Frequently Asked Questions
  • Why should I join? Is it worth it if I won't earn lifetime membership?
    • NHS/CSF is a recognition of your hard work and good grades. Even if you are not a lifetime member, you can still list your semesters of membership on your resume, job applications, and college applications.
  • Do I have to qualify every semester?
    • Although we would hope that students will qualify each semester, you can miss a couple of semesters and still be eligible for lifetime membership.
  • Do I have to take honors classes to be in an honor society?
    • No, your eligibility is not based on being enrolled in honors classes. Honors/AP/SBCC Dual Enrollment classes do provide weighted grades, which can add to a student's grade point average and help them qualify for membership. Work with your counselor to challenge yourself appropriately.
  • Does my citizenship grade matter?
    • Yes, because these are honor societies, your citizenship grades matter. For NHS, any "U" citizenship grade disqualifies a student from membership. For CSF, any semester grade of "U" or "N" disqualifies a student from membership.
  • Do I need to qualify in 12th grade?
    • For both NHS/CSF, students must earn at least one semester in the 12th grade to qualify for lifetime membership. 
  • Why do I have to pay dues?
    • Your dues payment covers the cost of senior cords, seals, leadership opportunities, and community service projects.​
  • Can summer school classes count towards NHS/CSF?
    • No, only classes taken during the fall or spring semesters count towards eligibility for membership.
  • I can't remember how many semesters I have been a member. Who can I ask?
    • Please check the Membership List page and look up your ID number. 
  • If I didn't pay for past semesters when I qualified, can I pay now in order to qualify?
    • No, payment needs to take place during the membership period, which follows after the end of each semester. No retroactive payment are allowed for previous semesters.
  • Why do I get notified after the semester is over as to whether I qualified?
    • Because qualification for NHS and CSF is determined by semester grades, we do not know if students are eligible until the semester is completed. For fall semester, students are notified in early February. For spring semester, students are notified in September/October.
  • ​In block schedule, how is eligibility determined?
    • ​Term 1 and 2 are combined to determine Fall eligibility and Term 3 and 4 are added to determine Spring eligibility. 
  • Do I have to do community service? Can I use hours that I already turned in to the College & Career Center?
    • Yes, NHS/CSF has a two-hour community service requirement. Students should complete those hours through an approved community service organization. Students may not use hours that they have already turned in to the College & Career Center for the graduation community service hour requirement unless they specify those hours are for NHS/CSF. 
  • ​Where can I find more information about National Honor Society or California Scholarship Federation?