Scholarships, Awards and Contests for Girl Scouts
 Colleges and universities recognize the merits of the Girl Scout experience by making scholarships and grants available to Girl Scouts and recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award.
Girls seeking scholarships should contact their high school guidance counselor or the financial-aid office at the school they wish to attend for information on any scholarships that might be available to Girl Scouts. Read a full list of scholarships for Girl Scouts on the STUDIO 2B Web site, the Girl Scout Web site for girls 11-17, for stories and more information about college scholarships.
If you have additional information on the availability of scholarships for Girl Scouts, write to:
College Scholarships
16th Floor
Girl Scouts of the USA
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-2798
Prudential Spirit of Community Award
The search is on to find our top youth volunteer!
Do you know a student who is in grades 5-12, is a legal resident of the United States and has engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least in part after September 1, 2009? I urge you to encourage any Girl Scout who has provided significant service to their communities through the implementation of a Take Action project over the past year to apply for the 2011 Prudential Spirit of Community Award! Girls who have recently earned their Silver and Gold Awards would be particularly good candidates!
This unique youth recognition program rewards top winners with sizable cash awards, engraved medallions and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, for the national awards ceremony in May, 2011! Thousands of Girl Scouts have won this award at the local, state and national levels!
Girl Scouts can apply online at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/spirit. Completed applications must be signed and submitted to Tammy Breen by 5:00 pm on November 1, 2010. We will then review applications and select the honorees that will represent our council in the state-level judging. If you have any questions or need a paper version of the application, please call toll-free 877-525-8491.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our girls to gain statewide or even national recognition for the wonderful and important work they have done!
BIC 4 GOOD Grants
Did you create a sustainable community action project, program or organization that you want to grow? Lack the funds to take your project to the next level? If you answered "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a BIC 4 GOOD Grant!
BIC 4 GOOD Grants are targeted towards established programs and organizations that have a large impact, proven sustainability, and measurable success. The best applicants are those that are self-driven, unique, community-oriented with measurable impact.
Ten outstanding projects or organizations will be awarded $2,000 BIC 4 GOOD Grants and 1 exceptional project or organization will be awarded the Grand Prize $5,000 BIC 4 GOOD Grant!
How much?: 10 $2,000 Grants and 1 Grand Prize $5,000 Grant
Deadline: June 15th. You will be notified whether or not you have won by July 6th
To apply, visit http://www.dosomething.org/grants/bic4good.
Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship
The Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) whose efforts have made a positive impact on their communities.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program. We are pleased to say that to date we have recognized more than 11,000 kids and awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarships and prizes.
And this year, Kohl’s plans to recognize an additional 2,100 kids with prizes ranging from $50 Kohl’s Gift Cards to $1,000 or $10,000 scholarships.
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
The Herter Scholarship was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to identify and recruit disadvantaged high school students in the 10th and 11th grade who demonstrate strong academic promise but whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may hinder their ability to attain a post secondary education and degree. The Herter Scholarship provides an incentive for those students to complete high school and to pursue higher education at an eligible post-secondary institution. Scholarships may be awarded for a maximum of four years. The deadline date for 2010 Herter applications is April 1, 2010. If you know of a deserving young lady in 10th or 11th grade that you feel should be nominated, please contact Tammy Breen at Tbreen@gscwm.org for an application.
Nominate a Girl Scout for a $2,500 Barron Prize!
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2010 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,500 to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30. For more information and to nominate, visit http://www.barronprize.org/.
American Legion Auxiliary Girl Scout Achievement Award
For full details about the ALA National Level Scholarship, as well as an application form, click here.
Girls Going Places College Scholarship
The Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program is Guardian Life Insurance’s annual initiative designed to reward the enterprising spirits of girls ages 12 to 18. Guardian awards prizes to 15 girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship; are taking the first steps toward financial independence; and make a difference in their schools and communities. Prizes totaling $30,000 are granted to three top winners and 12 finalists each year, to further their entrepreneurial pursuits or save for college. Applications are usually due in February. For more information and dates visit www.GirlsGoingPlaces.com or Guardian Life Insurance.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Girl Scouts are doing extraordinary things to make a difference in their communities. The Gloria Barren Prize for Young Heroes wants to honor them! The Barren Prize recognizes girls and boys ages 8 to 18 who have shown extraordinary leadership in making our world a better place. Whether by helping people, protecting the environment, halting violence, or leading other important service work, these young people are true heroes - and inspirations to us all. Nominees must have been the prime mover of the service activity and demonstrated positive spirit and high moral purpose in accomplishing their goals. While Girl Scouts are eligible for all of the awards, there is a specific one designated for a Girl Scout between the ages of 8 and 18. Recipients of the Barron Prize receive a cash award of $2,000, and their outstanding achievements are widely publicized. Nominations can be made by a responsible adult who is unrelated to the nominee and who has solid knowledge of the nominee and her work. Nomination packets with all required items must be received by April 30. For more information, call (970) 875-1448 or visit www.barronprize.org. You may also email questions to ba_richman@barronprize.org or write to The Barron Prize, PO Box 17, Boulder, CO 80306-0017.
Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation Scholarship
Academic Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language: The Foundation will award scholarships to deserving young women who have attained at least the honor of Silver Award Girl Scout, and who plan to or are currently pursuing a major/minor in foreign language at a four year college/university. The scholarship provides $1,500 per academic year. The scholarship may be renewed three times following the initial award, for a total $6,000 maximum award. Scholarship renewal is not automatic, however, and awardees must submit the renewal application and all required attachments each year.
Scholarship to Study Abroad: The Foundation will support Silver or Gold Award Girl Scouts who plan to study abroad, irrespective of major/minor. It is not necessary to be a Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language recipient to apply for this one time Study Abroad scholarship; nor are Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language recipients excluded from applying. The Scholarship to Study Abroad is not renewable. Applications may be submitted for studying abroad during first semester, second semester, summer, or the full academic year.
For more information about this scholarship, the Foundation or Corinne Jeannine Schillings, visit their website at www.cjsfoundation.org.
The International Leadership Network Young Achievers Award
The ILN is a national non-profit organization formed to recognize the leadership achievements of young people in grades 5-12 who are achievers, role models, good citizens, and competent scholars. All ILN Young Achievers receive Certificates of Achievement; fifty receive medallions for outstanding accomplishment; and three Young Achievers of the Year receive U.S. savings bonds worth $500 (grade 5), $1,000 (grades 6-8), or $1,500 (grades 9-12). In addition, three Young Achiever Leadership Awards are presented, one in each of the following categories: Leader of Tomorrow (grade 11), Mentor of the Year (grades 9-12), Musician of the Year (grades 5-12). Each will receive a $2,000 U.S. savings bond. Information can be found at www.YoungAchievers.us. The deadline to submit nomination forms is October 1.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships
The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.64 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs. The application process and deadlines vary for each program. All applications must go through a local Elks Lodge before reaching the Elks National Foundation office. Contact your high school counselor for more information or your local Elks Lodge. To find the Elks Lodge nearest you got to www.elks.org/lodges. The Most Valuable Student Scholarships, ranging from $1,000 per year to $15,000 per year, is for graduating high school seniors. Males and females compete separately and judging is based on financial need, leadership and scholarship. These Most Valuable Students Scholarships replace the Elks Gold Award Scholarships. Applications must be received by your local Elks Lodge usually by mid-January. Please visit their site for dates and information at www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm.
United Methodist Good Samaritan Award
The United Methodist Church has developed this award to recognize youth who demonstrate excellence in humanitarian assistance, outreach, or advocacy. Any student in grades 7-12 or between the ages of 12 and 18 who is affiliated with a United Methodist Church or is a member of a troop that meets in the church may be nominated for the award. The candidate should demonstrate significant personal and selfless contributions towards others or assistance to individuals in need and show outstanding service. The local church is responsible to determine the qualification of the award recipient. For more information and application, contact Office of Civic Youth-Serving Agencies/Scouting, P.O. Box 34006, Nashville, TN 37203-0006 or call (615) 340-7129.
VFW and Ladies Auxiliary Contests
The VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary sponsor several contests that older Girl Scouts might be interested in:
- Voice of Democracy - an audio essay based on a yearly theme for students in 9-12th grade (November deadlines)
- Patriot’s Pen - a written essay based on a yearly theme for students in 6-8th grade (November deadlines)
- Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards - an art contest for students in 9-12th grade (March deadlines)
- Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Award - for students who have provided outstanding volunteer service to their community, for students ages 12 to 15 (February deadlines)
If you are interested in entering or nominating someone, please contact Jean Duffy at (502) 254-9497 or by e-mail at boxflyer@aol.com.
Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship Program
More than $1 million in scholarships are available annually to high school juniors nationwide. Nine awards per state of $2,500 each and nine awards nationally of $25,000 each are awarded to juniors, based on: Community Service. Special Talents. Leadership, and Obstacles Overcome. Go to www.discoverfinancial.com for more information.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award
As another possibility for building college applications and resume credentials, you may also be interested in The President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes sustained commitment to volunteer service. The Award is given to individuals, families and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period.
Award recipients receive: An official President’s Volunteer Service Award pin ; A personalized certificate of achievement; A note of congratulations from the President of the United States; and A letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. For more information go to www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/.
Be sure to check out these sites:
http://www.girlscouts.org/for_adults/leader_magazine/2006_summer/route_to_success_english.pdf
http://www.greenoaks2001.org/seniors_gold_award_scholarship_information.htm - This page provides an overview of scholarships available to Girl Scouts.
FinAid.org - This page provides information about scholarships and financial aid for volunteering and community service. These scholarships reward you for helping others. It's a nice way of doing well by doing good.
FastWeb.com - This page offers on-line scholarships searches that will be customized to your individual skills and interests. Though you will be presented with a fair amount of advertising, FastWeb’s scholarship search is free, and its database is highly accurate and continuously updated.
Scholarships.com - Browse through 2.7 million free scholarships and grants worth over $19 billion.
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