Tau Sigma National Honor Society: Recognizing and Rewarding Transfer Student Excellence

Tau Sigma National Honor Society stands as the premier honor society dedicated to recognizing and promoting the academic achievements and involvement of transfer students. Founded in 1999 at Auburn University, Tau Sigma has grown to encompass over 100 universities nationwide, each committed to improving services for their transfer student populations. This article delves into the requirements for Tau Sigma scholarships, membership eligibility, and the organization's structure.

Tau Sigma's Mission and Structure

Tau Sigma's core mission is to "…recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students." This mission is upheld through a structured organization with a National Council overseeing its operations. The National Council consists of National Officers (President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer), the Executive Director, and three Board Members. This council holds the legislative and fiduciary responsibility of the organization.

The National President serves as the official head, calling and chairing meetings, signing charters and official documents, and submitting recommendations to the National Council. The Executive Director manages the national headquarters, handling finances, and providing annual financial statements to the National Council.

Chapters

Active chapters of Tau Sigma are established at accredited four-year colleges and universities. They have the autonomy to create By-Laws for local governance, provided these do not conflict with the national organization's Constitution and By-Laws. Each chapter has a President, Treasurer, and other officers as needed, along with an Administrative Advisor or Faculty Advisor.

Membership Requirements

Membership in Tau Sigma is by invitation only, extended to transfer students who demonstrate superior academic achievement. Invitations are typically sent out after a student's first semester at a new institution.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for membership, a student must meet the following criteria:

Transfer Status: The student must transfer to an institution of higher learning from another academic institution with at least one full year’s academic credits satisfied at the prior institution(s). All full-time Adelphi University transfer students with at least one full year’s academic credit satisfied at their prior institution are eligible to join.
Course Load: The student must be registered in a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree and have completed a number of hours equal to an average full load for one term (usually 12 to 15 semester hours).
Academic Achievement: Membership is based on superior academic achievement during the first term in which the student completes the equivalent of a full load (12-15 semester hours) at the transfer institution. Only credit hours that count toward a bachelor’s degree are considered. The minimum GPA required for membership is either a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent thereof) or an academic average that places the prospective candidate in the top 20% of all transfer students during the term in question.

Joining Process

Students who meet the eligibility requirements receive an invitation to join Tau Sigma. Interested students must complete the membership form and register via the online portal as indicated in the invitation’s instructions. A one-time membership fee of $35 grants lifetime membership. A portion of these funds go to the National Office and the remainder stays with our local chapter. This fee covers national membership fees and inclusion on the National Roll.

Tau Sigma Scholarships

Tau Sigma awards scholarships annually, ranging from $500 to $2,500, to recognize and support its members' academic pursuits.

Application Process

An application is made available each fall term and every local chapter may nominate at least one nominee to be sent to the Tau Sigma Scholarship Committee. The UF Delta Chapter of Tau Sigma will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Tau Sigma National Honor Society Scholarship. Any submissions received in the inbox past 11:59 pm (ET) will not be accepted. A committee will evaluate all entries and select two applicants that best represent the Delta Chapter to be nominated for the National Scholarship. The selected applicants will then be reviewed by the National Committee to award the scholarships to the Chapter members.

Eligibility for Scholarship

Only applicants enrolled in a college or university for at least one academic term during the calendar year 2025 are considered.

Read also: Financial Aid for DSP Members

Selection Criteria

While the National Scholarship Review Committee does not dictate the specific weight that each of the above criteria will carry, involvement in and service to the chapter and university will be weighed more heavily than the other criteria.

Benefits of Membership

Membership in Tau Sigma offers numerous benefits, including:

Scholarship Opportunities: Access to apply for national scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500.
Leadership Development: Opportunities to take on leadership roles within local chapters. Officer positions are available.
Networking: Connecting with fellow transfer students and faculty members. This new honor society at NLU will offer something for all transfers-from leading and learning to connecting and serving.
National Conferences: Eligibility to attend and participate in Tau Sigma's National Leadership Conferences, offering career development and leadership opportunities.

Additional Information

Insignia

The emblem of Tau Sigma is three strands of gold wheat with the Greek letters, Tau Sigma, superimposed thereon. The shield, which appears on the charter and the certificate, is burgundy with a gold border, with the emblem within. The name of the Organization shall be Tau Sigma.

Common Misconceptions

It is important to note that membership in Tau Sigma does not prevent students from joining other honor societies. Each honor society is a little bit different and recognizes the accomplishments of a different population of students.

Establishing a Chapter

To establish a chapter, first, the institution must be a 4-year and currently accredited by a regional accrediting association. Four year branch campuses which award baccalaureate degrees may be covered by the blanket accreditation awarded to the parent institution. Exceptions to this requirement can be considered by the National Council. Second, a report providing information regarding the institution shall be filed by an appropriate administrator with the Executive Director. Upon receipt of this information, the National Council will review promptly for a preliminary charter.

Read also: AST Scholarships

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