Apply for The Emerald Circle Scholarship

The application deadline for The Emerald Circle spring scholarship (eligible to graduating seniors) is April 1 by 5 p.m.

Girls who earn the Gold Award in the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council can apply for a scholarship from The Emerald Circle. The nonrecurring scholarships range from $1,000-$3,000 and are funded entirely by members of The Emerald Circle, donations, and earnings from The Emerald Circle Gold Award Scholarship Endowment. About 20 to 30 Gold Award Girl Scouts per year receive a scholarship. The Emerald Circle has awarded more than $830,000 in scholarships to date.

Spring scholarship applicants: apply the year of high school graduation in the spring. For example, Girl Scouts graduating in 2026 should apply in spring 2026.
Fall scholarship applicants: apply the year immediately following high school graduation in the spring. For example, Girl Scouts graduating in 2025 should apply spring 2026.
Note: fall scholarships are available only for Gold Award recipients who earned the Gold Award after the spring eligibility deadline, graduated high school in that same calendar year, and are enrolled to attend an institute of higher education in the fall of the scholarship application year.

The scholarship committee will accept spring and fall scholarship applications from Jan. 1 through April 1. Please carefully read the requirements and FAQs below to understand the application process.

How will applicants be notified if awarded a scholarship?

The Emerald Circle will notify all selected scholarship recipients by phone approximately six weeks after the application deadline.

Following phone notification to awardees, all scholarship applicants will receive an email announcing the selected scholarship recipients. Please do not contact the Emerald Circle before this six-week review period concludes.

Can I apply for both the spring and fall applications?

The spring application opportunity is only for those who earn their Gold Award before the April 1 application deadline and expect to graduate high school later that calendar year.

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What is The Emerald Circle Scholarship?

A scholarship awarded to graduating senior Gold Award Girl Scouts.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Girls must be current members of GSSJC.
Must have earned the Gold Award prior to submitting the application.
Must be enrolled to attend a university or higher learning institute in the upcoming semester.
Only applications received during the calendar year of high school graduation will be considered. Exception: eligible fall applicants can apply during the spring following high school graduation.

How many scholarships are awarded?

Typically, 20 to 30 scholarships are granted each year. Scholarships are funded by donations made to The Emerald Circle, therefore available funds can fluctuate each year.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

All applications are initially reviewed for completeness and checked against a list of common disqualifying factors. Once this initial review is passed, the all-volunteer Emerald Circle Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and select scholarship recipients.

How do I apply?

Visit this page between Jan. 1 through April 1 of your graduating year to access the online application. Applications for spring scholarships will only be considered during the calendar year of an applicant's high school graduation after the applicant has earned her Gold Award.

Applications for fall scholarships will be considered for eligible applicants during the spring following high school graduation.

What information is required to apply?

In addition to completion of the online form below, applicants are required to upload the following prior to submission:

Essay – “Your One Most Meaningful Girl Scout Experience and Why.”
Maximum of 500 words, two pages, double-spaced, 10- to 12-point font.
Be sure to use correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
All work must be your own original writing.
Resume – Describe your academic and extracurricular activities.Also describe your Gold Award project, why you chose that particular project, and what you learned from your project.
Maximum two pages, 10- to 12-point font, written to follow listed guidelines. The template can be downloaded below in the application section.
Proof of GSSJC membership for the current membership year.
Submission of signed signature page to application.

Hint: A print-out of your current membership card is the prefect proof of membership!

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Do I have to know where I'm going to college?

It is not necessary to have a final decision made upon application. If a scholarship is awarded, proof of enrollment is required for distribution of funds.

What is the value of The Emerald Circle scholarships?

Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000. Scholarships are awarded at the sole discretion of the scholarship selection committee.

How do I obtain the required proof of membership?

Complete the steps listed below. If you have any issues logging in or renewing membership, please contact customerservice@sjgs.org, not emeraldcircle@sjgs.org.

Go to MyGS to log in.
Enter login information.
Select Member Profile.
Select Membership tab.
Print or download directly from Membership page.

How will applicants be notified if they’ve been awarded a scholarship?

The Emerald Circle will contact all selected scholarship recipients by phone approximately six weeks after the application deadline.

Following phone notification of the scholarship awardees, all scholarship applicants will receive an email announcing the selected scholarship recipients. Please do not contact the Emerald Circle before this six week review period concludes.

Can I apply for both the spring and fall applications?

The spring application opportunity is reserved for those who earn their Gold Award before the April 1 application deadline and expect to graduate high school later that calendar year.

The fall application opportunity is reserved for those graduating seniors who earn their Gold Award after the April 1 spring application deadline.

Will I be notified when the application is open?

No notification will be sent. It is the responsibility of the applicant to return to the website during the appropriate time frame in order to apply.

Why was my application disqualified?

Please double check your application prior to submitting! Common reasons for disqualification include:

Failing to properly format your essay (10- to 12-point font, double-spaced, no longer than two pages) or to follow the essay prompt (a SINGLE Girl Scouting experience).
Failing to follow instructions on the resume (no longer than two pages, 10- to 12-point font, including all information requested in the resume template).
Incomplete or unsigned application forms.
Failing to meet all eligibility requirements.

Who do I contact for more information?

Questions should be sent via email to emeraldcircle@sjgs.org. Due to the high volume of applications, please do not call the council office.

I applied for The Emerald Circle scholarship but was not selected as a recipient. Why?

Selection is solely at the discretion of the scholarship selection committee. Neither GSSJC nor The Emerald Circle are able to provide any feedback on the selection of recipients.

Where does the money for Emerald Circle scholarships come from?

All scholarships are fulfilled through donated funds and earnings from The Emerald Circle Gold Award Scholarship Endowment.

How do I donate to the scholarship fund?

Visit our Support Us page, and select Gold Award College Scholarships from the drop-down menu under designation.

I earned a scholarship. How do I receive my funds?

Scholarship checks are made payable to and mailed directly to the college, university, or higher education institute. Funds must be applied to tuition, fees, or other expenses charged by the school.

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Complete the application below by April 1, 5 p.m.

Note: Submit button for application is only available Jan. 1 through April 1. While you may still be able to complete the form, applications are NOT accepted outside this time frame, and you will not be able to submit your application.

Click here for the Resume Template for your Emerald Circle Scholarship Application

Sign the Signature Page for applicants and parents/guardians.

Emerald Circle Scholarship Application

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Essay

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Resume (see top of page for template)

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Proof of Membership (see FAQs for instructions)

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Signature Page (see top of this page for document)

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DOUBLE CHECK YOUR APPLICATION!

Common reasons for disqualification include:

Failing to properly format your essay (10- to 12-point font, double-spaced, under 500 words and no longer than two pages) or to follow the essay prompt (a SINGLE Girl Scouting experience).
Failing to follow instructions on the resume (no longer than two pages, 10- to 12-point font, including all information requested in the resume template).
Incomplete or unsigned application forms.
Failing to meet all eligibility requirements.

Due to the high volume of applications, please do not call the council office.