What is the Great Debate? 

NHI's Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you are or know a young person committed to making meaningful change in the world, and are driven toward building up our community, NHI and the Great Debate experience is a must.

For over three decades, first-year NHI members have come to harness the power of their voices and engage with perspective-changing ideas. The Great Debate offers a rigorous learning experience for high-achieving, high-ability 9th-grade youth who aspire to community and civic leadership roles in the future.

What are the application requirements?

All participating students must:

• Upload a copy of their most recent report cards or transcripts upon registration
• Read the Parent Release Policy
• Complete and upload the Parent Release Form, which is due upon acceptance to the program
• NHI COVID Policies

What is the cost of the Great Debate?

Tuition for the Great Debates covers four to six days on a college in dorms, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college day exclusively for program participants, a staff-student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-Shirt, a certificate of participation, and a highly-motivating curriculum. Upon official acceptance to the program, NHI requires a 150.00 USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Families manage tuition in various ways from setting up an approved payment plan, seeking out sponsors, easy online fundraising, or even qualify for special select community grants. NHI makes it a point to work with each family on their specific plans for tuition.

Students who complete in the Great Debate will be granted all the rights, privileges, and honors of NHI membership, so long as they remain in good standing and will hence be invited to future opportunities for personal development as well as volunteerism and faculty development within the organization.

The cost of the Great Debate is broken down  into distinct fees, all of which will culminate in supplying your student with the adequate resources for a fulfilling and fun leadership experience :

• Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
• Great Debate Non-Refundable Deposit - $150
• Great Debate Tuition: $645 (does not include the $150 deposit)