The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) provides a wide range of opportunities that align with your journey from high school to college to career. In addition to awarding more than $2.5 million in scholarships to qualified applicants each year, NSHSS and our partners offer internships, study abroad, summer programs, discounts on educational services, and more.
Check out our scholarships for strong leaders, academics, science smarties, and more.
NSHSS member events celebrate achievements, honor members and scholarship recipients, and embody the spirit of learning and networking in a dynamic setting.
Our webinars can help keep you focused on the future. See what is coming up, there is something for everyone!
"There is a special place in my heart for encouraging and recognizing the youth of the world.” -- Claes Nobel, member of the Nobel Prize family and co-founder of NSHSS
"I have a deep appreciation for NSHSS due to the incredible opportunities it offers. Participating in an Instagram Takeover and being a panelist, sharing insights on winning scholarships, was an enriching experience. The chance to connect with like-minded individuals through networking has been invaluable, and I'm especially grateful for the scholarships I've been fortunate to receive. These scholarships are instrumental in helping me pursue my dream of graduating college without accumulating debt. I applaud NSHSS for its commitment to investing in the futures of students across the nation, including mine."
"Being a part of the NSHSS has allowed me to make friends and connect with others in ways I never could’ve imagined. Being able to talk with kids like me about the things we are passionate about, even if they’re across the U.S., is something I would’ve never had without this organization. I’ve been able to work with so many amazing people, and have been given so many incredible opportunities to share my passions and to advance ahead of my peers. Amazing community of likeminded individuals, and support like no other."
"I want to thank the NSHSS for the support it has always given me. I have been part of this Society since my junior year in high school. I started as a general member then became an ambassador my senior year of high school and now I am part of the Collegiate Council. I can not thank the NSHSS enough for all the good it has contributed to my education and success."
"NSHSS is worth joining because it helps you so much with college, scholarships, and meeting other students and people that have the same focus, dream and work hard as you do. It also opens a big variety of different and important opportunities as a student."
"NSHSS is an amazing organization! It has helped me through my college picking process! It is aiding me in becoming my most authentic self while making friends! Their Ambassador program allows so many more opportunities readily available to me. I am eternally grateful to be part of this high achieving organization."
"NSHSS is amazing! I am proud to be surrounded by so many intelligent and ambitious peers. I have learned new leadership skills and how to improve as a person. I would definitely recommend any high school scholar to join!"
"I’ve been an NSHSS member since October 2023 and just recently got accepted to be an Ambassador! It’s a very exceptional and inspiring community to be a part of. NSHSS has so many amazing benefits and opportunities such as scholarships, workshops/meetings, and who doesn’t love discounts? I love the fact that they are able to bring students and people in general within this society together no matter the race, no matter the gender. Whether it’s online or in person meet and greets! There is something for everyone to receive from this community even if it’s just insight! I’m very grateful to be a part of this wonderful society and I believe you will too!"
"NSHSS has been an invaluable part of my high school journey. Their commitment to recognizing and supporting high-achieving students has given me opportunities I am truly grateful for. Being a member has allowed me to connect with fellow scholars, access resources that have enhanced my learning, and engage in meaningful community service projects. NSHSS has not only celebrated academic excellence but also fostered personal growth and leadership skills. I'm thankful for the doors it has opened and the friendships I've made through this community."
"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."
Hear what some of our scholarship winners, corporate leaders, educators and the highest-achieving students have to say about what membership in NSHSS means to them and their futures. Membership is by invitation only to those students who have achieved at least one of our rigorous academic criteria. NSHSS has much to offer a high-achieving student looking for a way to make an impact in their school, community, and the world.
Each of these past winners received a $10,000 grant from NSHSS to help fund their world betterment initiatives. Read their stories below.
Sumedha "Sumi" Katakam is the Chief Executive Officer at ASK Solar LLC. From a young age, Sumi has been passionate about using STEM to impact people's lives positively. Sumi's love for STEM has guided her endeavors, and she now leads ASK with a strong focus on sustainability and financial efficiency. With a deep understanding of the solar industry's challenges, Sumi uses her engineering and leadership expertise to drive ASK towards a more sustainable future.
Andrew Watters received the top prize of $10,000 through the NSHSS Be More Fund Grant for his Integrated Precision Input and Accessibility Initiative (IPIAI). This project focuses on developing innovative solutions like the EZ3 trackball controller and Radial Based Texting (RBT) to improve accessibility in gaming and digital communication for individuals with disabilities.
Driven by a passion for technology and inclusivity, Andrew is dedicated to creating tools that empower users and enhance their ability to interact with digital environments. His work reflects a commitment to innovation and making technology accessible to all.
Ariyan Patel is a passionate problem-solver and visionary leader driven by a relentless desire to confront global challenges through innovation and public service. As a legislative intern at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he works alongside Congress and top agency leaders, actively supporting transformative healthcare policy. Ariyan’s goals to address inequality with innovation are encapsulated in his startup Pathlight, an AI-powered navigation tool he and two friends are developing to empower blind individuals that have garnered attention from PennState’s LionCage, The Diamond Challenge, The Conrad and Houston Space Center, and NSHSS for its unique emphasis on social accessibility.
Ariyan’s leadership thrives in service. He is a Yale Young Global Scholar (Solving Global Challenges) and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) alumnus. He channels his passion for volunteerism through his board position on the International Youth Advisory Board for the Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC), in which he represents over 300,000 volunteers globally. In these roles, he leverages his value of perspective and consensus to lead youth-driven initiatives that inspire collective action and foster lasting social change.
Ariyan’s experiences and positions deepen his understanding of complex international issues. They are the premise for his ambitions to one day serve in Congress, where he plans to craft policies that unite and impact worldwide.
Victor Young is a passionate high school student dedicated to solving real-world community issues. He gained invaluable insights into fire emergencies and rescue operations through interviews and site visits with numerous firefighters. Deeply concerned about the safety of firefighters, Victor developed FlameFender, an AI-powered assistant designed to be a trusted partner for professional firefighters. His innovative work reflects a strong sense of responsibility toward community safety and showcases his exceptional potential in technology and problem-solving
Rony Korab is a founding tutor and board member of Connect Me Tutoring, a nonprofit organization providing free, online tutoring to students worldwide. He is a senior at Churchill High School in Livonia, Michigan, where he serves as President of the Math National Honor Society (Mu Alpha Theta), Vice President of the National Honor Society, and an Executive Board member of the National English Honor Society.
Rony is deeply committed to both his school and community. He is a lead programmer and strategist for his school's robotics team and holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. Beyond school, Rony is an active member of the Rotary Club, frequently volunteers at meal-packing events and senior homes, and continues to make education accessible through Connect Me Tutoring.
Founded in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Connect Me Tutoring has grown into a global initiative, helping students achieve academic success through personalized, virtual tutoring. With the support of the Be More Grant, Connect Me aims to expand its mission of reaching as many students as possible, one child at a time!
Sebastian Tan is the founder and CEO of OutsideConnection, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to empowering previously incarcerated individuals by connecting them with meaningful job opportunities. Recognized as the first reentry-focused job site sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, OutsideConnection has transformed the landscape of reentry support across the nation. Sebastian’s work emphasizes the importance of second chances and equity, creating pathways for reentrants to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities. His leadership and vision have earned recognition from organizations like NASDAQ and The TODAY Show, highlighting his commitment to social impact and innovation.
Ariana Chaudhary is the founder and CEO of Access to Specialist Knowledge (ASK) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to elevating global healthcare equity by connecting healthcare workers in over 30 clinics across South America, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa to medical specialists in the U.S. through e-consultations. With over 27,000 cases solved and medical services valued at over $2.25 million as of 2024, Ariana strives to build a world where healthcare is a basic human right, accessible to all irrespective where they live.
Through ASK, Ariana also leads preventative health and vital screenings for immigrant and low-income communities throughout Texas, has connected schools in Uganda with $43,000 worth of technology and tailored educational videos to increase rates of sustainable, healthcare careers, researches the effects of local herbal medicine on mortality rates throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, has provided guidance and distributed locations of testing sites and information from the Uganda Ministry of Health and WHO during the Ebola and COVID outbreaks, and is the editor-in-chief of a seasonal journal publication centered on science-based social issues as the president of the CDC Youth Advisory Council.
NSHSS’s $10,000 Be More Grant will enable her to sustainably launch multiple two-day health camps across the warring eastern front of the Democratic Republic of Congo, breaking through barriers to health equity and bringing care to those who need it most.
Grace C. Liu is recognized globally as a youth researcher, advocate, advisor, and changemaker for promoting STEM, gender and education equity, and sustainable development. She has successfully worked on 16 projects, published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, and a sole-authored book, Research to Empower: A Vibrant Guidebook for Young Students, before turning 15. Grace has inspired students from over 140 countries as a highlighted speaker at prominent organizations, including the United Nations, the International Telecommunication Union, the Society of Women Engineers, TEDx, and the National Youth Leadership Council.
Grace founded Research to Empower (ReTE), a nonprofit empowering young researchers and making research education accessible and enjoyable, focusing on underrepresented students and communities.
Grace is a World Science Scholar and serves as a Youth Advisory Council Mentor of the National Youth Leadership Council, and the Technology Focal Point of the Major Group for Children and Youth (representing over 1 billion youth). An active community volunteer, Grace has received the Evan Dalgaard National Leadership Award, the Daily Point of Light Award, and the US President's Volunteer Service Gold Award. She is also the Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge 2nd Prize Winner and a Riley’s Way Call for Kindness Fellow.
Reuben, now 18, was recognized as a child prodigy by Microsoft Network in 2014 for his exceptional hacking skills at just 8 years old. Over the past decade, he has delivered over 30 keynotes on cybersecurity topics, often with live hacking demonstrations. Inspired by letters from kids worldwide eager to learn, Reuben founded CyberShaolin, a nonprofit dedicated to making cybersecurity education free and accessible. He has empowered thousands of kids and adults to navigate the digital world safely through engaging videos and hands-on labs.
In high school, Reuben combined his love for technology and innovation to create Notifeye, an AI-powered driver safety device. Leading his team to win national pitch competitions, he earned recognition as the Texas Business Hall of Fame’s 2023 Outstanding High School Entrepreneur. Now, Reuben is entering a new chapter as a freshman at the University of Texas, Austin, studying business at the McCombs School. He serves in a leadership position on the Board of a premier finance organization - the University Securities Investment Team (USIT), as the Marketing Chair. He aims to blend tech and business knowledge to fuel his future ventures.
Reuben is a former competitive gymnast and 3rd-degree Shaolin Kung Fu black belt.
Kendra is a first-year engineering student at McMaster University with a longstanding passion for STEM. Throughout high school, she was active in two robotics teams, self-taught coding, enjoyed tinkering, and taught STEM to children. She's also a tennis athlete, started playing when she was seven, became a competitive player then a coach. Now, she's on the McMaster University tennis varsity team.
In June 2023, during a high school province-wide tennis tournament, Kendra experienced the impact of Quebec's wildfires on Ontario's air quality despite the absence of smoke and odor. She noticed varying effects on her mother, coach, and herself. Shortly after, she read about the death of a child in BC due to air quality from wildfires. That fall 2023, she started developing Port-AM, a portable, affordable, and personalized air quality monitor for outdoors and wildfires.
Port-AM has earned six awards at a regional science fair and a national award in the health and well-being category. Recently, Kendra was selected for a competitive health innovation hub at McMaster University for health innovators, where she'll receive support to develop Port-AM. She's committed to bringing Port-AM to market in the coming years. Be More Grant is helping to turn her vision into reality.
