Should I Pay Money To Join an Honors Program?

Be wary of national “honors” organizations that charge a fee to join, “invitations” to pricey summer programs that are supposedly sent only to top scholars, and fee based scholarship websites.

Students will be referred to join the National Honor Society by MCHS staff, not an outside source.

The “selective” summer programs that woo students with snazzy invitations are often well-run opportunities for teenagers to learn about career fields like medicine or law or about “leadership.” Those students who take part usually find them worthwhile (or at least fun). So if your child is interested, and you can afford the cost without flinching, you need not say no. But, as with the “honor” societies, participation in these by-invitation-only programs is NOT a fast track to a top-choice college, and some admission folks will even roll their eyes when they spot them on applications.

You may see these types of solicitations both in high school and in college. Please be wary.

Also, there are many scholarships available for free and many websites that list several scholarships for free. 

Please see the "FAFSA and Scholarships" section.