Benefits of Participating in the National Honor Society

One of middle and high school's better-known "clubs" is the National Honor Society (NHS). Membership isn't impossible to achieve, as some might think, but it does require hard work and dedication to gain an invitation. NHS requirements vary from chapter to chapter. You must meet a minimum GPA and other standards for consideration. Many chapters require submitting an essay and letters of recommendation from a teacher or two. But if you're accepted, membership is worth the effort — not just for college applications but for the skills you’ll learn.

This article covers the following topics:

• What's the National Honor Society?
• What's the National Junior Honor Society?
• National Honor Society requirements
• National Honor Society benefits
• National Honor Society Scholarship
• Is the National Honor Society Worth joining?
• National Honor Society FAQ

Have more questions about National Honor Society requirements or college admissions? Check out TeenLife's Guide to College Admissions!

What is the National Honor Society?

Since its inception in 1921, NHS has been the leading organization for recognizing high school students' academic achievements. Prior to its creation, local communities had their own educational organizations — but none that united students and educators nationwide. By 1930, the NHS grew from one school to over 1,000 chapters, thanks to the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, a principal in Pittsburgh, PA.

Over 100 years later, more than 1 million students in 50 states, multiple U.S. territories, and Canada are members. NHS formally recognizes and celebrates its members' academic excellence; many students strive to remain members throughout their high school careers.

What is the National Junior Honor Society?

The National Honor Society has a number of ancillary and secondary organizations under its banner, including the National Elementary Honor Society, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the National Student Council, but its most popular organization? The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). 

The National Association of Secondary School Principals created this organization eight years after establishing NHS. The NJHS mission: "to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; to encourage responsible citizenship; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools."

National Honor Society requirements

All chapters follow specific national standards based on four pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Each chapter must publish its qualifications for membership — based on these four pillars.

• Scholarship
  Per National Honor Society requirement guidelines, students must have a cumulative GPA of 85, B, a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or meet an equivalent standard of excellence. Each school chapter may require a higher cumulative GPA. Here's a quick breakdown of the current NHS requirements, according to its website.
• Service
  This component requires students to contribute/volunteer within their school or community.
• Leadership
  Student leaders demonstrate resourcefulness and good problem-solving skills and contribute ideas. They may gain leadership experiences from school or community activities while working with or for others.
• Character
  The student of good character is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

The NHS defines its scholarship pillars fairly strictly. While the remaining pillars are less easy to define or quantify, students applying for membership are asked to provide information on their volunteer work and leadership roles they hold and provide examples — often through letters of recommendation —  of their character.

Each chapter uses these national standards as guidelines for each chapter. Some chapters may require a higher cumulative GPA or have a minimum number of service hours students must complete to maintain their eligibility. Each chapter must publish its selection requirements to ensure clarity for anyone completing the application. If you do have questions about the requirements, ask the faculty member serving as your chapter's advisor.

National Honor Society benefits

NHS members have opportunities to positively influence their schools and communities through service projects. You'll complete these projects as a team within your chapter or individually. Colleges often look for service leadership in applications, so your participation makes you a strong candidate on your app.

Membership standards provide the motivation for maintaining a high GPA (and NHS eligibility). NHS membership can enhance your college application and potentially increase your chances of acceptance into college. But that's not the only benefit of NHS membership. You'll also gain resources and help in completing a college application and access to other financial aid options. For example, you can apply to the NHS scholarship program, which can help fund your college education if you qualify. 

NHS offers various leadership training opportunities only available to members. For example, the organization participates in National Student Leadership Week each year. Its purpose? Recognizing and supporting the vital role of student leaders. Each year, select students participate in the the NHS Conference, a two-day conference of immersive learning about topics like leadership & character, scholarship, student voice & service, and citizenship & engagement.

National Honor Society scholarship

The NHS awards $2 million in scholarships to 600 students every year. Since 1946, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has awarded scholarships worth over $25 million to outstanding NHS seniors. Eligibility requirements include:

• Active membership in good standing in the local NHS chapter
• An NHS student account holder
• Plans to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university

The awards include:

• $3,200 to each of the 575 National Semifinalists
• $5,625 (and an all-expense paid trip to DC for Trailblazing Leadership Week) to 24 National Finalists
• $25,000 (and an all-expense paid trip to DC for Trailblazing Leadership Week) to 1 National Finalist

To apply for the NHS scholarship, create an account on the association's official website, verify your identity, and complete and submit an application. The NHS application opens in mid-September and typically closes on or about November 30. The organization announces recipients between February and March, and the top finalists travel to D.C. in April.

Is joining NHS worth it?

Being a member of NHS has many advantages whenever you join — even if it's your senior year. The members-only resources and leadership development opportunities, like the College and Career Readiness Series, are fantastic resources. Your participation in service projects will enhance your college applications and resume while you contribute to an organization whose individual chapters contribute an average of 1,000 hours of school/community service, collect $26,000 in charitable donations, give 1,000 pounds of food to local, state, and national causes, and donate 100 pints of blood each year.

National Honor Society FAQ

Have more questions about the NHS or NJHS requirements? Check out these FAQs.

Are there deadlines to apply for the NHS?

Each chapter sets its application deadlines. Sophomores, juniors or seniors are eligible for NHS membership. Middle school students and high school freshmen can apply for NJHS if their school has a chapter. High school freshmen can also ask about application requirements and deadlines because it’s never too early to learn about the NHS.

If my school doesn't have an NHS chapter, can I apply to one at a different school?

If your school lacks an active NHS chapter, look into renewing the chapter or requesting a chapter be established. You’ll need a faculty member to serve as the chapter advisor and submit the chapter application. Also, each school has a five-member faculty council that reviews the membership applications and selects the students. Annual chapter dues are $385. Some schools incorporate this cost into their annual budget; other schools require students to fundraise to pay for the fee. 

If you successfully start an NHS chapter at your school, include this accomplishment on your resume and college apps because it shows initiative and commitment — two qualities colleges value in their applicants.

I’m homeschooled. Can I join an NHS at my home high school?

Yes! Check out the National Homeschool Honor Society for details about eligibility.  

How can I make the most of my NHS membership?

To maximize your NHS experience, take advantage of various opportunities and resources.

• Engage in service projects hosted by your chapter.
• Create your own service opportunities to give back to your community.
• Set goals beyond minimum membership status requirements —  like striving for straight As or a specific GPA.
• Attend at least one national conference for leadership development and networking.
• Cultivate good time management skills to excel academically and elsewhere.

Can I include NHS membership on my resume?

Absolutely! Whether or not you attend college, adding your NHS experience enhances your resume, especially if you lack work experience. While volunteer work doesn't offer financial compensation, it pays in other ways: you show initiative and commitment — two character traits colleges and employers value. 

What if I'm not accepted?

If you aren’t selected as a member of your local NHS chapter, you may appeal the final decision. Ask the advisor about the chapter’s appeal process. If your appeal falls short, ask the council for feedback on improving your application for the next year.

What can I do to increase my chances of acceptance into NHS during the next school year?

To prepare for the following year’s application period, understand all the standards your chapter requires for membership. Create and implement a plan to meet those requirements — and work toward your goal throughout the entire year so that when applications open again, you’re not struggling to tie up loose ends that can compromise your application.

Ask the leadership of your NHS chapter or the faculty advisor if you can participate in service projects that don’t require membership. Participating in service work shows your dedication more than providing information on a written application. Those evaluating potential members will see your leadership, service, and character in action.