Scholarships

Take advantage of college scholarship opportunities to help you reach your potential and pay for college, international study abroad, summer programs, and even graduate school.
High school and college scholarships are available to all students in the areas of academic excellence, entrepreneurship, leadership, literature, medicine, music, STEM, sustainability, visual arts, and more.

Congratulations to our scholarship recipients!

Please read below for eligibility requirements along with the appropriate open and close dates for each scholarship. Check out the below programs frequently, as our programs open and close throughout the year. Please note that applicants may not win more than one scholarship per calendar year.

Have questions about scholarships? Check out our FAQ page HERE.

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Help fund your college experience

Leverage scholarships to unlock your potential, fund college, study abroad, summer programs, and graduate school. NSHSS and partners provide $2M+ in annual scholarships. All students can apply for scholarships in various fields like academics, entrepreneurship, leadership, literature, medicine, music, STEM, sustainability, visual arts, and more. Hear from recent winners and discover NSHSS's benefits.

NSHSS Scholarships

No scholarships found.

Tips for applying for Scholarships

Build relationships with educators who can personally vouch for your extracurricular activities, college aspirations, and other interests. Make your resume impressive yet concise, highlighting your top experiences, awards, and leadership roles. Stand out in your personal essay by staying true to yourself and showcasing the positive impact your education will have on your community.

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What recipients are saying

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Helena Coloma
University of California, Berkeley, class of 2022, NSHSS STEM Innovation in AI/Robotics Award

"I would like to sincerely express my gratitude to NSHSS because, with your help, I am able to pursue a higher education. I will be attending University of California, Berkeley, one of the top 20 schools in the nation. I was admitted to one of their hardest and most academically rigorous majors, Biological Sciences. I look forward to pursuing a higher education to achieve my ultimate career goal as a military medical doctor. I also plan to attend the UC Berkeley School of Law to become an attorney as well to work on “pro bono” cases in order to help the overlooked or less fortunate in society. Thank you for this generous scholarship, I am proud to represent NSHSS."

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Emily Wade
Northwest Nazarene University class of 2022, James W. Lewis Entrepreneur Scholarship

"NSHSS has always provided me with opportunities to excel in an academic atmosphere, and allowed me to pursue new routes I would not have otherwise discovered. I am so honored to have received the James W. Lewis Entrepreneur Scholarship, for my cosmetic business idea. By receiving this generous scholarship, I am able to invest into my future of creating a business, and share my dreams with the world. My recommendation to all future scholarship applicants is to ensure that a full effort is put into the application, and that you are very passionate about what you are sharing with the audience."

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Angel Thomas
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University class of 2022, Robert Sheppard Leadership Award

"I hosted a forum for girls who either came out of the foster care system or girls who were struggling with self-harm or self-love, and I talked to them and mentored them along with round table discussions. I personally was found under a stairwell when I was a young child, abandoned at birth. I was bullied a lot as a young child and I wanted to talk to other young girls who went through situations like mine because at one point I was really sad about it but I wanted to show them it was OK. Not only has NSHSS helped me further my education, it has also motivated me to continue my mission."

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Selina Nie
University of Notre Dame class of 2023, Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship

"I am so grateful for these years of NSHSS experiences. I have been awarded a full scholarship to participate as an ambassador in the prestigious Congress-Buderstag Youth Exchange Program funded by the US State Department, and I am studying abroad in Germany, where I am on the way to mastering my fourth language - Deutsche. I am a firm believer that languages are the tool to connect human beings, to expand my world view, and to appreciate cultural diversity. I was selected as a merit scholar at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Computer Science, and will stay committed to community service, which will have a lasting impact on the world."

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Daniel Garcia
Rice University, Class of 2022, Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship

"I believe the National Society of High School Scholars has impacted my life by encouraging me to pursue academic excellence that will eventually culminate in an improvement in global health services. As an aspiring oncologist, I intend to join the research community in their work on stem cell research. I can certainly say that the Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship is an essential contribution to this endeavor. To all potential members, the National Society of High School Scholars will provide you with an unparalleled network of opportunities for global improvement."

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Hadaiya White
Ridge View High School, Washington, DC
CIA STEM Camp Participant

"The CIA STEM Camp was an amazing experience that helped me explore a new career path. Because of the camp, I am now considering becoming an engineer instead of a psychologist. Talking to the staff, especially the engineers, really inspired me! The agency members are all extremely kind and welcoming, they answered all our questions and explained their roles. I recommend applying for the Camp because you’ll meet interesting intelligence officers and network with other students. I was able to make friends from across the country and talk one-on-one with some of the CIA advisors who encouraged me to broaden my horizon. The camp was extraordinary; my thanks to NSHSS and the CIA for allowing me that opportunity."

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Blake Carter
Naples High School, FL
CIA STEM Camp Participant

"NSHSS has impacted my life by giving me unique opportunities to experience and explore career fields and work in environments that I would not have had the chance to explore otherwise. The STEM Camp was an experience that I will always remember, and is something unique that I guarantee I would not be able to do outside of NSHSS."

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Ashley Henry
University of Florida Class of 2027, NSHSS STEAM Scholarship

"I want to say how grateful and thankful I am for these scholarship funds. I promise I will not let you down with this scholarship. I will use it to pursue my career goal of becoming a doctor. I want to Thank You again for awarding me this scholarship. I thank all the staff at National Society of High School Scholars who chose me for this scholarship. NSHSS is the best, and I really gain a lot from being a member!"

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Inaya Gray
Dillard University Class of 2027, Claes Nobel Academic Excellence Scholarship

"I am truly honored to have been selected as a recipient of the Claes Nobel Academic Excellence Scholarship. Thank you to NSHSS for the generosity, which will allow me to further my education to become a nurse practitioner one day. With this scholarship, I will now be able to afford housing, tuition, and my school supplies. I will be forever grateful for the financial support provided by the Claes Nobel Academic Excellence Scholarship. I will continue to work hard and prove that the financial investment made for my education has been worthwhile."

Scholarships FAQs

If a teacher has yet to receive a request for a letter of recommendation via email, then the issue might be related to the school's firewall blocking the communication. Here are a few steps that could be taken to address the situation:

1) Direct Communication with the Teacher:

  •  Please reach out to the teacher directly and inform them of the situation. Provide details about the scholarship application, the deadline, and any specific instructions for submitting the letter of recommendation.

2) Alternative Email Address:

  •  If possible, please ask your teacher if they have an alternative email address (not associated with the school's firewall) where the request can be sent.

3) Check Spam or Junk Folders:

  • Teachers should check their spam or junk email folders, as sometimes automated emails may get filtered into these folders.

4) Whitelist the Scholarship Platform:

  •  The school's IT department or the teachers themselves may whitelist the email address from the scholarship platform to ensure that future communications are not blocked.

Addressing this issue immediately is vital to keeping the application process smooth sailing. We want to let you know that we can't accept letters of recommendation after the deadline. 

The magic happens when students, teachers, and our scholarship platform team work together. So, please communicate to our team when you and your recommender are experiencing any issues. Your success matters to us; we're here to ensure everything goes seamlessly! 

NSHSS is proud to offer scholarships year-round, catering to scholarships for high school students and college students. To increase your chances of securing financial support, we strongly advise students to apply for the scholarships they are eligible for as soon as possible. 

NSHSS scholarships for high school and college students are available year-round. To apply for an NSHSS (National Society of High School Scholars) scholarship, high school or college students should follow a set of steps to ensure a thorough and competitive application. Here’s a guide: 

1) Explore Available Scholarships 

2) Review Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be aware that some NSHSS scholarships for high school students are available to members only.

3) Prepare Required Documents: 

  • Such as official or unofficial transcript, resume, professional headshot, letter of recommendation(s), and any additional materials

4) Write personal essays: 

  • Please follow the listed word count and review your application thoroughly for any grammar or spelling mistakes. 

5) Secure Letters of Recommendation: 

  • Students can request up to 2 and cannot submit their own letters of reference. Recommenders will have to submit the letters through the online scholarship platform. 

6) Apply online: 

  • Complete the scholarship application online through the NSHSS portal. Ensure that all required information and documents are submitted before the deadline. Once you do, you will receive an email confirming that your application has been successfully submitted. 

If a member, sign in to your NSHSS member dashboard to access all scholarship applications.

Select “Set Up Your Password” if it is your first time signing in.

Once you are in your member dashboard, select “Apply for Scholarships” > "View All Current Open Scholarships."

If you are not a member, click on the "Apply Now" button for the scholarship program you are interested in to register an account in our system.

NSHSS offers scholarships for all levels of high school and college, providing ample opportunities for students throughout their academic journey. Given the diverse range of available college scholarships for high school students, we highly recommend applying to multiple opportunities to increase the likelihood of receiving financial support. This proactive approach allows students to maximize their chances and explore various avenues of assistance during high school and college.

 Securing scholarship funding can be competitive, but students can take several proactive steps to increase their chances of success. Here are some strategies to help students maximize their efforts in attaining NSHSS scholarship funding:

1) Start early

  • Begin the scholarship search and application process early, ideally during your freshman or sophomore year in high school. This allows students to identify and apply for opportunities over an extended period.

2) Research Thoroughly 

  • Explore a wide range of scholarship opportunities. Look beyond academic achievements; consider scholarships based on talents, interests, community service, or specific demographics.

3) Create a Plan

  • Develop a comprehensive plan with a list of potential scholarships, deadlines, and application requirements. This will help students stay organized and submit applications on time.

4) Tailor Applications

  • Customize each scholarship application to align with the specific criteria and values of the scholarship provider. Highlight relevant experiences, achievements, and personal stories.

5) Build a Strong Resume

  • Develop a well-crafted resume showcasing academic achievements, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, volunteer work, and relevant skills or talents. Also, use your resume to showcase any unique talents such as artistic abilities, musical skills, or proficiency in a particular subject.

Visit our Scholarships Tips & Advice page for more scholarship tips from former NSHSS Scholarship Director Dr. Susan Thurman.

NSHSS provides scholarships for highschool students. For example, suppose you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year winner and have yet to enroll in a college or university. In that case, your scholarship award will be held. 

When you accept your award and complete the Accept Your Award form, choose “Please hold my award until I graduate high school and have enrolled in a college or university.” Selecting this will notify the scholarship administrator to hold your scholarship award until graduation.

If you are taking a gap year, please notify the scholarship administrator and provide a timeline of your enrollment status.

Of course! If a student receives a scholarship, they can apply it to any college or university, whether national or international. However, it's always a good idea to check your school's policies and procedures when reporting scholarships and let our scholarship administrator know if any specific information should be included in the scholarship letter.

We're thrilled to welcome international students into our scholarship community. It's an exciting journey, and we want to ensure you have all the details you need.

Each scholarship has its own set of eligibility requirements. So, take a moment to review those specifics for each scholarship you're eyeing. 

At NSHSS, we are proud to foster diversity and inclusivity by offering a range of scholarships tailored to the experience of our members. Here are some of the minority scholarships available: 

1) NSHSS First Generation Scholarship 

  • Eligibility: Open to first generation college students of all levels
  • Award Amount: $1,000

2) Claes Nobel Future Female Leader Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Open to high school female seniors 
  • Award Amount: $1,000

3) NSHSS Diversity Scholarship 

  • Eligibility: Open to NSHSS members in their sophomore, junior, or senior year in high school
  • Award Amount: $2,000

These scholarships reflect our commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds. We believe in the potential of every NSHSS member to make a positive impact on the world. 

If the scholarship application specifies online submissions only (no printed or mailed copies), it's important to stick to those guidelines. NSHSS uses an online platform to streamline the application process, manage submissions efficiently, and ensure a fair and standardized review.

Following these submission guidelines ensures a fair evaluation process and keeps things aligned with our procedures. Your success is our priority!

We appreciate your commitment to the application process. It's important to note that we cannot make any edits once the application deadline has passed. Our deadlines are carefully set to ensure a fair and organized review process for all applicants.


We highly recommend thoroughly reviewing your information before hitting that submit button to avoid errors or inaccuracies. However, we understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances can arise, leading to critical mistakes or the need for additional information. If this happens, we have specific procedures in place to handle these scenarios and can guide us on how to proceed.

The difficulty of obtaining a National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) scholarship can vary based on several factors, including the specific scholarship, the number of applicants, and the competitiveness of the selection process. NSHSS offers a range of scholarships for high school students and college students, each with its own set of criteria and requirements. You increase your chances of receiving a scholarship by applying to multiple and creating a unique application. 

The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is known for recognizing and providing opportunities for high-achieving students, including high school scholarships. Membership can demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and may offer access to exclusive resources, scholarships, and events. Also, including NSHSS on your resume or college application can showcase your academic achievements and involvement in a prestigious organization.

Determining the "best" scholarship for high school students or college students depends on your strengths, interests, and goals. Different scholarships cater to various criteria, such as academic achievement, leadership, community service, specific talents, or intended fields of study. Any scholarship is an achievement when used as financial assistance to further your education at your college or university of choice and brings you one step closer to a brighter future. 

It's important to note that an "easy" scholarship can vary, and what might be considered easy for one person may not be the same for another. Scholarships for high school students or college students come in diverse forms, and their application processes can range from simple to more involved. Here are a few types of scholarships that are often considered relatively straightforward:

1) No-Essay scholarships

2) Local scholarships

3) Short-response scholarships

4) Social media contests 

While these types of scholarships may be perceived as more accessible, it's essential to approach the application process with care. Remember when applying to scholarships from different organizations that you verify the legitimacy, review the requirements, and apply to those that align with your interests and goals. When you apply to scholarships with this mindset, you may find the application relatively "easy."

Qualifying for college scholarships involves a combination of academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, leadership, community service, and sometimes financial need. Below are some general steps to increase your chances of qualifying for college scholarships: 

1) Maintain a strong academic record 

2) Participate in extracurriculars 

3) Demonstrate leadership skills 

4) Engage in community service 

5) Pursue your passion

6) Research and stay informed

7) Be aware of financial need requirements 

8) Meet application deadlines 

Numerous colleges and universities offer various scholarships, and what might be considered the "best" depends on individual preferences, academic goals, and financial considerations. Some universities are known for their generous financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities. 

For example, Harvard is renowned for its generous financial aid program, which includes need-based grants rather than loans. They are committed to making education accessible for all admitted students, regardless of financial background. We are proud to report that as of 2023, twelve NSHSS high school scholarship recipients attend Harvard University.