Scholarships

Explore scholarships and financial aid options

Girl Scout financial aid and scholarships cover membership, activity, and uniform fees. Graduating Girl Scouts are also eligible for scholarships and recognitions to help pay for college. (Adults can request a Girl Scout scholarship for membership and activity expenses.)

Another way to financially support Girl Scout involvement is through Activity Credits. Girl Scouts can earn Activity Credits by participating in the Annual Cookie Program. (We ask that you use Activity Credits before requesting additional funds.)

College Scholarships toggle arrow

Find different scholarships and recognitions that you may be eligible for as a Girl Scout. Don't forget that earning the Girl Scout Gold Award automatically sets you even further apart on any college or scholarship application.

For the most comprehensive list of Scholarship Opportunities, visit GSUSA's list of Scholarships.

Scholarship Opportunities:

Cornelia Benton Scholarship– awarded to graduating Girl Scouts in honor of “Cornie" Benton
Gold Award Scholarship – awarded annually to one Gold Award Girl Scout in each council

Cornelia Benton Scholarship toggle arrow

The Cornelia Benton Scholarship was started in 1991 before "Cornie" Benton passed in 2006. Cornelia lived the Girl Scout Promise for 82 years, making her the oldest Girl Scout in Utah! She joined at age 13, earning 24 proficiency badges and her Golden Eaglet through the age of 18.

Scholarship Purpose
Active Girl Scouts are awarded this prestigious scholarship based on their service to their community, leadership skills, and awards; through Girl Scouts, their community, their church, their school, or any other organization. This scholarship is based solely on service, leadership skills and positions, and awards received. 

Please do not disclose information such as GPA, SAT/ACT scores, or other academic record in this application as the committee will not be considering these factors in scoring.

Timeline

February 4	Scholarship application opens
April 4	Scholarship application closes
May 4	Awardees notified

Scholarship Application Requirements

Active registered Girl Scout – six years or more
Member of Girl Scouts of Utah
Graduating from high school this year
Documentation of community service, leadership positions, and awards received.
A one-page reference letter from an adult mentor who has witnessed you in a leadership position. The reference letter should address the reasons why you would be a good candidate to receive the Cornelia Benton Scholarship. 
No photos should be attached to application.

Scholarship Criteria

The scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria:

Continued and current active participation in Girl Scouting
Contribution to Girl Scouting and the community
Dedication to service, with an emphasis on the Girl Scout Highest Awards or equivalent
Communication skills – grammar, punctuation, and succinctness
Future goals and preparation
Application will be reviewed by the Cornelia Benton Scholarship Committee. The application and all communication given is on behalf of the Cornelia Benton Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship Application Instructions

Fill out the online application form
Send your reference letter to Girl Scouts of Utah. You can mail or email it, but it must be received by the application submission deadline.
- Mail to:
  Girl Scouts of Utah
  ATTN: Program Department
  445 East 4500 South, #125
  Salt Lake City, UT 84107
- Email to: programs@gsutah.org
Scholarship applications must be received on or before April 4. We will not accept late applications.
All applicants will be notified after May 4.

Both your application and reference letter must be received by the application submission deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact programs@gsutah.org or call (801) 265-8472.

Girl Scout Scholarships & Financial Aid

Scholarships and financial aid are available for Girl Scouts to cover the cost of membership, uniforms, events, programs, and camp, as well as part of the cost of GSUSA Destinations.

Membership toggle arrow

Financial assistance is available to girls who want a one-year Girl Scout membership with Girl Scouts of Utah. The Girl Scout membership year runs October 1-September 30 annually.

Our tiered financial assistance model is based on the National School Lunch Program's income eligibility guidelines for free or reduced lunch. No proof of income or participation is required—these guidelines simply serve as a tool to help families choose the tier that best fits their financial situation.

Once your financial aid has been processed, your Girl Scout membership will be complete and you will receive a confirmation email.

Uniform Components toggle arrow

Uniform component scholarships are available to girls who would like a Girl Scout uniform. Girls are eligible to apply once during each program level of Girl Scouts (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadettes, Senior, Ambassador).

Girls will receive a certificate for specific uniform pieces and a memory book from the Girl Scouts of Utah Shop. Items are limited to the following:

Tunic, sash, or vest
American Flag Patch
Council ID Strip Set
Troop Numerals
Insignia Tab
Membership Pin
WAGGS Pin
Memory Book

Qualifications

Must be a registered girl member with the Girl Scouts of Utah council.
Must not have received financial assistance for uniform and program materials previously for the same Girl Scout program level as their current request.

How to request a uniform components scholarship
Complete the uniform components form.

Award Notification and Redemption
Girl Scouts of Utah will respond by email within two weeks of receiving your request form. To receive the items, simply bring your certificate into any GSU shop to pick up your items within 90-days of confirmation email.

If you are unable to come into a shop or have any questions, give us a call at 801-265-8472 and we will assist you with selecting your items and answering any questions. You may also call to select your items and have a friend or family member pick up the order from the shop.

Note: Online orders are not eligible. Certificate only valid with GSU for the items listed on the certificate. Certificates are non-transferable.

Activity Scholarships for Events, Programs, and Camp toggle arrow

We offer numerous events, programs, and camps led by council staff, community partners, and Girl Scout volunteers. Girls may request up to three activity scholarships per membership year (October 1-September 30 annually).

Note: Girls are limited to one activity scholarship for a summer camp (overnight camp or Troop Camping).

Qualifications

Must be a registered girl member with the Girl Scouts of Utah council.
Must be registered for the event, program, or camp, including paying any required deposit at the time of registration (no deposit required for Troop Camping).
If a scholarship is needed to help cover a portion of the deposit for a specific event, program, or camp, email info@gsutah.org for support.

Additional Guidelines

Activity scholarships are for the event, program, or camp fees only. It does not account for add-on items, such as camp trading post, event or program memorabilia, transportation to and from the event/program/camp, additional meals, etc.
Activity scholarships are not granted for troop trips.
Events, programs, and camps must be Girl Scouts of Utah-sponsored (includes several service unit-led events and programs such as Never the Same Weekends and day camps).
Overnight camp and Troop Camping – If applying for an activity scholarship for overnight camp and/or Troop Camping, Activity Credits earned from the current year’s Cookie Program will be held and applied directly to your camp balance.

How to request an activity scholarship
Complete your activity scholarship form online.

Award Notification and Redemption
Girl Scouts of Utah will respond by email within two weeks* of receiving your request form. Activity scholarship award amounts are applied directly to the program, event, or camp balance. For service unit events, programs, and camps, the service unit will also be notified, and the scholarship amount will be given directly to them.

*Summer camp programs (June thru August): Award notices will be emailed by the first week of May and then ongoing throughout the summer as requests are received. Activity scholarship award amounts are applied directly to your camp balance.

Scholarships for GSUSA Destinations toggle arrow

Destinations are Girl Scouts trips offered by Girl Scouts of the USA. Activity scholarships are not available for Destinations; however, Girl Scouts of Utah covers a quarter of the event fee for Girl Scouts of Utah members who are accepted for a Destination (one Destination per Girl Scout per year).

Qualifications

Must be registered Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Girl Scout with Girl Scouts of Utah.
Must be accepted for a Destination program.
Note: Program applications must be received by published program registration deadlines.

How to request a Desinations scholarship
No action is required.

Award Notification and Redemption
Girl Scouts of Utah will notify girls by email with award information and how the award will be applied to their Destination balance.

Adult Scholarships

Scholarships are available for adults to cover the cost of events, programs, and camp.

Activity Scholarships for Events, Programs, and Camp toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Utah offers numerous events, programs, and camps led by council staff, community partners, and Girl Scout volunteers. Adults may request one activity scholarship per membership year (October 1-September 30).

Qualifications

Must be a registered adult member with the Girl Scouts of Utah council.
Must be registered for the event, program, or camp, including paying any required deposit at the time of registration (no deposit required for Troop Camping).
The event, program, or camp must require the attendance of the adult for the Girl Scout to attend (a girl/adult program or if the adult is serving as sfety ratio for a troop event). Scholarships will not be given for programs where an adult is not required.
If a scholarship is needed to cover a portion of the deposit for a specific event, program, or camp, email info@gsutah.org for support.

Additional Guidelines

Activity scholarships are for the event, program, or camp fees only. It does not account for add-on items such as camp trading post, event or program memorabilia, transportation to and from the event/program/camp, additional meals, etc.
Activity scholarships are not granted for troop trips.
Events, programs, and camps must be Girl Scouts of Utah-sponsored (includes several service unit-led events and programs such as Never the Same Weekends and day camps).

How to request a scholarship
Complete the adult activity scholarship form online.

Volunteer Training Scholarships toggle arrow

Adult volunteers may request a scholarship to attend a required training event or conference for their role or position within their troop or service unit. All approved scholarship payments will be processed internally by GSU. Participants will receive a payment confirmation and training confirmation email prior to the training course.

Scholarship recipients for GSU adult training opportunities must:

be registered members of Girl Scouts for one (1) year,
have a working knowledge of the Girl Scout program and policies,
and agree in advance of the training or other opportunity to the desired outcomes and expectations for sharing the experience.

Volunteers provided with a cash advance by GSU for conference or training event expenses must submit the expense report, receipts, and remainder of funds within 30 days following the event.

Volunteers may be reimbursed for travel over 100 miles within the council jurisdiction in accordance with current IRS guidelines. Carpooling is always encouraged and required for some mileage reimbursements.

Volunteers recognize the Girl Scout Movement as providing opportunity for voluntary service and do not expect, solicit, or receive monetary reimbursement for their time.

Request a training scholarship