Frequently Asked Questions

Established over a century ago, the National Honor Society enshrines 4 pillars at its heart: Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character. 

 

To be eligible to apply for general membership into the Red Hawks NHS, you must meet the following criteria in relation to those pillars: 

Yes, inducted members who continue to meet the requirements will automatically be a member. However, ALL members (previous and newly invited) are required to turn in an application and parent form every year. If you do not complete these forms, you will not be in good standing. Seniors who were inducted their junior year will not have to complete the teacher recommendations, but you DO have to pay the NHS dues each year.  

 

Note: As a junior, when you are inducted, you earn a membership pin.  As a senior, when you are inducted, you earn your graduation medallion. 

• Members are responsible for a payment of $35 IN DUES through School Cash online for EACH YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP. (Dues will cover induction certificate, pin or graduation cord, club t-shirt, and club expenses for the induction ceremony.)
• Attendance at the meetings is mandatory. Missing more than one in a row will cause you to lose good standing.
• 15 individual service hours must be completed.  You will be given "check-in" deadlines throughout the year to show you are working on this.  If you miss two check-ins, you will lose good standing. 
• Participation in the group service project is mandatory. Not participating in the group service project will cause you to lose good standing. 

Please go to the Service Hours Information page for a complete explanation of what service will count and what will not. 

 

General Rule: The advisors use the following rule as a way to determine if a particular service project will count toward your requirements – “Would an out-of-state college/university recognize this activity as community service?" If the answer is no, you should find another activity.

The final decision regarding whether any of the service hours listed on this form count toward candidacy or member service obligations rests solely with the chapter advisors. When in doubt - ASK AN ADVISOR. 

Short answer is no.  A parent's signature will not count as verified service hours.  You must find an unrelated adult to verify your hours. 

 

 

 

What does “get verified” mean?

• Once a student creates their account on the NHS website a notification is sent to the student’s adviser to verify that they are an NHS member in good standing. Once verified, the student can login to complete and submit the NHS Scholarship application online. Unverified students will not have access to the NHS Scholarship application.

  Tip: Get the school ID # from your advisor before beginning the process. 

What does “good standing” mean?

• NHS seniors “in good standing” are active members of the current graduating class who are up to date on their NHS chapter obligations (GPA, service activities, meeting the chapter’s expectations for character and leadership). Students should refer to their NHS chapter’s bylaws for what constitutes “good standing” and check with their NHS advisers to confirm they meet all membership obligations.

What is an ideal candidate?

• An ideal applicant for the NHS Scholarship will:
  • Demonstrate a service mindset by seeking out and voluntarily fulfilling needs to help others.
  • Commit to learning, growing, and making the most of educational opportunities.
  • Take ownership and responsibility as a leader, in title or in action, in school and community.
  • Display perseverance, honesty, integrity, and ethical and compassionate decision-making.

What will I be asked to provide in the scholarship application?

• While completing the application, applicants will be asked to:
  • Provide detailed information about activities and experiences related to scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
  • Request an Adviser Certification from their NHS Adviser, which acts as a short recommendation form and confirms the applicant is currently in good standing with a local NHS chapter. The adviser certification must be completed in the application portal and no external documents or communications will be accepted.
  • Request a Recommendation from one non-adviser, non-family member adult who can speak to the applicant’s commitment to the pillars of NHS. The recommendation must be completed in the application portal and no external documents or communications will be accepted.

The NHS provides members with awards and opportunities to recognize excellence in service.  The National organization awards more than $2 million to NHS senior members who have demonstrated a commitment to the four pillars of NHS and underprivileged students to college each year.  Additionally, there are opportunities to earn awards within the association at the national and local level for working in their communities or inventing things that aid the community.  Each year, the NHS national organization gives out five Outstanding Service Project awards to chapters that make significant contributions to their communities in the form of construction or beautification projects. 

Being a NHS member is not only a positive thing to put on your college, and job resume, but the NHS national organization has resources to help student members plan for college, a databank of valuable advice directly from admissions experts to help guide them through the process.

At graduation active members have the privilege of wearing special regalia/items signifying their length of membership in the club.

Selected and non-selected candidates will be notified. Though non-selected candidates will not be given any details as to why their membership application was denied. 

Our chapter does offer the option to appeal the decision. In order to appeal, students can request an appeal hearing. This hearing will consist of the NHS advisors, the Assistant Principal over NHS, the student and parents/guardians. 

Please note: appeals will NOT be heard if the student failed to meet all the requirements of the membership application. 

No.  Unfortunately you must be a full time student enrolled at SCHS to qualify for membership in the Red Hawks National Honor Society.