Selling boxes of cookies around the neighborhood as a young Boy or Girl Scout really does pay off. Not only does it help raise money for Boy or Girl Scout activities, but also provides great college opportunities.

Personal growth through self-reliance, initiative, and the vitality and acts of self-less service are not the only things one can gain from being a Boy or a Girl Scout. College education is also provided to those who truly express excellence in the fields of academe and scouting. If you have been a former Boy Scout or Girl Scout, no matter which state you are from, there are numerous college scholarship programs that you can take advantage of.

Scholarships Just for Scouts

College is costly, but luckily for the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, many organizations, groups, and individuals are willing to give financial assistance through their scholarship programs. Just some of the sponsors of scholarship programs for Boy and Girls Scouts include the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the National Eagle Scout Scholarship, the Elks National Foundation Eagle Scout Scholarship, the Mable and Lawrence S. Cooke Scholarship, and the American Legion for Scouts. An active involvement in scouting and other community activities, impressive accomplishments, and a need for financial assistance are the primary bases for qualification of these scholarship programs.

Some ethnic-minority and religious groups are also willing to dole out financial assistance to Boy and Girl Scouts who want to pursue college degrees. In New York, the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting gives out scholarship grants that are worth a thousand dollars each. Likewise, the National Jewish Committee on Scouting offers three different kinds of scholarship grants for outstanding Boy and Girl Scouts: the Florence and Marvin Arkans Eagle Scout Scholarship Program, the Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Program, and the Chester M. Vernon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Program.

Aside from these different organizations and groups, there are also a lot of colleges and universities who help fund the college education of many Boy and Girl Scouts. Most of these scholarship programs are for those who have achieved the highest level of accomplishment in scouting—the Eagle Scouts. In Pennsylvania, two colleges, namely the Albright College in Reading and Lebanon Valley College, offer scholarships for high-ranking scouts. For scouts who are based in Texas or planning to study there, the Angelo State University has two existing scholarship grants for both Boy and Girl Scouts. Other colleges that offer financial assistance to excellent scouts are the Stanford University and the Columbia Colleges.

Qualifications and Requirements of Boy and Girl Scout Scholarships

More often than not, sponsors of scholarship programs are on the lookout for incoming college students who are truly incapable of financing their college education. With that said, it’s already no surprise why most of them require that applicants submit their families’ income statements. This goes without saying that applicants who come from low-income households have bigger chances of being awarded scholarship grants than those who are somewhat well-off.

However, being underprivileged doesn’t instantaneously make an applicant a shoo-in for a scholarship program. Apart from financial incapability, an applicant must also exhibit an outstanding scholastic record. He must have high ACT or SAT scores, as well as a GPA that is above average. Most selection panels also look into an applicant’s activism in the society. Participation in community services and activities matters, so it’s imperative that an applicant has a good track record of them. Likewise, recommendation letters are also required as proofs that other people also see the applicant’s potential.

Tips on Submitting Scholarship Requirements

To enjoy the privilege of a scholarship, it is suggested that you visit the office or even just the website of the scholarship program you wish to apply for. From there, you can read about the program’s requirements and acquire all the necessary forms. Once you have obtained a form, don’t forget to read and understand the instructions carefully before filling it out. It is suggested that you draft your answers first in a separate sheet of paper so that you can check them out for mistakes afterwards. Once you have finalized your answers, copy them to the original form. Avoid erasures in your form, as they would make a bad impression of you.

Don’t forget the deadline of all your requirements. They must be submitted before the end date and not during. Keep in mind that mails take a while before they reach their destinations. If you don’t want your scholarship application to end up in the garbage bin, better submit it at least a week before its cut-off date.