Is Paying to Join a Society Worth It for Scholarships?

Updated on April 26th, 2024

While searching for scholarships and academic requirements, students usually stumble across opportunities offered by organizations that require paid memberships. When that happens, it’s normal to wonder, “Is paying to join a society worth it if it could mean more scholarships?”

Regretfully, there’s no hard and fast answer. In some cases, paying the membership fee may be completely worthwhile. In others, not so much. Plus, certain paid membership groups are actually scams, complicating the issue.

Is your student hunting for college scholarships? If so, we can help! If you and your student want to learn more about how to find scholarship opportunities, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve your spot today.

Even though it can be challenging to figure out if joining is a smart move, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. If your student is considering paying to join a society to access scholarship opportunities, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Paid Membership Societies?

A paid membership society is any group that requires a payment to join. A specific dollar amount is one of the barriers to entry. However, the group can have requirements beyond that, such as a certain minimum GPA for students, majoring in specific fields, or belonging to a particular demographic group.

Whether a student needs an invitation to join or can become a member at their discretion also varies. Some paid membership societies have nomination or review processes for new members, meaning students are evaluated before they’re given the opportunity to join. Others are open to essentially any student who wants to become a member.

What Kind of Paid Membership Societies Are There?

One of the most common membership organizations students discover is that honor societies offer them when it comes to accessing college scholarships. They exist at the high school and college level, and many honor societies do have award programs that can help students pay for college.

However, those aren’t the only options. In some cases, societies focus on specific demographic groups, such as people of a particular descent or heritage. Others are professional groups and even academic societies or honor societies concentrating on a limited list of college majors, professional fields, or industries. Your student may even see some directed at people who fall into other categories, such as individuals with disabilities.

Ultimately, paid membership societies at colleges are incredibly commonplace, and they cover a wide variety of niches. Some have broader membership requirements, while others are highly limited. However, any of them may offer scholarships if they choose.

The Pros and Cons of Paying to Join a Society

As with anything, there are pros and cons when a student pays to join a society. While being a member of most honor societies could mean gaining access to scholarships, that isn’t the only point a student should consider before handing over some cash.

If your student is considering joining a national honor society now, here’s what they need to know about the pros and cons of signing up.

The Pros

While students may be focused on scholarship opportunities, most organizations bring more to the table than that. In fact, joining any formal, legitimate society can provide students with a variety of potential benefits. Some of the most common ones include:

• Access to scholarships
• Networking opportunities
• Career planning services
• Leadership opportunities
• Chances to get published
• Volunteer opportunities (community service)
• Educational materials
• Internship opportunities
• Group events
• And more

In some cases, membership in a particular group can also boost a student’s resume. They show that a student was a standout academically or is dedicated to their future field, for example. Now, as a credential, membership isn’t necessarily as strong as having the right degree, leadership skills, leadership abilities or experience, but it could separate one job candidate from another if they are otherwise equal.

The Cons

There can be drawbacks to paying to join societies, as well. Most of them involve not getting enough value based on the cost. If there aren’t enough resources, opportunities, events, or similar benefits, paying the fee could be seen as a waste of money.

In some cases, an organization may also require more from members than just the initial enrollment fee. There could be additional costs associated with attending certain events, volunteering requirements, and repeated requests for donations. Some also charge annual membership fees, so members aren’t just paying once; they may be paying every year.

Additionally, even if scholarship opportunities exist, they can be fairly competitive, particularly in larger organizations with academic achievements. For example, for major national honor societies with academic standards for entry, standing out from the crowd can be incredibly difficult. While that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth pursuing, it is important to keep the challenge level in mind before deciding to pay to join.

Are There Paid Membership Scams?

Yes, there are numerous paid membership scams out there where students join honor societies. While plenty of these organizations are entirely reputable, some are outright fakes. They are designed to reel in some cash, offering virtually nothing in return for the honor society membership.

Before your student pays to join college honor societies or any group that claims to offer scholarships to members, it’s crucial that they research the society to make sure it’s legitimate. Testimonials published on the organization’s site aren’t enough. Instead, students should focus on outside sources for information, such as the Better Business Bureau. For honor societies, looking to see if the group is certified by the Association of Collegiate Honor Societies can be a great way to start.

It’s also wise to determine if a group is nonprofit or for-profit. Deciding whether a nonprofit is legit is reasonably simple, as there are resources like the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search that can help.

While a for-profit organization may certainly be legitimate (and a nonprofit can also be a scam), for-profit status should be a signal to do additional research. If your student spots red flags like the organization’s website only listing a P.O. Box instead of a physical address, spelling and grammar mistakes in its content, a fee that’s well outside of what organizations charges, lofty promises to high school students that seem too good to be true, and other issues, it may be best to avoid the group.

Is Paying to Join a Society Worth It for Scholarships?

Ultimately, whether the cost is worth shouldering depends on the overall value of membership. If the only reason your student was thinking about signing up was to get a chance to apply to a particular scholarship, it might not be worth the cost. After all, there’s no guarantee your student would be selected. If high school graduate students see they aren’t going to find value beyond the chance to apply, it may not be a smart move.

But if your student plans to take advantage of the other benefits a paid membership society can provide, the cost may be worthwhile. They can network, take on leadership roles, volunteer to do service projects, gain experience, and access valuable learning opportunities.

Ensure your student considers whether they’ll get more out of membership than the chance to submit an application. Additionally, they need to do additional research to ensure that the organization is legit and can live up to its promises. If everything checks out, then they may get enough value to justify the fee. But if anything looks fishy or they aren’t sure about the value, it might be better for college students just to pass the option by.

FAQs

Does Honor Society Cost Money?

Many students wonder, “Does the Honor Society cost money?” The answer to that question depends on which honor society students want to join, but it’s often “yes.”

In most cases, honor societies have induction fees and annual dues or membership fees. The money is typically used to fund various organizational activities or services, as well as provide funds for scholarships.

Some honor societies have relatively low fees, coming in well under $100 per year. Others may be higher cost. As a result, students should look into any fees – as well as participation expectations – to understand what they’ll need to cover to join and what’s necessary to maintain their membership long-term.

Is Blue Key Honor Society Worth It?

The Blue Key Honor Society recognizes students’ commitment to leadership, service, and academic achievement. In many cases, membership can be a significant asset for students looking to enhance their collegiate experience. It offers a unique blend of service opportunities, leadership development, leadership experience, and academic recognition, which can be particularly beneficial for those aiming to build impressive resumes or graduate school applications.

Members often gain access to exclusive scholarships, leadership conferences, and community service projects that not only bolster personal growth but also enhance communal contributions. The society’s focus on developing its members’ leadership skills can be particularly attractive to those who aspire to take on roles in student governance or community leadership.

However, the value of membership in the Blue Key Honor Society can depend on the specific activities and opportunities available through local chapters. As with many honor societies, there are membership dues. As of 2024, the cost of joining the Blue Key Honor Society is $75. The annual dues are also $75.

Prospective members should consider the level of activity and the engagement of the chapter at their institution. Some chapters might be highly active, offering numerous events and networking opportunities, which can significantly enrich the college experience. Others might be less dynamic, which could affect the perceived benefits of membership. As a result, students need to investigate their local chapter’s reputation and offerings and speak with current members to gauge how active and beneficial the society is in practice, ensuring that it aligns well with their personal and professional development goals.

How Can Students Research Honor Societies?

Generally, the easiest way for students to research honor societies is to use the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) website to identify certified organizations. By doing so, they can ensure the college honor society that they’re considering meets specific standards, reducing a significant amount of risk.

If there is a local chapter at a student’s school, contacting leadership members is also worth doing. With that approach, students can learn more about the specific chapter’s activities and opportunities, allowing them to better gauge whether becoming a member is worthwhile.

Can Students Join Multiple Honor Societies?

Yes, students are generally allowed to join more than one honor society, and there are benefits to doing so. Students will have access to more resources and opportunities by securing membership in multiple organizations. Plus, they’ll expand their networking options significantly.

However, membership in multiple honor societies can get expensive. Students will owe dues or membership fees to each organization, and that can add up quickly. Additionally, every society may have time obligations students need to navigate. As a result, students need to ensure they can cover the financial and time-related requirements before they overextend themselves.

Are Honor Societies Worth It?

Honor societies can offer substantial benefits, making them a worthwhile consideration for students aiming to enrich their academic and professional journeys. Membership in these societies is often seen as a mark of academic excellence and distinction, recognizing a student’s academic achievements and dedication to their field of study.

Beyond the prestige, honor societies frequently provide valuable networking opportunities, connecting members with alums and professionals who can offer career advice, mentorship, and even job opportunities. These organizations often host conferences, workshops, and guest lectures that enhance both personal and professional development.

However, the value of joining an honor society can vary depending on the individual’s goals and the specific honors society in question. Some societies require a membership fee, which should be weighed against the tangible benefits received, such as scholarship opportunities, exclusive resources, and potential for leadership development.

Students are encouraged to research and assess the reputation and offerings of an honor society before committing. By aligning with a reputable organization that matches their academic and career objectives, students can maximize their membership benefits, turning an honor society into a pivotal part of their educational experience.

Is your student hunting for college scholarships? If so, we can help! If you and your student want to learn more about how to find these scholarship programs and opportunities, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve your spot today