Student Service Grants FAQs

Students in the United States aged 13–18 who are current members of National Honor Society (NHS), National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), or a student council with an active National Association of Student Councils (NASC) membership are eligible. Students outside the U.S. are not eligible at this time. 

For NEHS eligibility, please click here.

All student members of NHS, NJHS, or NASC may create accounts. Student accounts are needed to apply for the student service grant; applicants must provide a record of membership and elect to receive communications about upcoming opportunities. All students are welcome to create accounts even if they are not applying for the grant. Students must create an account through the website of their respective program (NHS, NJHS, or NASC). After creating an account, students will need to be verified by their adviser. 

Student Service Grants are available through two funding tiers: the Standard Grant and the Legacy Grant. Both tiers are open to eligible NHS, NJHS, NEHS, and NASC students. 

The Legacy Grant is an optional opportunity for students with previous experience with a successfully completed project to request additional funding. Students who meet the Legacy Grant eligibility requirements are not required to apply at the Legacy level and may choose to apply for a Standard Grant instead. You do not have to be a previous Student Service Grant recipient to be eligible for the Legacy Tier. 

Standard Grant 

Funding available: Up to $1,000 

The Standard Grant provides up to $1,000 to support student-led service projects. 

Students proposing a project that is being implemented for the first time are eligible for the Standard Grant only. 

Students whose projects have been completed in the past may also choose to apply for a Standard Grant if they do not wish to request funding through the Legacy Grant tier. 

Legacy Grant 

Funding available: Up to $3,000 

The Legacy Grant is an optional higher funding tier for students who are continuing, expanding, or building upon a service project that has been successfully completed in the past. 

To be eligible for a Legacy Grant, the applicant must have been involved in a previous successful implementation of the project. The applicant does not need to have personally led the project in the past, but they must have participated in it and be able to describe their previous project experience. 

The application will include additional questions for Legacy Grant applicants to explain their involvement in the previously completed project and its outcomes. Because Legacy Grants provide a higher level of funding, applications submitted under this tier will receive additional review to ensure they meet the Legacy Grant requirements. 

If your project is being implemented for the first time, you are eligible for the Standard Grant and may request up to $1,000. 

If your project has been successfully completed in the past and you participated in that previous implementation, you may apply for the Legacy Grant and request up to $3,000. 

Meeting the Legacy Grant requirements does not require you to apply at that level. If your project has been completed previously, but you do not need additional funding, you may still apply for a Standard Grant. 

Once a student creates an account, the adviser receives an e-mail notification and instructions to verify the student account. Once verified, the student can login to complete and submit the grant application. Unverified student accounts will not have access to proceed with the application. 

No, the grant program is specifically for youth-led, youth-driven projects. While community partnerships are encouraged, the grant must be awarded to an eligible student leading the project. 

Students can apply to complete a service project on behalf of a chapter or council, but one student must be responsible for completing the grant application, managing grant funds, and completing the reporting requirements. Additionally, this student will share their personal reason for submitting the application as well as their experience in leading projects. Lastly, the adviser and principal will both be asked to complete an acknowledgement form that they met with this student and sharing their confidence level in the student’s ability to complete the project. A student may collaborate with an entire chapter or council, but ultimately there must be a single designated student leader who is motivated and responsible for oversight of the grant.

We encourage collaboration on service projects, and students are welcome to work together. However, only one student may apply for and manage the grant. This applicant will be responsible for agreeing to the grant terms, receiving communications from us, and reporting project outcomes.

Students are still encouraged to collaborate using the project planning tool and meet as a group with their adviser and principal, but one student must act as the primary applicant and project lead. Having one applicant for the grant does not mean that the other student or students are not just as involved, as the grant application is another element of project management that can be split up among involved students.

Yes, students may receive one grant per cycle and may reapply in future cycles as long as they’re eligible.  

Past grant recipients who have successfully completed their project and wish to expand or build upon it may choose to reapply for the Legacy Grant, which provides funding of up to $3,000. 

Currently, this grant program is open to students within the United States who are members of NHS, NJHS, or NASC chapters. Students outside the U.S. are not eligible at this time. 

Yes, students whose projects are not accepted may reapply the following year, if they still meet the eligibility requirements. 

If your project is part of a larger effort that extends beyond the grant timeline, you should first determine if there is a clear step of the project that can be completed within the grant timeline. To be eligible, you should be able to identify clear objectives and impact that you can report on during the grant timeline. This project could be one of many similar efforts to move the needle for an ongoing effort, but all grant-funded projects must have their own timeline, goals, budget, and community impact that the grant recipient can report on during the grant timeline.   

Past grant recipients who have successfully completed their project and wish to expand or build upon it may choose to reapply in future cycles for the Legacy Grant, which provides funding of up to $3,000. 

SMART goals are objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Using the SMART framework can help you clearly define what you want to accomplish and how you will measure success for your project. 

You do not need to answer every question below in your application, but these prompts can help you get started:  

Specific 

• Who is involved? 
• What do you want to accomplish? 
• Where will the project take place? 
• Why is this goal important? 

Measurable 

• How will you measure progress and success? 
• What metrics or indicators will show that you have achieved your goal? 
• Are there milestones you can set along the way? 

Achievable 

• Is the goal realistic and attainable? 
• Do you have the skills, resources, and support needed to complete the project? 
• If not, what steps will you take to obtain them? 

Relevant 

• Does the goal align with your project proposal? 
• Is the project worthwhile and meaningful? 
• Is this the right time to pursue the goal? 
• Does it support your broader goals and priorities? 

Time-bound 

• When do you plan to complete the project? 
• What can realistically be accomplished within your timeline? 
• Are there key deadlines or milestones you should meet throughout the project? 

A strong SMART goal provides a clear roadmap for your project and demonstrates how you will achieve meaningful outcomes within a defined timeframe. 

Start by identifying an issue or problem to address in your school or community. Define the problem and gather information from those most impacted by it. Consider new approaches, collaboration, innovation, or creative methods to address problems. Outline your solution and determine what success looks like for your project, using SMART objectives to track impact. Utilize the planning tool to help organize your project and present it to your adviser and principal, as well as any peers or community members you plan to engage with. 

Applicants must submit a comprehensive service project proposal that includes:  

• Selecting either a Standard Grant or a Legacy Grant 
• A problem statement 
• A proposed project to address the problem 
• A detailed project plan 
• A project budget 

Students must also meet with their adviser and school principal, who are required to complete acknowledgment forms as part of the application. 

If selected for funding, students will be required to submit a final project report by the program deadline. Any unused grant funds must be reported in the final project report and returned to the National Principals Association. Please mail unused funds to: 

National Principals Association 
1900 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 100 
Reston, VA 20191-1535 

Please include the following information with the returned funds so that the payment can be properly identified and applied: 

• School name (if it does not already appear on the check) 
• Student grant recipient’s name 
• “Returned SSG funds” in the memo line of the check 

To estimate participation and impact, consider the size of your target audience, the number of volunteers needed, and the reach of your project’s activities. Consult with your adviser, local community organizations, or local government to increase the accuracy of your estimates. 

You can involve other students by recruiting volunteers, promoting your project through school events, and encouraging peers to participate in project activities. Engaging others helps strengthen the project’s impact and reach. 

Yes, partnering with a community organization can enhance the impact of your project. Be sure to outline how the organization will be involved in your proposal and ensure their support aligns with the project goals. If your project requires additional support or funding from this organization, please confirm this with the organization before applying. 

Projects that conflict with school policies or promote religious or political activities are not eligible for funding. Additionally, National Principals Association grants are intended for projects impacting communities within the U.S. 

Your project can be new or a continuation of an existing initiative. If it is part of an existing or ongoing initiative, you may apply for the Legacy Grant and will need to clearly demonstrate how the grant will enhance the project’s impact and sustainability. Additionally, the project must stand on its own in terms of its timeline, goals, budget, and community impact.   

The grant program is designed to support impactful, youth-driven service projects, regardless of the community’s size or population. We understand that community needs and potential impact can look different depending on factors like location, population, and demographic makeup. Our scoring rubric considers not only the number of people impacted but also the significance of the project to your specific community, whatever its size.

Grant applications are reviewed by a committee based on several factors, including the project’s potential community impact, the feasibility of implementation, and the leadership demonstrated by the student. Applications are scored on a rubric, with grants awarded based on availability of funds.  

Applicants applying for the Legacy Grant will undergo a more comprehensive review process, with additional emphasis on prior success, sustainability, and long-term community impact. 

Standard Grants are available in increments of $200, $400, $600, $800, or $1,000, depending on the scope and needs of your project.   

Legacy Grants are available in increments of $200, $400, $600, $800, $1,000, with additional funding opportunities of $1,500, $2,000, $2,500, or $3,000. 

You will need to provide a project budget that matches your requested funding amount. If your project has additional costs not covered by the grant, you only need to include items in your budget that align with the requested grant amount. If your estimated costs fall between two amounts, we recommend adjusting your projections or considering how you can more closely align your budget with an available grant size. 

If your project exceeds the maximum grant size, you will need to secure additional funding from other sources. Your application should detail how you plan to raise or access these additional funds (e.g., crowdfunding, donations, or sponsorships). For the purposes of the grant, only include items in your budget up to your requested grant size. 

Our grants are structured to support a range of project sizes and funding needs, so additional outside funding does not automatically affect a project’s eligibility. Projects with larger budgets or those requiring additional funding are welcome to apply, but applicants will be asked how they’ll secure the additional funds. As part of our review process, we want to ensure that each project is realistic and achievable within its projected timeline.

If selected, the grant funding will be sent to your school. Your school principal will enter your school address and federal tax ID as part of a principal acknowledgement form in the grant application. Funds cannot be sent directly to the student applicant or adviser.  Incorrect school information may result in delayed funds. 

Grant recipients should notify their school’s front office staff about the incoming grant and familiarize themselves with any school or district policies related to receiving external funding. 

Students are encouraged to work closely with their school’s front office or administrative team to ensure access to their grant funds. It is the recipient’s responsibility to track and oversee the use of the grant. Each school may use its own process for accountability. The program adviser should provide support for a student in accessing these funds from the school to ensure they are used according to the project budget.   

Any unused grant funds must be reported in the final project report and returned to the National Principals Association. Please mail unused funds to: 

National Principals Association 
1900 Campus Commons Drive, Suite 100 
Reston, VA 20191-1535 

Please include the following information with the returned funds so that the payment can be properly identified and applied: 

• School name (if it does not already appear on the check) 
• Student grant recipient’s name 
• “Returned SSG funds” in the memo line of the check 

Applicants are required to submit a final project report. In the report, advisers and student representatives will work together to report on their success in the following:  

• Reaching project objectives  
• Confirm and elaborate on community impact and youth engagement  
• Provide details on how funds were used  
• Discuss challenges.   

Additionally, applicants will be asked to share photos and media from planning through completion of the project. Grant recipients are expected to complete their project as described in their application and submit the required final report once complete. If you are unable to complete these requirements, some or all the grant funds may need to be returned. 

If your project changes, you will have the flexibility to adapt, as long as it remains close to its original scope and scale. If your project will dramatically change or can no longer be completed as originally described, you can contact us to discuss your options, but you may not use funds other than to fulfill your original project objectives. Significant changes will require our approval to ensure that the project still aligns with the original objectives and grant guidelines. 

Your adviser should be actively involved in reviewing your project, providing guidance and support as needed. Complete the project planning tool and discuss it with your adviser. Your adviser will be asked to complete an acknowledgement form as part of the grant application, which includes their assessment of the feasibility and impact of your project. Your adviser will also help ensure that you have access to grant funds when needed and can help you ensure the project is completed according to plan. 

You must meet with your school principal to inform them of your project. We recommend scheduling a meeting and bringing a completed project planning tool. This will ensure the school is aware of and supportive of your initiative. Your school principal will be asked to complete an acknowledgement form as part of the grant application, which includes providing basic information about your school, confirming that your school will oversee the distribution of funds, and providing their assessment of the feasibility and impact of your project. 

The involvement of your NHS, NJHS, or NASC chapter or council is encouraged. The grant applicant should be responsible for the execution of the project and use of grant funds, but having the support and participation of peers strengthens the project’s impact and reach. 

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