Since 1946, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has awarded more than $30 million in scholarships to outstanding NHS seniors. This year, we are awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 students. Each year, scholarship recipients are selected based on their demonstration of the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.
3 Steps to Apply
Timeline
- September 8, 2025: Application opens
- November 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (ET): Submission deadline
- February 2026: Applicants receive notifications
- April 2026: All-expense paid trip to DC for top 25 scholarship finalists and their advisers
Eligibility
To be eligible, a student must be:
- A high school senior and/or expecting to receive a high school diploma during the current academic year.
- An active member in good standing of a National Honor Society chapter, meeting all membership requirements and obligations of the local chapter.
- An NHS student account holder, verified by the NHS chapter adviser.
- Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university, military institute, or trade school.
Note: There are no limits to the number of applicants per chapter.
Testimonials:
“I chose to apply for the NHS Scholarship because I really enjoyed leading my school NHS chapter as President and I wanted to connect more with the national NHS community. This scholarship was a way to explore how my own values align with the NHS values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. It has been a transformative experience applying for this scholarship because each component of the application allowed for self-exploration, so I learned a lot about myself throughout the process.” – Pritika Kharkwal, 2025 Winner (Plano, TX) 
“The NHS Scholarship isn’t just about recognizing what you’ve done, it’s about what you will do next. I applied because I believe in using leadership to create change, and NHS has given me the foundation to do that, whether through service projects or mentoring younger students. Completing the application was a chance to reflect on the work I’ve done and how I can continue making a difference. If you’re an NHS member who’s committed to service and leadership, take the chance to apply; you never know where it might lead.” – Bryce Hunter, 2025 Finalist (Centennial, CO) 
“It feels incredibly rewarding to be recognized for my hard work, dedication, and countless hours placed towards the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character! I am honored to be selected as a winner as it represents a continued commitment to serving others and I am excited to further my education. Winning the scholarship brings my dreams of becoming a physician-scientist that much closer, with hopes of bridging the disciplines of medical research and clinical treatment. Further, the scholarship connects me with a vast network of amazing, like-minded individuals whose passion for service and leadership is inspiring!” – Havannah Ladzekpo, 2025 Finalist (Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA) 
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be selected as a winner of the NHS Scholarship. High school and understanding who I wanted to be later in my life were challenges that I believe NHS helped me face, and the honor of representing this organization on a national scale provides me the opportunity to speak to people just like me, and empower them to keep searching for their passions.” – Raghav Pallapothu, 2025 Finalist (Lexington, SC)
Questions?
