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Frequently Asked Questions

At Golden Key, we’re here to help you.

We want to make your experience as enriching as possible, so if you have a question—whether
you’re a student member, officer, advisor or alumnus—don’t hesitate to contact us.
But first, check out frequently asked questions for each section. After all, great minds think alike.

About GK

What is Golden Key?

Golden Key is the world’s largest collegiate honor society. Membership into the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as top-performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements.

Golden Key has chapters at over 400 colleges and universities in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States.

Golden Key is a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Golden Key is registered regionally in Australia under the Australian Charities Not-for-profit Commission, New Zealand under the Charities Commission, Malaysia under the Register of Societies.

What are Golden Key’s mission and values?

Mission: To enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service.

Values: Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Diversity, Excellence and Engagement

Why should I join Golden Key?

The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through the three pillars: academics, leadership and service. Golden Key offers numerous scholarships and awards, available only to members, as well as career development, networking and literacy service opportunities and unique discounts from partner companies.

Who are Golden Key members?

Our members have included individuals such as Desmond Tutu, Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce & Marget Atwood and more. Golden Key membership has grown to a network of over 2 million members from more than 190 countries. Members include students from all over the world, faculty members, university staff, university presidents, teachers, doctors, engineers, social workers, entrepreneurs, politicians and military leaders, among others. There are also many prominent figures who are members.

When and how was Golden Key founded?

Golden Key National Honor Society was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga., on November 29, 1977. In 2001, the society changed its name to Golden Key International Honour Society to reflect its diversity and global presence. The spelling of “Honour” was utilized to follow the more globally accepted spelling.

Globally, Golden Key now operates in the following countries since

  • 1977 – United States of America
  • 1993 – Australia
  • 1997 – Canada
  • 1998 – Malaysia
  • 1999 – New Zealand
  • 2000 – South Africa
  • 2010 – The Bahamas

How is Golden Key governed?

Board of Directors – consisting of college and university presidents and vice presidents, higher education leaders, corporate leaders, Golden Key student and alumni members and founding members.

International Leadership Council – comprised of a president, vice president, secretary, alumni member and student member, elected by chapter voting delegates.

Council of Advisors – with one advisor for each region.

Council of Student Members – with one student member for each region.

What exactly is an honor society, and why haven't I heard of Golden Key before?

Honor societies have been recognized by universities in the United States for more than two centuries. The primary role of an honor society includes providing academic recognition to high-achieving students, and establishing professional and social contacts for these students within a network of universities. Honor societies also bring together students from diverse faculties and degree programs within each university and reinforce students’ interaction with university staff.

Golden Key has grown internationally and now operates at 400 universities and colleges across 8 countries.

Do I need to be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member?

No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the many benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary.

However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service, and enhance their personal network.

Corporate and nonprofit partners offer job opportunities, internships and special consumer programs/services to students.

News & Events

What type of events take place?

When Golden Key members join together, something magical happens. The bigger the event, and the more minds, experiences and cultures that are brought together, the more inspiration is produced. As a Society, we host an International Summit every other year, as well as multiple Regional Summits annually, where members can meet, mingle and truly make an impact. The International Summit offers members a unique opportunity to form relationships that can be invaluable through their professional lives. Golden Key also hosts large-scale events for its international community in Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United States.

The 2019 Leadership Summits were held in Chicago, Illinois, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Adelaide, South Australia, Houston, Texas and South Africa.

In what activities are Golden Key chapters involved?

Golden Key, at the international level, encourages its members to perform education-based service activities. Chapters are encouraged to organize activities that benefit and contribute to the welfare of their community. Giving back to the community through service and public works is a core Golden Key value. Local chapters organize leadership activities, professional development activities, speaker series, community service events, and more.

You can also find out more about Golden Key on our social media sites:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/GoldenKey
Facebook – www.facebook.com/gkaphq (Asia-Pacific)
WordPress (Blog) – http://goldenkeyhq.wordpress.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/golden_key
YouTube – www.youtube.com/GKIHS1977

How do I RSVP (confirm attendance) for an event?

Once your join payment has been completed (either online or through our office depending on your payment method), you should receive within 48 hours

* an email payment receipt;
* a join confirmation email

In your join confirmation email will be details regarding you member id, and a link to your university chapter’s New Member Recognition Event, if this is current and still listed to run. This link will take you to the registration page where you can confirm your attendance. Alternatively, you can sign in, and on the My Chapter menu after signing in you can view upcoming events for your chapter and register for those events.

Any questions regarding your chapter’s event or if you have not received a confirmation email can be emailed to your regional centre;

memberservices@goldenkey.org – USA/Canada/Bahamas
apac@goldenkey.org – Australia/New Zealand
malaysia@goldenkey.org – Malaysia
southafrica@goldenkey.org – South Africa

Members & Chapters

Why should I join Golden Key?

The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through the three pillars: academics, leadership and service. Golden Key offers numerous scholarships and awards, available only to members, as well as career development, networking and literacy service opportunities and unique discounts from partner companies.

Click here for details on the latest membership benefits.

In what activities are Golden Key chapters involved?

Golden Key, at the international level, encourages its members to perform education-based service activities. Chapters are encouraged to organize activities that benefit and contribute to the welfare of their community. Giving back to the community through service and public works is a core Golden Key value. Local chapters organize leadership activities, professional development activities, speaker series, community service events, and more.

You can also find out more about Golden Key on our social media sites:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/GoldenKey
Facebook – www.facebook.com/gkaphq (Asia-Pacific)
WordPress (Blog) – http://goldenkeyhq.wordpress.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/golden_key
YouTube – www.youtube.com/GKIHS1977

Do I need to be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member?

No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the many benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary.

However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service, and enhance their personal network.

Corporate and nonprofit partners offer job opportunities, internships and special consumer programs/services to students.

After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits?

Yes, a number of benefits are available to members after graduating with their undergraduate degree. A number of scholarship programs are available to fund graduate school, law school or medical school. Please see scholarship listing for eligibility and requirements. Golden Key holds virtual career fairs and provides additional resources for getting a job or applying to graduate school. Golden Key alumni members are eligible for other select member discounts and promotions after graduation. Members who have graduated can also remain involved with the local university’s Golden Key chapter (regardless of where you were inducted) if desired.

Golden Key will continue to stay in touch with you after your graduation to remind you of member benefits. Just remember to keep your contact information updated with Golden Key online.

Are graduate students allowed to join?

Rules vary by country. In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa* and the United States, graduate students can join. In Malaysia, graduate students are not eligible for membership.

U.S. chapters may elect to conduct a graduate student mailing membership campaign. The invitations are extended to top performing graduate school students. Because eligibility varies, please contact the chapter advisor at your university or Golden Key Headquarters for more information.

If your undergraduate institution has a Golden Key chapter, and you met that chapter’s membership requirements as an undergraduate, you can join at your undergraduate university. Your certificate of membership in Golden Key must be based on your undergraduate grades. Your certificate will be mailed to you. However, you can choose to attend and be recognized at the upcoming New Member Recognition Event at your current university. When you arrive at the event, please have your name added to the list of new members who will be called during the ceremony.

To join, please submit a copy of your transcript here https://www.goldenkey.org/golden-key-eligibility.   The transcript does not have to be official, but it must contain your name, cumulative course hours and grade point average. Course audit reports and individual semester/quarter reports are not acceptable. When submitting a transcript for consideration, please make sure to include your mailing address, telephone number and email address.

*In South Africa, graduate students are allowed to join Golden Key if their cumulative average of their undergraduate studies placed them in the top 15% of their respective faculty.

How does Golden Key help me with jobs and internships?

Golden Key partners with corporate and non-profit organizations, offering members internship and career opportunities.

How is the membership fee used?

The membership fee is shared between the local chapter and international headquarters. The membership fee funds membership benefits and supports local chapters in a variety of ways including:

  • Local chapter scholarships where applicable
  • New Member Recognition Event
  • Society scholarships for members
  • Local academic, service and social activities
  • International Summit
  • Headquarters support to chapters (staff support, mailings, technology, benefits development, public relations)
  • And more

I am already a member of another honor society. Does that mean I am already a member of Golden Key, or are these organizations related?

Golden Key is not affiliated with any other honor societies, therefore it is necessary for you to accept membership using the Golden Key invitation you received to obtain your membership in this society.

You may see your local chapter of Golden Key partnering with other organizations for service, social and academic projects, however, to become a true member of Golden Key, you will have to adhere to Golden Key’s application process.

The things that set Golden Key apart from many other collegiate honor societies on campus are its efforts to provide opportunities beyond recognition and to cater to the needs of students approaching graduation, continuing education and the job market. We accomplish this by providing scholarships on the local and international levels, by promoting service participation by each chapter, by involving students as chapter and society leaders, and offering career assistance and networking opportunities.

New Chapter Chartering

Golden Key is not present on my campus, can I still join?

If your institution does not have a chapter, there are two routes to becoming a Golden Key member. Before you get started with the chartering process, click here to learn if you qualify as an individual member. You can also elect to join as an individual member. You may also contact TRoss@goldenkey.org for any questions regarding starting a chapter on your campus.

My college/university does not have a chapter. How do I start one?

Starting a Golden Key chapter at your college/university is easy. First, be sure to follow your college/universities requirements for starting a new student organization on campus. Often times, this will require a chapter advisor and a minimum number of interested students to form an organization. Once you have approval from your institution you may fill out the prospective charter application, which can be downloaded from our website. The charter application outlines Golden Key International Honour Society requirements. Please return your completed application to tross@goldenkey.org.  Chapter funding and local scholarship opportunities will be available when the chapter reaches 35 new members.

How much funding will the chapter receive initially?

Each Eligible chapter will receive an initial funding of 750 dollars (once reaching 25 new members), and will be eligible to receive additional funds (up to 750 dollars) to attend a Golden Key International/Regional Leadership Summit.

Who is eligible to be a chapter advisor?

Any full time, faculty, staff or administrator at your college/university is eligible to serve as a chapter Primary Advisor.

How many officers should I have? Which positions should be filled?

Your chapter can have any number of officers and fill any position that you wish. We ask that you think through the roles and responsibilities of each officer position that you fill in order to maximize the positive experience they will have as an officer while also fitting the needs of your chapter. In other words, make sure there is enough work to go around. Typically, Golden Key chapters small and large will have a President, VP, Secretary, and Treasurer. You may want to consider individuals taking on additional roles such as:  Service Chair, Webmaster, and Recruitment Chair.  Golden Key pays for the membership fees for the first 5 chartering officers before the membership drive starts.

What kind of time commitment is involved in starting a chapter as a leader or as an advisor? USA

As the old saying goes, “You get out what you put in”. Your individual time commitment will vary. It is mostly dependent upon the process involved in starting a new student organization at your college/university. Additionally, it will depend on your ability to identify campus advisors and interested officers to assist in the chartering process. As with any class project or term paper, starting can be the most challenging aspect. Golden Key is here to assist during this process and has many resources at your disposal.

What benefits can student officers or an advisor expect from chartering a chapter of Golden Key? USA

The benefits of becoming a charting member of a Golden Key chapter are many. The first five students that are inducted as the chartering officers will have their membership fee waived. Chapter advisors and other honorary members from your University will also have their membership fee waived as well. Chartering a chapter also opens the doors for a multitude of resources at your disposal as well as all the rights, privileges, and member benefits of a Society member.  Lastly, there are scholarships opportunities set for chartering officers—you can learn more about this by contacting the Expansion Lead at: tross@goldenkey.org.

What are the expectations of new chapters, if any? USA

New chapters are held to the same standards as existing chapters within the Society. They must adhere to any/all local college/university requirements in addition to adhering to Golden Key International Society bylaws. Minimum requirements of each chapter in order to stay within good standing with the Society also include: maintaining regular communication with Society HQ’s representatives, hosting a membership drive once per academic year, maintaining one/two active advisors, and possibly having local chapter events as well.

Chapters are expected to host a membership drive, but what is a membership drive? USA

Because membership into Golden Key is by invitation only, we collaborate with each college/university that we have chapters at to identify the top 15% of eligible sophomores-seniors, and top performing graduate students (3.8 and above). Once the top 15% of students has been identified we invite them to join the Society through our invitation process. This is commonly referred to as a membership drive. The membership drive is a 80 day long process where eligible members are informed of their academic achievement and are invited to become a member. We strongly encourage chapters to host information sessions, chapter events, and other activities during this process in order to get as much publicity out to prospective members during this time. At the end of the 80 day membership drive chapters host a new member recognition event to publicly recognize student’s academic achievement. .

I am ready to turn in the charter application. How long does it take to get approval?

Once you have turned in the prospective charter application, our expansion lead will let you know it has been received. Your application will be reviewed by Golden Key’s International Leadership Council for approval/denial. This process should take anywhere between 7-30 days. If your charter is approved, you will be contacted by the expansion lead with an official congratulatory/welcome message on behalf of the Society.

Once my chapter has been approved, what are the next steps?

Once your chapter has been approved and you receive your congratulatory/welcome message on behalf of the Society, the expansion lead will also contact you to provide a broad overview of the Society and to begin the process of building your chapter.

To where/who do I turn to for questions and resources? USA

Please contact TRoss@goldenkey.org with any questions. During the beginning phases of establishing your chapter you will work with a member of the expansion team.  After your chapter is up and running you will make a seamless transition into your region, where you will become acclimated with the regional director (Associate Director, AD for short) who oversees chapters in the region to which your chapter will belong. Your AD will be your point of contact after your transition.

Alumni

After graduation, will I continue to receive benefits?

Yes, a number of benefits are available to members after graduating with their undergraduate degree. A number of scholarship programs are available to fund graduate school, law school or medical school. Please see scholarship listing for eligibility and requirements. Golden Key holds virtual career fairs and provides additional resources for getting a job or applying to graduate school. Golden Key alumni members are eligible for other select member discounts and promotions after graduation. Members who have graduated can also remain involved with the local university’s Golden Key chapter (regardless of where you were inducted) if desired.

Golden Key will continue to stay in touch with you after your graduation to remind you of member benefits. Just remember to keep your contact information updated with Golden Key online.

Joining GK

Why should I join Golden Key?

The Society offers members valuable opportunities for individual growth through the three pillars: academics, leadership and service. Golden Key offers numerous scholarships and awards, available only to members, as well as career development, networking and literacy service opportunities and unique discounts from partner companies.

Click here for details on the latest membership benefits.

In what activities are Golden Key chapters involved

Golden Key, at the international level, encourages its members to perform education-based service activities. Chapters are encouraged to organize activities that benefit and contribute to the welfare of their community. Giving back to the community through service and public works is a core Golden Key value. Local chapters organize leadership activies, professional development activities, speaker series, community service events, and more.

In July 2014, Golden Key launched SPARK a Change, our new global service initiative. The mission of SPARK a Change is to impact and improve the lives of at-risk youth (ages 0-17) through literacy, education and real-world preparedness. Golden Key chapters around the globe plan SPARK events each year to help us reach our goals of raising $40,000, dedicating 400,000 hours of service and impacting 400,000 lives by 2017.

You can also find out more about Golden Key on our social media sites:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/GoldenKey
Facebook – www.facebook.com/gkaphq (Asia-Pacific)
WordPress (Blog) – http://goldenkeyhq.wordpress.com/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/golden_key
YouTube – www.youtube.com/GKIHS1977

What are the Terms & Conditions of Golden Key membership?

Asia-Pacific

1. Membership to Golden Key International Honour Society is facilitated through partner universities whereby students who meet the criteria of being in the top 15% of their cohort are extended a formal invitation to join.

2. Without access to top 15% benchmarks at local universities, the society reserves the right to approve at its discretion.

3. The membership fee, as stipulated on our website and updated from time to time, is for lifelong membership. There are no subsequent renewals or premiums.

Lifetime is defined as lifetime of the product. If the product is ever discontinued, Golden Key International Honour Society has no liability to continue to provide the services and the user agrees that all services have been fully delivered and were satisfactory. There is no continuing liability on the behalf of Golden Key International Honour Society with regards to the user.

4. Membership includes various benefits as provided by the Society.

5. Benefits provided to members at the time of joining are subject to adjustment without notice.

6. Members have access to their online profile by supplied login details where profile, program, and benefits are facilitated.

7. Golden Key will send out information relevant to members from time to time via various mediums. These may include information on events and initiatives, partner opportunities, and general Society news. Members may adjust their contact permissions at any stage.

8. All members of Golden Key may choose to stand as an elected officer within their local chapter committee.

9. Participation of members within Society events and initiatives, while recommended, is entirely voluntary.

10. Refer to our order and shipping policy for fulfillment information.

11. Refer to our privacy policy for more information – Golden Key respects your privacy and does not have access to your student records.

I didn’t get the invitation but I meet the requirements. How can I join?

Please refer to your country of join below:

In the
USA,
Canada, &
The Bahamas:

You can contact the chapter advisor on your campus. If you are unable to reach the chapter advisor, please call the Golden Key Headquarters at 1-800-377-2401 or email memberservices@goldenkey.org.You can also contact your country’s local office.

First, we’ll check to see if you are on our invitation list. If your name is on the list, we’ll give you a replacement invitation immediately. It’s possible we did not receive your current address from the university or the letter was lost in the mail. If not on our invitation list, you have three options:
1. Secure a copy of your transcript or grade report (the copy mailed to you or an unofficial copy printed from an online source). Please bring this transcript to the Golden Key chapter advisor or the chapter’s information table.2. Email checkpoint@goldenkey.org with a copy of your transcript to secure your personal online join authorization code. 3. Mail a copy of your transcript to:

Golden Key International Honour Society
Attn: Member Services
1040 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 900
Atlanta, GA 30338
In
Australia/
New Zealand:
Your results will need to be verified, and this may take some time. You should forward a copy of your academic transcript results within the last two years (we do not have access to your records) to:
apac@goldenkey.org
   
In Malaysia: We are only able to review requests from students at universities where Golden Key is currently active. You should forward a copy of your academic transcript results within the last two years (we do not have access to your records) to:
malaysia@goldenkey.org
In South Africa: We are only able to review requests from students at universities where Golden Key is currently active. You should forward a copy of your academic transcript results within the last two years (we do not have access to your records) to:
southafrica@goldenkey.org

I meet Golden Key’s requirements, but I haven’t received an invitation letter. Why not?

There are several reasons why this may have occurred.

In the USA; if you just became a sophomore last semester or last quarter, you were not included in the registrar’s  list.

The list from the registrar may have been generated before last semester’s/quarter’s grades were posted.
If you recently moved, your letter may have been mailed to the wrong address.
You may have requested the registrar’s office to not include you in the invitations where this is possible.
For some reason unknown to us, the registrar’s office did not provide us your name or address.
Your letter of invitation may have been sent to your permanent address.
The invitation could be lost in the mail.

How much does it cost to join Golden Key?

There is a membership fee when you join. This fee can change at any time in any region without notice.

Australia – AUD 100*
Canada – CAD 95
Malaysia – MYR 418
New Zealand – NZD 115*
South Africa – ZAR 770* (or R890* with Lapel Pin)
The Bahamas – USD 95
United States – USD 95

*Includes local GST/VAT where applicable

I don’t have the money to join now. What can I do?

In the U.S., Canada and Asia Pacific, the invitation to join is good for one year from the postmark date on the letter. In South Africa, members must join within the same calendar year of their invitation (by December 1). Partial payment of the membership fee is not accepted. Complete payment of fees must accompany the Membership Acceptance Form.

Is there a refund policy for the membership fee?

New Golden Key members may request a full refund of the membership fee if you are not on the payment plan. There are different rules for each region. Please see below for country specific details and contact points.

USA/Canada – For  a refund request for the standard one-time payment  for the lifetime membership, please email dzellner@goldenkey.org within 14 days of the payment. After 14 days, a refund will no longer be available.

Payment Plan – If you select the payment plan option, your membership fee will be divided into three equal payments including an added fee for the payment plan program. The first payment is charged when you first join and then the next payment a month later and the final payment a month after that. You will become an active lifetime member after the first payment is made (the day you join). You may apply for Golden Key scholarships as soon as you join, however, you will not be eligible to receive scholarships until all payments are completed. Additionally, there is no refund of monthly payments made for people who decide to use the payment plan option.

Asia-Pacific – There are no refunds available for membership and merchandise in this region for change of mind.  Please take time to make your purchase.  Your membership allows access to benefits instantly. Please access a copy of your membership validation through your member profile. 

Payment Plan – If you select the payment plan option, your membership fee will be divided into three equal payments including an added fee for the payment plan program. The first payment is charged when you first join and then the next payment a month later and the final payment a month after that. You will become an active lifetime member after the first payment is made (the day you join). You may apply for Golden Key scholarships as soon as you join, however, you will not be eligible to receive scholarships until all payments are completed. Additionally, there is no refund of monthly payments made for people who decide to use the payment plan option.

Any questions can be emailed to your regional centre;
apac@goldenkey.org – Australia/New Zealand
malaysia@goldenkey.org – Malaysia

South Africa– Membership & Merchandise Terms and Conditions.

Global Merchandise – Golden Key merchandise is non-refundable. From the time payment is received and merchandise is ordered, there will be no changes, cancellations or refunds. If there is an issue with an item that you receive, please contact your appropriate country email contact.

Now that I have received the invitation and want to join, what do I do?

You can accept your membership invitation by doing one of the following: (check out the How to Join page as well)

A. Join online via our secure website (US, Canada, and Asia-Pacific region only). Your letter of information or email will provide you with specific instructions on how to accept your membership and pay online. If you have lost your letter please reach out to your local regional office.

memberservices@goldenkey.org – USA/Canada/Bahamas
apac@goldenkey.org – Australia/New Zealand
malaysia@goldenkey.org – Malaysia
southafrica@goldenkey.org – South Africa

B. Begin the join process online (US, Canada and Asia-Pacific region only), then print out the completed form and mail with the payment to your local headquarters.

Be recognized! Attend the new member recognition event for all new members; though you may bring as many guests as you like, the favor of a RSVP may be asked by your chapter for planning purposes.

I joined last year, and I received another invitation this year. Do I have to join and pay the membership fee again?

No, you don’t have to pay another fee to become a Golden Key member. You are only required to pay the Golden Key membership joining fee at the point when you joined the Society. There are several reasons why you received another invitation:

  • Your name on our record, as you provided to us previously, does not perfectly match what the registrar recently provided us. Because the university does not provide us with unique identifier information, e.g. social security number, we were not certain if the name provided to us recently was you. Please disregard the invitation you received this year.
  • If you recently changed your name, we were not able to tell if you are a member. Please disregard the invitation and update your information with us by logging into your profile www.goldenkey.org. If you suspect that your information in our database is not accurate, we encourage you to go to the website to update your information.
  • You are now at another university and we did not know that you transferred. Please contact our Member Services department to have this updated by email at memberservices@goldenkey.org.

I have lost my letter of invitation. Can I get another one from you?

USA:
Yes. Contact the chapter advisor at your school. Indicate that you received the invitation but you need another one. Be sure to provide your full name and your current mailing address. The advisor will verify that you are on the invitation list and mail you a replacement invitation. If you are unable to reach the chapter advisor, e-mail memberservices@goldenkey.org.

Canada: No. You can request an email invitation be sent to you. Please contact isankey@goldenkey.org.

Asia-Pacific:
No. We are only able to supply a replacement invitation code after verification of your eligibility. Due to privacy regulations, Golden Key does not have access to your student records. Once the annual invitation mail out in conjunction with your university is completed the letters can no longer be reprinted. Email us at apac@goldenkey.org

South Africa:
Yes.  Please contact the Golden Key South Africa office at southafrica@goldenkey.org and include your name, surname and university.  An invitation will be emailed to you after confirming your eligibility.

Do I have to pay annual membership dues?

No. There is a one-time membership fee that is paid when an individual joins. Once you join, you are a lifetime member and never have to pay annual fees or dues.

Refer to the following FAQ for updated current membership fees.

I’m already a member, but I have not heard anything from the Society since I joined. Why not?

It is important that both the local chapter officers and Golden Key Headquarters know that you wish to remain connected with us and that we have your most current contact information.

Ensure that international headquarters has your correct information by updating your contact information via the Golden Key website. Sign in on the site and click “My Profile” in the toolbar above. From here you can update your email address and other contact information. You should also attend local chapter programs or meetings. This is often how the local chapter knows that you wish to be active with the chapter.

Please reference your confirmation email for your Golden Key Member ID.

I recently transferred to my current school/university. Can I join?

If the university accepts or recognizes a transfer GPA/academic percentage average, the student can join Golden Key if the other criteria are met. There is also an opportunity to join as an individual and start a chapter on your campus. Click here to learn how.

Scholarships & Awards

What scholarships are available?

Golden Key offers thousands of dollars (USD) in scholarships annually (since 2011). Click here for more details on each scholarship, application deadlines and application forms. These scholarships are only available to Golden Key members and they have different application dates and eligibility criteria. Applications are judged by a third-party, independent of Golden Key. If you have questions about a scholarship, please email CYarbrough@goldenkey.org.

Are the scholarship application deadlines strict deadlines?

Yes. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by the indicated postmark deadline. The postmark deadline for each scholarship is listed directly under the scholarship name.

The scholarship application requires a GPA. My country uses a different GPA, what do I do.

GPA’s vary from country to country, and even within Australia these vary as well, from a 4 point system to a 7 point system. In New Zealand cumulative GPA’s do not apply. For this reason members will need to calculate the corresponding GPA themselves. Outside of the USA we suggest where this needs to be uploaded that scholarship applicants include a simple covering letter for the panel highlighting they are from a different region, though the panel is aware of this.

An excellent GPA calculator to convert back to the USA scale can be found here.

For Australia GPA information refer to this link.

For New Zealand GPA information refer to this link.

For Malaysia Education information refer to this link.

For South Africa GPA in formation refer to this link.

Are scholarships given at each local chapter? USA/ Canada

Yes. Every year, each local chapter in the US and Canada will award at least one scholarship to chapter members. These scholarships are called the Golden Key Chapter Scholarships. All new members whose acceptances are received by the membership deadline at the international headquarters are eligible for the scholarship. For U.S. winners, Golden Key requires a completed W-9 form for disbursement of scholarship funds.

The scholarship recipients are chosen by the local chapter leadership. Factors for selection include academic accomplishments, leadership in collegiate activities, and participation in extracurricular activities (including Golden Key, work and family commitments, and community service.)

How do I apply for scholarships?

Please visit https://www.goldenkey.org/scholarships-awards/how-to-apply-and-results/ for complete details on applying for scholarships.

When will I find out the results of a scholarship I applied for?

Please visit https://www.goldenkey.org/scholarships-awards/how-to-apply-and-results/ for complete details on notification of winners and non-winners.

Program & Privileges

How does Golden Key help me with jobs and internships?

Golden Key partners with corporate and nonprofit organizations, offering members internship and career opportunities.

How is the membership fee used?

The membership fee is shared between the local chapter and international headquarters. The membership fee funds membership benefits and supports local chapters in a variety of ways including:

  • Local chapter scholarships where applicable
  • New Member Recognition Event
  • Society scholarships for members
  • Local academic, service and social activities
  • International Summit
  • Headquarters support to chapters (staff support, mailings, technology, benefits development, public relations)
  • And more

Do I need to be involved in activities to be a Golden Key member?

No, Golden Key was founded on the principle that any student who meets the established academic criteria can become a member and access the many benefits offered. Participation is highly encouraged and purely voluntary.

However, Golden Key provides one of the best networks of opportunities to actively participate at the local, regional, national and even international level. Thousands of Golden Key members have utilized the opportunities in Golden Key to develop their leadership skills, engage in community service, and enhance their personal network.

Corporate and nonprofit partners offer job opportunities, internships and special consumer programs/services to students.

How does Golden Key help me with jobs and internships?

Golden Key partners with corporate and nonprofit organizations, offering members internship and career opportunities.

I am already a member of another honor society. Does that mean I am already a member of Golden Key, or are these organizations related?

Golden Key is not affiliated with any other honor societies, therefore it is necessary for you to accept membership using the Golden Key invitation you received to obtain your membership in this society.

You may see your local chapter of Golden Key partnering with other organizations for service, social and academic projects, however, to become a true member of Golden Key, you will have to adhere to Golden Key’s application process.

The things that set Golden Key apart from many other collegiate honor societies on campus are its efforts to provide opportunities beyond recognition and to cater to the needs of students approaching graduation, continuing education and the job market. We accomplish this by providing scholarships on the local and international levels, by promoting service participation by each chapter, by involving students as chapter and society leaders, and offering career assistance and networking opportunities.

Merchandise

Where do I purchase other Golden Key merchandise, including additional Golden Key pins and/or charms? What is the merchandise refund policy?

Golden Key merchandise can be purchased by going HERE and logging in. Merchandise is non-refundable, nor can an order be cancelled once it has been placed.

How long does it take to receive my merchandise? Merchandise is shipped within 72 hours unless if it is a Made-To-Order item. All orders have a tracking number when they are shipped. Please refer to this tracking number when you have questions about delivery times.

Canada Orders – Most orders are shipped within 72 hours and have tracking numbers. Some orders including the personalized certificate, GK pin, and GK charm can take up to two weeks to ship and do not have tracking. Orders typically arrive within three weeks.

Australia Orders – All orders travel via Australia Post standard shipping. For an estimated delivery time, please refer to the carrier site linked below.^

Australia Post Delivery Timetable

Order Processing and Customs Duty Charges 

The Golden Key Office is open Monday to Friday. Orders made on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will begin processing on Monday the following week. 

Merchandise may be subject to a custom duty fee. Golden Key is not responsible for any of these charges. Please reach out to your local government to understand any fees associated prior to your order. 

*Attention: Orders made at peak times may take longer to arrive.

^Please note that international (outside Australia) will take longer

Refund Policy for Golden Key Merchandise

Golden Key merchandise is non-refundable. From the time payment is received and merchandise is ordered, there will be no changes, cancellations or refunds. If there is an issue with an item that you receive, please contact your appropriate country email contact. Merchandise may be subject to a custom duty fee. Golden Key is not responsible for any of these charges. Please reach out to your local government to understand any fees associated prior to your order. 

US – memberservices@goldenkey.org
Canada – ISankey@goldenkey.org
Asia-Pacific – apac@goldenkey.org
South Africa – southafrica@goldenkey.org

Please refer to local pages within your country selection for more specific regional details.

Canada – You may purchase a membership certificate when you join or visit the Shop page after logging in to www.goldenkey.org at any time after you join.

Asia-Pacific – For those attending the New Member Events, you must RSVP and a certificate of recognition will be given to you on the night.   Please ensure you attend the event if you have RSVP’d, any certificate not claimed on the night will not be held. You may also purchase a membership certificate when you join or visit the Shop page after logging in to www.goldenkey.org at any time after you join.

Any questions can be emailed to your regional centre;
apac@goldenkey.org – Australia/New Zealand
malaysia@goldenkey.org – Malaysia

How do I RSVP (confirm attendance) for an event?

Once your join payment has been completed (either online or through our office depending on your payment method), you should receive within 48 hours

* an email payment receipt;
* a join confirmation email

In your join confirmation email will be details regarding you member id, and a link to your university chapter’s New Member Recognition Event, if this is current and still listed to run. This link will take you to the registration page where you can confirm your attendance. Alternatively, you can sign in, and on the My Chapter menu after signing in you can view up coming events for your chapter and register for those events.

Any questions regarding your chapter’s events, please email directly to your region below;

memberservices@goldenkey.org – USA/Bahamas
isankey@goldenkey.org – Canada
apac@goldenkey.org – Australia/New Zealand
malaysia@goldenkey.org – Malaysia
southafrica@goldenkey.org – South Africa

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