Each year, students and community members across the country dedicate their time to serving others and we love recognizing that impact through the National Service Honor. One of the most common questions we receive is: “What service hours count toward the National Service Honor?”
To help make things clear, here’s a quick guide to what qualifies.
1️⃣ Do hours have to be served in the United States?
No! You do not need to serve within the United States for your hours to count. If you are volunteering through a nonprofit or community organization located outside of the U.S., those hours can still be submitted. Service has no borders and we celebrate impact wherever it happens.
2️⃣ Does the nonprofit have to be a verified National Service Honor partner?
No. The organization where you volunteer does not need to be an official National Service Honor (NSH) partner. What matters most is that you can provide verification for your service. As long as your hours are validated by the organization you served with, they are eligible for submission.
3️⃣ Can hours come from multiple organizations?
Absolutely. You can combine service hours from multiple organizations to meet the hour threshold for the award. Many recipients earn their honor through a mix of school-led projects, local nonprofits, and national service programs — as long as each set of hours is verified, they all count.
4️⃣ What are acceptable forms of verification?
Verification helps confirm that your service hours are accurate and authentic. Acceptable forms include:
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A signed hour log from the organization
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A letter from the organization listing your total service hours and signed by a supervisor
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A school-verified service portfolio, where each entry is validated by a school representative
As long as your documentation clearly shows your name, the organization, and the total hours served — you’re good to go.
Final Tip
When in doubt, remember: If it’s meaningful, verifiable service, it counts. Whether you volunteered locally or globally, through a campus initiative or a nonprofit you found on your own, your contribution matters — and it deserves to be recognized.