Scholarship & Awards

There are many reasons to stay in Girl Scouting, and not least of them is the prestige that comes along with earning badges, seeing the world through travel and achieving the Highest Awards.

There are a number of special scholarship opportunities that reflect the universally understood value in Girl Scouting.

The GSGCNWI Gold Award Scholarship is made possible by generous endowments to our council. High school seniors who received their Gold Award in our council are eligible to apply. In 2025, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana had the privilege and pleasure of signing scholarship letters for 10 girls to continue their education--totaling $50,000!

Applications will open Wednesday, April 1 and close at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, 2026. Check back on April 1 to apply!

CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The following components will be considered when reviewing this application:

Your Gold Award final report content
Your explanation of how this scholarship will help in your future studies and plans following graduation
Your potential as an advocate for Girl Scouting and the Highest Awards

PARAMETERS

The GSGCNWI Gold Award Scholarship is non-renewable.
Amount awarded will be given directly from GSGCNWI to the school when matriculation is confirmed.
Please see restriction section for policy on enrollment, deferment and withdrawal.

Gold Award Scholarship Fund

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

For All Girl Scouts

KPMG Future Leaders Scholarship toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Female high school seniors.

—What is it? The KPMG Future Leaders Program selects top female high school seniors from around the country to participate and receive a KPMG Future Leaders Scholarship of $10,000 per year through four years of college. Selected students attend a three-day retreat at Stanford University the summer before their freshman year of college. Students also participate in a year-long mentoring program, paired with a female leader participating in KPMG's Women's Leadership Summit.

Learn More »

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards toggle arrow

Who's eligible? Any Girl Scout Cadette, Senior or Ambassador; however particularly well-qualified candidates will likely be Silver and Gold Award recipients.

What is it? This program sponsored by Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes young people for their volunteer service. All state-level honorees will receive special recognition; top high school and middle school volunteers receive silver medallions, $1,000 awards, and an all-expense paid trip to the nation's capital for several days of national recognition events. The top 10 youth volunteers will be announced at a ceremony, and each will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for a charitable non-profit of their choice.

How do I apply?

Apply online at spirit.prudential.com
Email us when you apply: goldaward@girlscoutsgcnwi.org
GCNWI will select one local honoree for every 1,000 Girl Scouts in grades 5-8 and one local honoree for every 1,000 girls in grades 9-12. We will then certify those applications online to make applicants eligible for state-level judging.

Northwestern University's Civic Education Project toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Students in grades 7-12.

—What is it? An award-winning leadership and civic engagement program combining service-learning with academic study and reflection.

—How do I apply? Individuals must be nominated online.

Learn More »

E.S.T.E.A.M. Initiative's Barbara Hinton Bragg Memorial Scholarship toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who attend an E.S.T.E.A.M. partner school or organization or attend a Howard County public school; current community college students who are planning to transfer to a four-year institution; students who are applying or have been accepted into a four-year institution; students with a demonstrated interest in STEAM and the fine/performing arts.

—What is it? A $500 scholarship for students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, community service experience, STEAM and fine/performing arts experience.

—How do I apply? Complete the application and essay and submit via email.

Learn More »

Minerva College toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Gold Award recipients or Girl Scouts who have participated in Destinations or troop travel experiences.

—What is it? A four-year scholarship offered via partnership betweeen Minerva College and GSUSA. The scholarship covers half of the yearly tuition to Minerva College ($5,000).

—How do I apply? Eligible Girl Scouts who apply to Minerva will automatically be considered for the scholarship.

Learn More »

Walgreens Expression Challenge toggle arrow

-Who's eligible: High school teens 14-18.

- What is it? Express yourself! Submit your artistic expression for a chance to win up to $2,000. High school teens are challenged to submit their perspectives on various topics through their creativity.

- How do I apply? For more information and to enter, visit Expressions Challenge.

The Cooke Young Scholars Program toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? High-performing 7th grade students (earning mostly As and Bs) from households with low to moderate income levels.

—What is it? A selective five-year, pre-college scholarhship program that provides academic support and financial support. Specifically, this program provides:

An on-staff academic and college advisor
Funding for summer enrichment programs, supplemental academic classes, tuition for high school and assistance identifying challenging and suitable academic course loads
Study abroad and community service opportunities
Lessons to develop music, art and other talents
Computer and software
Special consideration for the Cooke Foundation's College Scholarship

Learn More & Submit an Application »

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Young women in grades 9 through 12 who are active and interested in computing and technology. To date, nearly 8,600 women have been honored with the Award for AiC.

—What is it? A multi-tiered award that includes a winner, honorable mention, and certificate of distinction designations at national and regional levels. Winners receive recognition at a Regional Affiliate event, engraved award, scholarship and internship opportunities, and more.

Learn More »

Gold Award and Or Emunah toggle arrow

The National Jewish Committee on Girl Scouting (NJCGS) will again offer a scholarship opportunity for post-high school education that can be applied for by Girl Scouts who have earned their Girl Scout Gold Award AND their Or Emunah Award, the NJCGS religious award that can be earned by Girl Scouts in 10th to 12th grade.

In addition to the Gold Award and Or Emunah requirements, applicants need to:

Submit the application form.
Complete a brief essay (200-300 words) describing how the applicant’s connection to Judaism has influenced her Girl Scout experience.
Submit at least one reference from a non-relative who knows about the applicant’s Girl Scout, Jewish and/or community activities.

The deadline for submitting all application materials is April 30, 2026.

Further requirements and details about the scholarship can be found in the application form at: https://www.njcgs.org/NJCGS-Scholarship-Application-Form.pdf

Further information about the National Jewish Committee on Girl Scouting and the Or Emunah Award can be found on our website: njcgs.orghttp://njcgs.org

Please share this information with any Girl Scouts you know who are in the process, or have completed, the qualifications for this scholarship.

Questions? Contact NJCGS.comm@gmail.com and include the word “Scholarship” in the subject of your email.

For Highest Awards Recipients

Minerva College toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Gold Award recipients or Girl Scouts who have participated in Destinations or troop travel experiences.

—What is it? A four-year scholarship offered via partnership betweeen Minerva College and GSUSA. The scholarship covers half of the yearly tuition to Minerva College ($5,000).

—How do I apply? Eligible Girl Scouts who apply to Minerva will automatically be considered for the scholarship.

Learn More »

Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Any Girl Scout who has earned at least her Silver Award and who plans to pursue an undergraduate college degree in the study of languages, or who is studying in a foreign country as enrichment for their undergraduate college program.

—What is it? The foreign language scholarship provides $1,500 per year and may be renewed three times following the initial award, for a total maximum of $6,000.

—How do I apply? The annual scholarship deadline is always in May. See website for more detailed information.

Learn More »

VFW Scout of the Year Award toggle arrow

- Who's eligible? Registered, active members of Girl Scouts who have received their Gold Award. Applicants must be 15 years of age and have demonstrated practical citizenship in school, scouting and the community. Note: Individuals must be enrolled in high school at the time of selection. All applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified.

- What is it? The VFW Scout of the Year program honors members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who display standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country with an opportunity to be rewarded with college scholarships of up to $5,000.

- How do I apply? Visit the VFW website for more information and to apply. Local VFW posts submit all candidates with full entry criteria to their respective VFW department (state) by April 1. From there, the department selects a winner and forwards the entry to the VFW national headquarters by May 1 for further judging.

Paul Smith's College Gold Award Scholarship toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Any incoming Paul Smith's College student who has earned their Gold Award.

—What is it? The $1,000 scholarship is renewable and offered in addition to other scholarships or grants offered by Paul Smith's College

—How do I apply? Applicants must submit a coyp of their award certificate or a letter from the Girl Scout council.

Learn More »

Carpe Diem Foundation of Illinois toggle arrow

—Who's eligible? Gold Award recipients and Eagle Scouts. Must be a graduating senior in high school or currently attending college/institution of higher learning.

—What is it? An ongoing scholarship in the amount of $1500 per year for up to four years.

—How do I apply? For current application information, please contact Gordon Levine.

Learn More »

Visit CollegeScholarships.org to search for more awards and scholarships available across the country.

Additional Scholarship Information from GSUSA.