How to Apply for an NSHSS Scholarship: A Complete Guide

Financing college is a scary prospect. As tuition keeps increasing, many families aren’t able to pay the full price out of pocket. This is where scholarships come in and NSHSS is one of the bigger names out there.

More than 2.5 million dollars in scholarships are given every year by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). These funds are allocated to various students who study music, STEM and leadership. If you would like a chance to get some of that funding, you need to understand how it works.

This guide describes the entire process step by step spanning what is NSHSS, the scholarships they offer, how to apply, and what happens after hitting submit.

What Is NSHSS?

NSHSS stands for the National Society of High School Scholars. It started in 2002 and since then it’s grown into one of the largest academic honor societies in the world. At present, it has members in over 26,000 high schools in 170 nations.

It’s important to know upfront that NSHSS is membership-based. Often, students get invited to join based on grades or leadership record. Should you be lucky enough to join, you will gain access to scholarships and a large network of excellent alumni.

Some NSHSS scholarships are open to anyone. Others are for members only. What’s the difference you wonder? Join in as we cover those below.

What Scholarships Does NSHSS Offer?

NSHSS doesn’t just hand out one big scholarship. They run dozens of programs throughout the year, and new ones open and close on a rolling basis. The categories cover a wide range of interests, including:

Academic excellence
Entrepreneurship
Leadership
Literature
Medicine
Music
STEM
Sustainability
Visual arts

Some scholarships also target specific groups of students. For example:

NSHSS First Generation Scholarship is reserved for students who will be the first in their family to attend college. The award amount is worth $1,000.
Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship for high school female seniors. The award amount is up to $1,000.
NSHSS Diversity Scholarship for NSHSS members in their sophomore, junior, or senior year. Award: $2,000.

Just remember that you can only win one NSHSS scholarship per calendar year and that’s even if you apply to several. So it’s smart to apply for the ones that fit you best instead of applying to everything.

Who Can Apply?

Not everyone fits NSHSS requirements. This is why it’s best to affirm you’re actually eligible before filling out a single form field. Here’s what makes you eligible:

Membership status. Some scholarships are open to all students while others are members-only.
Academic year. Each scholarship targets a specific group like high school freshmen, seniors, or college students.
Subject focus. Some scholarships want students in a specific field, like STEM or the arts.

Fortunately, if you live outside the United States, NSHSS likely welcomes you too. Remember to simply check their country eligibility rules for whichever scholarship you’re interested in.

How to Apply, Step by Step

This is the part most students want to know. Here’s exactly what to do, from start to finish.

Step 1: Explore open scholarships.

Visit the NSHSS scholarships page and check what is open now. Because the programs are rotated every year, it is best to check back often. Don’t wait for your own perfect match. Instead, apply for all programs you are qualified for.

Step 2: Review the eligibility requirements.

Each scholarship comes with its fine print and be sure to read it. Check what academic year it’s aimed at and whether it wants a specific subject focus.

Step 3: Gather your documents.

These same core materials are requested by most applications:

An official or unofficial transcript (only one is needed)
A resume
A professional headshot
One or two educator recommendation letters
A personal essay

The good news is that after you upload these, you can use them for other NSHSS scholarships. There’s no need to submit your transcript or resume each time.

Step 4: Write your personal essay.

Keep to the required word count. When the application specifies a word count, do not exceed it. Additionally, go over your write-up as many times as you can manage. This is because you’re competing with some of the best students around the world and small spelling with grammar mistakes can easily disqualify your application. Remember to be yourself in the essay, and not some robotic AI slop judges are way too accustomed to nowadays.

Step 5: Line up your recommendation letter.

Ask your teacher to write you a recommendation at least three weeks before the application window closes. As you’re most likely aware, teachers are often busy implying rushing them isn’t in your interests. So, approach them when you still have lots of time and pick a teacher who really knows your work in that subject.

Step 6: Submit online.

Lastly, head to the NSHSS SurveyMonkey Apply portal to submit. You cannot return back to edit answers after clicking submit. So make sure to cover your submissions appropriately before clicking submit. Once your application goes through, the system automatically forwards you a confirmation mail. In case you see none, check your spam folder or contact NSHSS.

Tips to Boost Your Chances

Getting a scholarship isn’t just luck. There are a few tweaks you can introduce that will beat the competition.

First off, Begin early, you know, as early as freshman year. The sooner you begin looking for scholarships, the more of them you will catch before their deadlines.

Apply to multiple positions. You can apply for all NSHSS scholarships you are eligible for. As long as you’re actually qualified for each of the opportunities, apply to them all.

Customize each application. Never reuse the same generic essay for every scholarship. Adapt your responses to what each program is actually seeking.

Compose a strong CV. Write down your grades, awards, leadership positions, and volunteer work. If you’re taking honors, AP, or IB courses, use your weighted GPA. If that doesn’t apply, then use your unweighted GPA. Don’t use anything from before high school unless it’s something awesome like a national win.

Choose the correct recommender. For the best results, a recommendation letter should come from someone who can comment on your strengths in that area.

What Happens After You Apply

After submitting, you have to wait. Expect the following.

The reviewing process of applications begins after scholarship closing only. Most students hear back about 6-8 weeks after the deadline.
The results are sent via email to the address you used to create your application, so please ensure that’s an inbox you actually check.
If you are in high school and a senior or attend a college, the money goes directly to your school once you sign up. If you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, the money comes directly to you after filling out a W-9 tax form.

If you are taking a gap year, you must inform the scholarship administrator and provide them with the timeline of when you plan to enroll. Never skip this step to keep your award on track.

Quick FAQ

Am I eligible to apply for multiple NSHSS scholarships?

Sure, you can apply for as many times as you like. Though you can only win one per year.

What time is the deadline?

11:59 PM EST on the listed deadline date.

Can I fix a typo after I submit?

No. Once the deadline passes, edits aren’t allowed. Proofread before you hit submit.

Can I use the scholarship money at any school?

Yes. As long your university of choice holds recognised accreditation, you’ll be able to fund your study with the scholarship funds.

Are there scholarships for minority or first-generation students?

Yes. The NSHSS provides numerous, such as the First Generation Scholarship, Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship, and the Diversity Scholarship.

Final Thoughts

NSHSS scholarships could ease your study burdens by a large extent. However, you stand a chance of clinching them only when you apply for them.

Putting together a good application does take work. You have to gather relevant documents and write a good essay. Afterwards, you also need to submit your recommendation letter in on time. Fortunately, none of these things are difficult. Just follow the steps and give yourself a healthy amount of time before each deadline.

We recommend that you keep checking this page or the NSHSS scholarships page often. This is because new programs open throughout the year. The earlier you start, the greater the chances you have of moving away with money for college.