A 2020 survey revealed that 58% of American families used scholarships to help pay for college. If you’re in high school and trying to figure out how to afford college, scholarships are a great place to start. There are around 1.7 million private scholarships out there, and that’s a lot of chances to get free money for school! Some organizations, like the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), even have scholarships just for their members. It’s definitely worth checking out!
In this blog, we’ll explore how scholarships can make college more affordable and highlight the opportunities available through organizations like NSHSS. You’ll learn about different types of scholarships, what makes NSHSS a valuable resource, and tips for applying successfully.
- Types of Scholarships NSHSS Offers
- How to Apply for an NSHSS Scholarship
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Types of Scholarships NSHSS Offers
The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a prestigious organization that got its start in 2002, co-founded by Claes Nobel—yep, he’s part of the Nobel Prize family. NSHSS is all about helping you succeed, offering programs, resources, and opportunities to guide you through high school, college, and even into your career.
The NSHSS Foundation offers STEM scholarships specifically for underrepresented groups, aiming to make it easier for students like you to afford to pursue a STEM career. If you’ve got academic talent, leadership skills, and a passion for tech or science, these scholarships are designed to help you reach your goals. The idea is simple: to build a more diverse tech workforce, we need to support a more diverse group of students in STEM fields.
Here is a comprehensive list of these scholarships:
- NSHSS Foundation Scholarship
- NHSSS-DECA Scholarship
- NSHSS STEAM Scholarship
- NSHSS First Generation Scholarship
- NSHSS Innovation in Technology Scholarship
- NSHSS 18 Under 18 Award
- NSHSS College Freshman Scholarship
- Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship
Let’s take a closer look at these scholarships:
| NSHSS Foundation Scholarship |
| The NSHSS Foundation offers scholarships to help ease the financial challenges of students like you who are gearing up for careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), business, economics, public policy, or environmental science and sustainability. These scholarships are all about supporting future leaders who will drive the global economy, spark innovation and creativity, and make ethical decisions that truly make a difference.
Here are the different scholarships under the NSHSS Foundation: |
| NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (one recipient)
Application opening: April 2, 2024 Application deadline: October 3, 2024 Eligibility: A recent high school grad (Class of 2024) with a GPA of at least 3.5 and a passion for STEM; for students planning to major in—or pursue a degree in—fields like these (or related areas): Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering; Biosciences, Pre-med, or health-related fields; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences; Computer and Computational Sciences (including Statistics and Accounting); Electrical Engineering; Geosciences; Information Sciences; Materials Science and Engineering; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering; Nuclear Engineering ; Oceanography; Operations Research; Physics; and Teaching STEM subjects Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS Foundation Business & Public Policy Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (one recipient)
Application opening: March 7, 2024 Application deadline: August 15, 2024 Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in 2024 or incoming college freshmen with at least a 3.5 GPA and planning to major in—or a closely related field to—one of these areas: Business/Business Administration; Finance/Economics; Public Policy Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS Foundation Earth Day Award |
| Award: $500 (ten recipients)
Application opening: November 6, 2023 Application deadline: March 21, 2024 Eligibility: High school students with at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. Both U.S. and international students are welcome! Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS Foundation Logistics & Supply Chain Management Scholarship |
| Award: $1500 (two recipients)
Application opening: May 20, 2024 Application deadline: September 30, 2024 Eligibility: High school seniors and college students Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS Foundation Bridge to Opportunity Scholarship |
| Award: $1500 (five recipients; renewable for up to two years)
Application opening: May 15, 2024 Application deadline: August 5, 2024 Eligibility: College juniors and seniors Scholarship requirements:
|
| NHSSS-DECA Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (ten recipients)
Application opening: November 19, 2024 Application deadline: January 10, 2025 Eligibility: High school junior or senior and a DECA member planning to major in marketing, finance, hospitality, or business in college; both U.S. and international students are welcome to apply. Scholarship requirements:
Note: Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the college or university you enroll in. DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an international student organization that prepares high school and college students for careers in business, marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. |
| NSHSS STEAM Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (ten recipients)
Application opening: November 4, 2024 Application deadline: March 13, 2025 Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in 2025 who are NSHSS members and planning to major in a STEAM field—science, medicine, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics—are eligible to apply. Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS First Generation Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (two recipients)
Application opening: November 19, 2024 Application deadline: March 20, 2025 Eligibility: First-generation students who are high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible to apply. Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS Innovation in Technology Scholarship |
| Award: $2000 (three recipients)
Application opening: November 11, 2024 Application deadline: March 20, 2025 Eligibility: High school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible to apply. Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS 18 Under 18 Award |
| Award: $1000 (18 recipients)
Application opening: November 12, 2024 Application deadline: March 20, 2025 Eligibility: NSHSS members who will still be under 18 as of June 1, 2025 Scholarship requirements:
|
| NSHSS College Freshman Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (two recipients)
Application opening: November 4, 2024 Application deadline: April 3, 2025 Eligibility: NSHSS members who are college freshmen and will be in their first semester of college as of August 15, 2024 Scholarship requirements:
|
| Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship |
| Award: $1000 (eight recipients)
Application opening: November 11, 2024 Application deadline: April 3, 2025 Eligibility: High school senior girls with a GPA of 3.5 or above Scholarship requirements:
|
How to Apply for an NSHSS Scholarship
Applying for an NSHSS scholarship is straightforward, but it’s important to stay organized and meet all the requirements. Here’s how you can apply:
- Log in to your account. Head to the NSHSS website and log in using your member ID and password.
- Explore scholarships. Go to the scholarship section to check out all available opportunities.
- Choose a scholarship. Pick the one that aligns with your goals and interests, then click the “Apply” button.
- Complete the application form. Share details about your academic achievements, extracurriculars, and community involvement.
- Write your essay. Respond to the specific prompt for the scholarship you’re applying for. Be thoughtful and authentic in your response.
- Get recommendation letters. Reach out to teachers, counselors, or mentors who can vouch for your academic success and character.
- Submit your application. Make sure to turn everything in before the deadline!
Before choosing a scholarship, consider these first:
- Each scholarship has its eligibility requirements and deadlines, so read the details carefully before starting.
- Give yourself plenty of time to write your essay, request recommendation letters, and gather all necessary documents.
- Double-check everything before hitting submit to ensure your application is complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the National Honor Society of High School Scholars?
The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is an international honor society that recognizes and supports high-achieving high school students. It provides members with access to scholarships, educational resources, leadership opportunities, and a global network to help them succeed in academics, college, and future careers.
2. Is the National Society of High School Scholars legit?
Yes, the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a legitimate organization. It was co-founded in 2002 by Claes Nobel, a member of the Nobel Prize family, and recognizes high-achieving students while offering scholarships, resources, and networking opportunities. However, it’s important to research if its membership benefits align with your goals, as opinions on its value vary.
3. How can I become a member of the NSHSS?
NSHSS honors exceptional young scholars who demonstrate academic excellence based on specific criteria. To qualify for membership, students must meet at least one of the following: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent, such as 88 on a 100-point scale); SAT score of 1280 or higher; PSAT score of 1150 or higher; ACT score of 26 or higher; score of 4 or higher on an AP exam; total IB test scores of 36 or higher; IGCSE Grade A or higher; and top 10% class rank.
Takeaways
A college education is expensive. Taking advantage of resources like the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is important.
- NSHSS focuses on increasing diversity in fields like STEM and leadership by providing scholarships such as the NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarship specifically for underrepresented groups.
- Each NSHSS scholarship requires a combination of essays, recommendation letters, transcripts, and sometimes optional media.
- Beyond scholarships, NSHSS membership connects students with valuable resources, leadership opportunities, and a global network.
- Partner with a college admission expert to help you with your scholarship applications.
Eric Eng
About the author
Eric Eng, the Founder and CEO of AdmissionSight, graduated with a BA from Princeton University and has one of the highest track records in the industry of placing students into Ivy League schools and top 10 universities. He has been featured on the US News & World Report for his insights on college admissions.
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