Only National Honor Society chapters with current affiliation are eligible to participate in the scholarship program. Students become eligible for NHS scholarships through a nomination process and cannot directly apply. High school seniors must be nominated through their National Honor Society chapter. Usually, nomination proceedings occur when the student request their chapter adviser begin the process. Between two and five students may be nominated by each chapter, depending upon the size of the graduating class. Home-schooled students are not eligible to be nominated, and award winners must attend a college in the United States.
After being nominated, the next step for a student is to complete a four-page online nomination form. The form can be saved and does not need to be completed all at one time. A $6 application fee is also required. All nomination materials, including the required signatures (student, adviser and principal), letters of recommendation and an original essay, must be submitted by the deadline posted on the National Honor Society website, which is in late January each year.
Nominees are judged against other nominees from their state that come from similar-sized schools. National Honor Society Scholarships are based upon academic merit, not financial need. Award winners are usually well-rounded students who exhibit stellar academics, strong school and community service and involvement in extracurricular activities such as athletics and the arts. Selection is made is April, and NHS scholarship winners are notified in May.