhile. After all, being a member comes with some long-term requirements, and that may give students pause if they’re already juggling a significant workload.

Did you know that National Honor Society membership can make your student eligible for more scholarships? It’s true. If you and your student want to learn about National Honor Society scholarships and other awards that can help your student graduate debt-free,sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.

However, the benefits of National Honor Society membership make it worth considering. If your student is asking, “Is National Honor Society worth it?” here’s what they need to know.

What Is the National Honor Society?

The National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the merit-based honor societies that recognize students who demonstrate strong academics, leadership, character, and service to their community or school. The organization has been in operation for more than 100 years, and there are chapters in all 50 states, as well as schools in other countries.

The NHS was originally founded by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in 1921. The goal of the organization is to support and empower students, helping them achieve academic success and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Along with support from chapter leaders in a student’s school, NHS members have access to more resources. For example, national leadership conferences assist students with honing critical skills. Additionally, the National Honor Society has scholarship programs to help member students cover the cost of their college education. Workshops, webinars, online communities, resource centers, and more are also available.

What Are the National Honor Society Requirements?

National Honor Society membership requirements are set at the school level. As a result, your student needs to attend a high school with an active NHS chapter to gain entry in most cases. Every chapter must publish an overview of its selection criteria, typically in the student handbook or the school’s website.

The first requirement is typically being in grades 10-12. However, chapter leaders can start examining students once they join the school, so 9^th graders are usually assessed for future membership.

Generally, schools use the four pillars of membership to establish their requirements. These four pillars outline the preferred characteristics of students who become NHS members.

The first pillar is scholarship, which essentially represents academic achievement. Usually, schools outline GPA requirements to assess this area. Based on minimums set by the National Honor Society, the lowest GPA schools can use is 3.0. However, some institutions may opt for a higher GPA.

Next is the service pillar. Typically, this involves voluntary contributions on the student’s part. For example, community service qualifies, though service projects for the school also work.

The third pillar is leadership. In most cases, both school and community leadership activities are considered. For example, leadership activities that are typically celebrated during National Student Leadership Week – such as overseeing clubs, captaining sports teams, and similar roles – qualify. However, classroom experiences where students clearly demonstrate leadership skills can also make them eligible.

Finally, the fourth pillar is character. Generally, this means being respectful, cooperative, honest, and reliable. In some cases, chapters will examine a student’s disciplinary record when evaluating their character, though that isn’t necessarily the only thing being reviewed.

Students have to meet all of the school’s four pillar-based requirements to become members. Along with being assessed by a panel, students may need to complete applications, write essays, create resumes, or complete interviews as part of the selection process.

Once accepted into the National Honor Society, a student must also meet any ongoing requirements. Any obligations are provided to students in writing. Usually, these mandatory activities include attending NHS chapter meetings, assisting with service projects, and continuing to demonstrate the traits outlined in the four pillars.

In some cases, NHS members also pay dues. However, the total cost cannot exceed $20 per year.

Do Colleges Care About NHS Membership?

Finding ways to stand out during the college admissions process is a common goal for students. However, it’s also normal to wonder whether colleges really take NHS membership into consideration.

Generally, being a National Honor Society member does look good on a college application. It’s a demonstration of academic prowess, good character, and a dedication to service, which are all positives to most admissions committees.

However, NHS membership alone isn’t going to guarantee anything. It’s simply one of many factors a college will take into consideration. But being an NHS member will never hurt a student’s application. Since that’s the case, the worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t have a notable impact, but the best-case outcome is that it makes a student a stronger applicant, increasing their odds of being accepted.

Is the National Honor Society Worth Joining?

The National Honor Society does have a lot to offer members. However, being a member means taking on new obligations. As a result, students may wonder if membership is worthwhile or if they’d be fine if they don’t join.

Often, the easiest way to determine whether the National Honor Society is worth joining is by comparing the pros and cons. With that in mind, here’s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of being an NHS member.

What Are the Benefits of Being in the National Honor Society?

Several positives come with being an NHS member. One of the most notable National Honor Society benefits is access to scholarship opportunities. The NHS offers awards that are only available to members, limiting the amount of competition students may face.

In many cases, NHS membership also looks good on college applications. It lets colleges know that the student performs admirably when it comes to academics and service. Plus, it gives them insights into a student’s leadership capabilities and general character, which can make them look like a stronger applicant. Any service projects done through the National Honor Society can further elevate a student’s application, as well as help them boost their resume.

As NHS members, students also have access to resources. LEAD conference attendance is an option students can exercise. Plus, they can tap into information resources designed to help them prepare for the future, including college planning tools that help them handle college admissions and financial aid.

What Are the Drawbacks of Being in the National Honor Society?

Generally, there aren’t many drawbacks to being an NHS member. In most cases, gaining entry is the most cumbersome part, depending on the number of steps required by the local NHS chapter. Completing the required essays, setting up a resume, and going through interviews take time. There’s a lot of preparation involved if students want to ensure they’ll impress, and that isn’t ideal if students are already feeling taxed.

If a student is accepted, ongoing participation is also required. Generally, there aren’t too many projects and meetings at most chapters, though some are more active than others. As a result, students should review the expectations before joining to see if they can commit the necessary time. If not, joining may not be the right move.

How to Join the National Honor Society

If your student wants to join the National Honor Society, the first step they should take is to review any information available in the student handbook or school website. There, they can learn about the requirements, allowing them to self-assess and determine if they’re eligible.

After that, students who qualify should speak with their school’s chapter leader. Along with letting them express an interest, it gives them a chance to ask questions about the application or evaluation process.

At that point, the requirements may vary. Some schools have formal applications, possibly requesting essays and resumes. Others use a more organic approach. Essentially, they consider students, even if they don’t directly apply, and extend offers to those who are eligible.

Once students navigate the assessment and decide to join after getting an offer, they may need to pay dues. As mentioned above, the cost is $20 or less per year, so most students or their families can handle the expense. However, many schools waive the dues for low-income households. If that’s available, the chapter leader can discuss the requirements to secure a waiver.

After that, students simply need to maintain their membership. Along with paying dues every year until graduation, students need to meet the participation requirements. Usually, that means attending meetings and volunteering for projects for a minimum number of hours. Again, the chapter leader can cover what’s necessary, allowing students to plan effectively.

Did you know that National Honor Society membership can make your student eligible for more scholarships? It’s true. If you and your student want to learn about National Honor Society scholarships and other awards that can help your student graduate debt-free,sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.