Reward Your Leadership with the NASC Scholarship
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Are you a member of your school's student council? Joining student government is one of the best ways to get involved in your high school community and take on a leadership role. College admissions officers aren't the only ones who are looking for student leaders— the NASC Scholarship is specifically for student council members.
Student council members play a key role in organizing events such as prom, school trips, fundraisers, and more. They have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on their school experience. Being a member of a student council offers numerous benefits. It's not just about what you can contribute to your school—it's also about how the experience helps you grow as a leader.
The National Association of Student Council's core tenets are leadership, service, student voice, and engagement. They recognize students who actively demonstrate these core tenets, looking for those who take the initiative, serve their community, advocate for their peers, and engage fully in their roles. This commitment to leadership and service helps you grow important skills like organization, perseverance, communication, and more during your time as a student leader.
Having measurable results to show, like a policy you implemented at your school, is huge. And you should be proud if you were able to achieve something like that! Moreover, the soft skills you develop in student council—such as teamwork, competence, and a willingness to take responsibility—are highly desirable traits. And that makes you a better candidate for both college applications and the NASC Scholarship.
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The NASC Scholarship for Student Leaders
The National Association of Student Councils Scholarship program is designed to provide tuition funding to high school juniors and seniors. This organization is looking for active participants in their local student council program.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate the key principles outlined by the National Student Council Association: leadership, service, student voice, and engagement.
NASC will award $100,000 to students with a strong record of leadership in their student council, of which $1,000 will go to 75 finalists and $5,000 to five winners. That's a significant amount, so any student council members who apply should try their hand at this scholarship.
Eligibility for the NASC Scholarship
This coveted award is designed to reward student leadership. As such, only high school students who are a part of their high school student governments or actively associated with the NASC may apply.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- High school junior or senior
- Current officer of your school's NASC-affiliated student council
- NASC student account holder, verified by a NASC adviser
- Intending to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university
It's important that your high school be counted among NASC member schools. Otherwise, your application may not be considered legitimate even if you are on your school's student government body.
If your school isn't affiliated yet, that's okay— you can apply for affiliation!
Getting NASC Approval for your Student Council
Talk to your fellow council members, principal leadership, and other school leaders about investing in NASC membership for your school. It costs only $95 to gain school affiliation with NASC.
Once your school is verified, all council members will be eligible for the NASC Scholarship. NASC membership comes with other benefits as well:
- Leadership Development Programs
- Various resources
- National Student Network
- Recognition and Scholarship Programs
- Recognition of student voices on a national platform
Most secondary school principals will likely have already made efforts to connect students with NASC resources. However, if they haven't already done so, make sure to bring it up so that you and your classmates can access the NASC Scholarship.
The NASC's other division, intended to provide school administrators with support, may also be of interest to your school faculty. NASSP's managing director is committed to supporting school administrators, while NASC provides support to students.
How to Win the NASC Scholarship
The NASC Scholarship is an ideal financial aid opportunity for a few reasons.
Firstly, only student council members can apply, which narrows down the applicant pool considerably. Secondly, unlike many scholarships, the prize money is a significant amount: $1,000 for finalists and $5,000 for winners. It's a worthy use of your time.
Qualities of the Ideal Candidate
It's important to understand what the NASC is looking for before you apply. Finalists and winners of the NASC Scholarship share these traits:
- Takes initiative to help others through community service and volunteering
- Ability to take responsibility within local communities
- Demonstrates a learning growth mindset
- Fosters safe and inclusive school culture through events, projects, and initiatives
- Creates new ways for student council to get involved in the school and community
Developing a growth strategy is one of the most important learning outcomes in high school. However smart you already are, you can always improve— and you should actively seek to do so by considering what areas you can grow in and how you can sharpen those skills.
Related: How to Get Scholarships
How to Apply for the NASC Scholarship
- Apply for your school to become a NASC-affiliated institution if you have not already
- Create a student NASC account
- Verify your NASC account
- Fill out the scholarship application
After you create an account, you'll need to verify it. A NASC officer will reach out to your adviser in order to verify you're a NASC member with good academic standing.
Once you're verified, the scholarship application will be open to you. The scholarship application will ask you for the following information:
- Details on your activities or experience related to leadership, service, student voice, and engagement
- Recommendation letter from your student council advisor
- Recommendation letter from an educator at your current school
Recommendation letters will need to be filled out by the advisor or teacher in the NASC portal. You won't be able to submit letters on their behalf, and any external documents will not be accepted.
For more information about the NASC or the NASC scholarship, visit the NASC website.
Related: How to Apply for Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions About the NASC Scholarship
Considering the award money on the line, you need to be sure you understand the requirements and expectations regarding the application. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding this exclusive scholarship.
Is NASC membership useful even if I don't win the scholarship?
Yes, NASC is committed to promoting student development with year-round leadership workshops, extensive project databases, and other resources. Joining NASC can help you unlock new and exciting aspects of your leadership journey in high school as you continue to hone your organizational and communication skills.
Can I apply for the NASC scholarship if my student council isn't affiliated with NASC?
No. In order to apply, you must be a junior or senior in high school serving on a NASC-recognized student council. If your school isn't affiliated, be sure to reach out to faculty and advisors regarding NASC membership. It's likely that your school's principal leadership talked with NASC officers in the past regarding school affiliation, so make sure to follow up if that's the case.
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How much does NASC membership cost for my high school?
The membership fee is $95. Considering the benefits you'll get— various resources and access to the scholarship application— it's a pretty decent bang for your buck.
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About Elise
Elise is a skilled and knowledgeable writer. Her understanding of scholarships and internships enables her to craft insightful and informative content that resonates with students, helping them navigate the often complex processes of applying for financial aid and career opportunities.
Elise graduated from New York University with a double major in English and Psychology, as well as a minor in Creative Writing.
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Through challenging university coursework and corporate experience, Elise has become an expert in several different types of writing, including literary analysis, content pieces, formal scientific writing, SEO editing, and more. Elise expanded on her knowledge while interning in marketing, using her understanding of SEO to boost website traffic and customer engagement.
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Elise first joined Bold.org in 2022 during her undergraduate studies, explored other pursuits in 2023, and happily returned in 2024. Motivated by her writing skills, she aims to make educational resources more accessible for students of all backgrounds. Additionally, she believes it's important to add to the available information on student loans and student finances in a way that's user-friendly and easy to understand.
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