Scholarships & Leadership Awards
Thank you for your interest in scholarship opportunities for Girl Scouts!
Aside from the scholarships found on this webpage, GSUSA has a compiled a list of universities/colleges, foundations, and Girl Scout councils that offer scholarships, awards, and grants to Girl Scouts. Good luck!
Earning your Girl Scout Gold Award is an excellent way to give any college or scholarship application that “something extra” to help you stand out from the crowd.
William & Ida Kiefer Memorial Scholarship 
Scholarship from Paul Smith's College
The Congressional Award Program
President's Volunteer Service Award
Girl Scouts encourages girls of all ages to take on leadership roles within their communities and beyond.
Girls can showcase their leadership skills and leave their mark by working on any of these unique opportunities.
Leadership Awards for All Ages
Global Action Award
Learn about global issues, connect with the global community, and take action to improve the world. Learn more about how to earn the Global Action Award.
Journey Summit Award
The Journey Summit Award can be earned by any Girl Scout who completes any three National Leadership Journeys at her Girl Scout level. The colored border around each pin corresponds to their Girl Scout level. This award is the highest award a Girl Scout Daisy and Girl Scout Brownie can earn.
Leadership Awards for Older Girl Scouts
Community Service Bar (Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors)
The Community Service Bar is earned by making a difference in the community and practicing the values of the Girl Scout Law. It is also a way for girls to get involved with a cause they care about. To earn the Community Service Bar, girls will select an organization to volunteer with and then provide at least 20 hours of community service to this same organization. Girls must track their own hours.
Counselor in Training (Seniors and Ambassadors)
Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors mentor young girls in a camp setting as they build skills toward becoming a camp counselor. To earn this award, Girl Scouts complete a two-week introductory leadership program where they will discover their leadership style, gain skills necessary for working with young people, and then work directly with younger campers. Assignments at camp will depend on the Girl Scout’s age and level. The CIT programs will vary by camp and may not be offered at all GSHNJ camps in a given season.
Leader in Action (LiA) Award (Cadettes)
Girl Scout Cadettes can earn a Leader in Action (LiA) Award by mentoring Girl Scout Brownies through a National Leadership Journey. While earning the LiA Award, girls share their unique skills, try out new leadership roles, and pass on important lessons from their own Journey(s). Information on earning the Leader in Action Award can be found in the Brownie Leadership Journey adult guides. Once a girl has earned the LiA Award and is ready for even more leadership opportunities, she can continue to work towards earning her Cadette Program Aide Award.
Program Aide (Cadettes)
To earn the Cadette Program Aide Award, Girl Scout Cadettes will complete these steps in order:
- Earn one LiA Award.
- Complete a council-sponsored leadership course. Work with our Girl Experience experts to develop your leadership skills, learn how to work with children, and gain a deeper understanding of the elements involved in planning and delivering Girl Scout programming. You can request a Program Aide Workshop for a minimum of 6 girls here.
- Work with younger girls over six activity sessions. This might be assisting girls on Journey activities (in addition to what was completed to earn the LiA Award), badge activities, or other sessions.
Service to Girl Scouting Bar (Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors)
The Service to Girl Scouting Bar is earned by volunteering at least 20 hours to the Girl Scout organization. Girls can volunteer at a special event for younger girls, be an office assistant for the council or local service unit, or help with other special projects. Girls should track their own hours.
Torch Award (Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors)
To earn the Torch Award, girls must first complete a Leadership Journey. Then they must serve at least one term in a leadership position at their school, town council, community center, or a similar organization. The length of service will depend on the term defined by the organization, or the specific position held by the Girl Scout.
Reminders:
- Each time you earn one of these awards, it should be earned for a distinct effort and you can only count the hours towards one award.
- Girl Scout leaders or advisors will approve and present these awards to their girl(s).
