Girls Inc. Scholarship Opportunities

Girls Inc. Scholarship Opportunities

Lucile Miller Wright National Scholarship

The Girls Inc. Scholarship Program was created in 1992 when Lucile Miller Wright, a long-time supporter of Girls Inc., made a bequest from her estate to fund scholarships exclusively for young women members. Since 1993, more than $7 million in scholarships have been awarded to Girls Inc. girls across North America. The purpose of the Scholars Program is to make post-secondary education more accessible by offsetting the financial costs. The goal is to inspire members to succeed in school and to consider a broad range of career possibilities.

Scholarship Awards

  • The exact number of scholarships awarded will be determined on an annual basis in amounts between $5,000 and $25,000.
  • Scholarships must be applied to direct educational expenses at an accredited college or university.
  • Awards are held in escrow until scholars begin postsecondary education. (Interest WILL NOT accrue on the scholarship funds.)
  • Scholarship recipients may be invited to attend a national Girls Inc. event (with all expenses paid by Girls Inc.)

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicant must be currently engaged with Girls Inc. as an active program participant at the time of application or as a volunteer/staff member.
  • Minimum participation in Girls Inc. programming of 24 months. Participation requirements must be completed at the time of application. Time as a volunteer or employee does not count toward this
    requirement.
  • Currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior (grade 11, 12, or equivalent).
  • Minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 2.8 (83%) on a 4.0 scale (based on 9 th grade through current year).
  • Girls Inc. affiliate must currently be in good standing as defined by the organization.
  • Each Girls Inc. affiliate may submit UP TO FIVE High School applications.
  • Only those LMW scholars who were awarded $5,000 or less as juniors are eligible to reapply as seniors.

Selection Process

A selection committee composed of a broad range of professionals will consider applications based on the above listed criteria in addition to the materials submitted by the applicants.
Judges will not include current members of Girls Inc. or affiliate staff.

 

Suzanne Patmore Gibbs Courage Scholarship

The goal of the Suzanne Patmore Gibbs Courage Scholarship (created in 2019) is to encourage young women who have participated in Girls Inc. programming to aspire to and matriculate at a college or university of their choice. Recipients of this award have demonstrated the courage to dream big and have a character consistent with that of Suzanne Patmore Gibbs who was described as “a fierce advocate for all that is right and good in this world. She fought for women’s voices before it was a popular thing to do. She was incredibly brave, and she stood up for what she believed in.”

Scholarship Awards

  • Three $25,000 awards will be made each year.
  • Scholarships must be applied to direct educational expenses at an accredited college or university.
  • Awards are held in escrow until scholars begin postsecondary education. (Interest WILL NOT accrue on the scholarship funds.)
  • Scholars may be invited to meet the family of Suzanne Patmore Gibbs.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must meet all the eligibility criteria for the Lucile Miller Wright Scholarships.
  • Candidates must be a graduating Senior during the 2023-2024 school year.
  • Preferred candidates are from the state of California (Suzanne Patmore Gibbs’ home state) but not required.
  • Ideal candidates courageously advocate for themselves and others and stand up for what they believe in.

Lucile Miller Wright “Strong, Smart & Bold” 8 th Grade Scholarship

This program is funded through a generous bequest from Lucile Miller Wright, a visionary and long-time supporter of Girls Inc. and young women.

Scholarship Awards

  • $500 scholarships will be awarded to up to TEN 8th Grade Girls Inc. members/participants.
  • Awards are held in escrow until scholars begin postsecondary education. (Interest WILL NOT accrue on the scholarship funds.)
  • If recipients of this award continue their involvement with Girls Inc., they will still be eligible to apply for the Lucile Miller Wright Scholarship Program as a high school junior or senior.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Currently engaged with Girls Inc. as active program members/participants.
  • Participation in Girls Inc. programming must be at least 24 months at the time of application.
  • Currently enrolled as an 8 th Grade student at the time of application.
  • Minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 2.8 (83%) on a 4.00 scale (based on final 7 th Grade Report).
  • Girls Inc. affiliate must currently be in good standing as defined by the organization.
  • Each Girls Inc. affiliate may submit UP TO FIVE 8 th Grade applications.

Selection Process

A selection committee composed of a broad range of professionals will consider applications based on the above listed criteria in addition to the materials submitted by the applicants. Judges will not include current members of Girls Inc. or affiliate staff.

Application Guidelines

  • Please submit ONLY a digital copy via email to scholarships@girlsinc.org. All submissions should come directly from Affiliate Staff and NOT the applicant.
  • Submit only one email attachment (PDF) per scholar applicant. Do not submit multiple attachments.
    • Email attachment should be named: Applicant Last Name, First Name Application
      (Ex. Smith, Sally Application 2024)
  • The entire application must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font.
What to Include (in this order…)
  1. 1. Completed and signed Applicant Information Sheet
  2. 2. Girls Inc. Involvement and Impact Summary (maximum of TWO pages) – Explain how Girls Inc. programs/activities have impacted/changed your life.
  3. 3. Girls Inc. Staff Recommendation Letter (maximum of ONE page, signed, letterhead) – Answer BOTH:
    1. a. In what ways have you seen the applicant grow during the time you have known her?
    2. b. Describe how she is a positive role model for her peers and younger girls.
  4. 4. Final 7th Grade Cumulative Report – If the school uses a different grading scale, please have the school counselor translate the grading system to reflect the applicant’s GPA on a 4.0 scale. This can be achieved by including a typewritten letter from the school counselor (signed and on school letterhead) explaining the modified GPA.