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National Society of Collegiate Scholars

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American student honor society
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
NSCS
FoundedApril 30, 1994; 30 years ago (1994-04-30)
George Washington University
TypeHonor
AffiliationACHS
StatusActive
ScopeNational
MottoHonor. Inspire. Engage.
Colors  Crimson and   Gold
Publication3 Pillars Blog
PhilanthropyActive Minds
Chapters260
Members90,000 active
1,600,000 lifetime
Headquarters2000 M Street NW Suite 480G
Washington, D.C. 20036
United States
Websitenscs.org

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is a national non-profit academic honor society for college students in the United States. NSCS has active chapters at nearly 300 colleges and universities in the United States, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

History

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars was founded 1on April 30, 1994 at George Washington University in Washington, DC, by Steve Loflin. At the time, Loflin worked in Student Affairs at George Washington University. Loflin founded NSCS to recognize students who performed well academically during their first years in college and to provide members with an opportunity to take a leadership role in the organization.

The first NSCS New Member Induction Ceremony was held on The George Washington University campus on April 30, 1994. The society grew, expanding to other campuses in the United States. NSCS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization accredited by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).

The society celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala at the Hay-Adams Hotel in 2014. Speakers included the late Colin Powell.

In 2021, NSCS went through a rebranding, releasing a new logo and color scheme. At the same time, the organization launched new programs and services for members including a members new portal.

NSCS celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 in Washington, D.C. at a fundraiser dinner at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Washington D.C. Inspiring speakers included Secretary Robert Gates, Darius Graham representing the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation, and Faye Wattleton, American Activist and co-founder of EeroQ. Current high-achieving student members from The George Washington University and University of Maryland were in attendance for the special occasion. During the dinner, Darius Graham announced that the partnership between The National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation will be launching a $200,000 Emerging Leaders Scholarship Initiative, supporting 20 underserved students in STEAM fields.

As of 2025, NSCS had nearly 300 registered and active on-campus chapters, including a global chapter and more than 1.6 million lifetime members, including about 90,000 current student members. NSCS has also moved back to its classic branding with the crimson and gold seal to celebrate the honor society's history and stay true to the roots of the organization.

In addition to ACHS, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is a member of the following:

Symbols

The society's mottos is "Honor, Inspire, Engage". Its colors are crimson and gold. Its publication is "3 Pillars Blog".

The NSCS Seal is a torch emerging from an open book and three stars all surrounded by a laurel.

The torch symbolizes guidance and leadership. The open book signifies learning and scholarship. The laurel is a sign of honor and distinction. The three stars represent the pillars upon which the society is built: scholarship, leadership, and service. They serve as symbols of the Society's founding principle that with scholarship comes the responsibility to provide leadership and service to the community.

Membership

Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 or be in the top 20% of their class at the time of nomination.

To join NSCS following an invitation or to self-nominate as an eligible student, visit https://join.nscs.org.

NSCS offers two tiers of membership: Classic and Premium. While both memberships provide the same foundational perks, such as an official Certified Membership Credential, a Membership Welcome Package, access to the Scholar Strength Assessment, and a resume review, Premium membership includes several upgrades. These include an NSCS Graduation Honor Cord, an upgraded Member Diploma with a Foil Seal, professional editing of scholarship and graduate school application essays, and a personalized recommendation letter to support future opportunities. Premium members also receive more in-depth career support, such as professional edits to their resumes and application materials.

Activities

Scholarships

NSCS offers hundreds of thousands of dollars in both undergraduate and graduate scholarships annually. Recent scholarship recipients are highlighted periodically on the NSCS Website, showcasing the achievements of members and providing inspiration for future applicants. These scholarships are available to help support members' academic and professional aspirations, with various opportunities tailored to different fields of study and career paths. By applying, NSCS members can gain valuable financial support to further their education and enhance their future prospects.

Philanthropy

In 2017, NSCS partnered with Active Minds to help remove stigmas surrounding mental health. NSCS and Active minds emphasized that there is no correlation between GPA and mental health, and that high achievers should also not hesitate to seek mental counseling when necessary. In 2020, NSCS entered a major partnership with the Alzheimer's Association. This facilitated letter writing campaigns, virtual visits, and fundraising for the organization, conducted by dozens of chapters across the country.

Awards

The society presents the Inspire Integrity Awards, a national award that recognizes professors for inculcating integrity in their students.

Notable members

Controversies

The organization has been criticized for charging a membership fee for opportunities that are available for free, with one campus newspaper calling it a "scam".

See also

References

  1. ^ Association of College Honor Societies.
  2. Carter, Carol J. (July 6, 2014). "Celebrating Emerging Scholars, NSCS, and the Power of a Crazy Idea". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  3. ^ Lindsay, Matt (May 7, 2004). "National Society of Collegiate Scholars Celebrates 10th Anniversary". George Washington University. Archived from the original on March 10, 2005. Retrieved October 18, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. Carter, Carol J. (July 6, 2014). "Celebrating Emerging Scholars, NSCS, and the Power of a Crazy Idea". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  5. National Scholarship Providers Association
  6. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
  7. American Association of Community Colleges
  8. "NSCS Membership | Join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars". nscs.org. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  9. "IRS Form 990 for NSCS, 2018". July 15, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  10. Babu, Soundharjya (October 13, 2019). "Active Minds and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars prove GPA does not influence mental health". RMU Sentry Media. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  11. Amy, Shirley (September 25, 2019). "National Society of Collegiate Scholars & Active MindsReport: Mental Health Does Not Discriminate By GPA". eCounseling. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  12. "UMD Professor Wins Inspire Integrity Awards". The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Association of College Honor Societies. February 13, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  13. Editorial Board (March 13, 2015). "Dishonor Society". Pipe Dream (Binghamton University). Retrieved April 14, 2021.

External links

Association of College Honor Societies
Currently active members
Active former members
Honor Society Caucus
Defunct former members
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