Maureen Bilger Scholarship

Application Requirements:

• Current or previous Girls Inc. member
• Current High School senior with plans to pursue post-secondary education
• Minimum GPA: 2.0
• Completed Scholarship Application Form
• Current High School Transcript
• Personal Statement Essay
• Recommendation Letter (required if applicant is not a current Girls Inc. member)

Scholarship Award:

• One scholarship will be awarded to a Girls Inc. graduating high school senior in the amount of $1,000.00.
• Scholarships must be applied to educational expenses at an accredited trade school, college, or university. Award will be distributed before high school graduation, upon meeting graduation requirements.

General Submission Guidelines

• Complete the application packet by verifying that the following FIVE items are included:
  • Cover Sheet (Requirements Checklist, Applicant and Parent Signatures)
  • Completed Application Form
  • Current High School Transcript (9^th grade through current year)
  • Personal Statement Essay (Must be typed—Min. 750-Max.1,500 words, OR about 1.5-3 pages, double-spaced)
  • Recommendation Letter* (Must be typed—Min. 500-Max.1,000 words, OR about 1-2 pages, double-spaced)

                        *Recommendation letter required only if applicant is not a current member of GIMCC

Please submit the completed application via one of the following:

• Mail (ATTN: Tishara Watson)
• In-person Drop-off (during main office business hours)
• Email to Tishara Watson, Program Director (twatson@girlsinccentralct.org)

Personal Statement Essay Requirements

Please tell us your Girls Inc. story by answering the questions below in essay format. Use the questions and prompts as guidelines to elaborate and create a better picture of who you are and how Girls Inc. has impacted you. Please include your full name (first and last) at the top of each page of your essay.

1. Involvement & Impact

Summarize your journey at Girls Inc. as a program participant and/or a volunteer/employee. How has Girls Inc. made a difference in your life? Describe the UNIQUE IMPACT  that your experiences at Girls Inc. have had on your life using specific activities, volunteer opportunities, workshops, field trips, or mentor relationships as examples.

2. Volunteerism & Extracurricular Activities

Summarize your volunteer experience with Girls Inc. and/or in the community. Describe your involvement in one to two extracurricular activities. How has volunteering or participating in extracurricular activities made you a strong, smart, and bold leader?

3. Post-High School Plans

Describe your future career goals. Why does this interest you? What steps have you taken to explore your career possibilities? Where do you intend to pursue your post-high school education? What do you intend to study? If received, how will you apply this scholarship toward your educational expenses? How will this award make a difference in your ability to pursue/complete your degree?

Recommendation Letter Requirements

A recommendation letter is required for applicants who are not currently Girls Inc. members (from June 2024-present). Applicants should choose an adult who knows them well and can attest to their strengths and abilities. Please share the following information with the chosen recommendation letter writer. (A recommendation letter from a family member or current GIMCC staff member is not permitted.)

TO THE WRITER: Please respond to the following questions in no more than TWO pages. The letter should be single-sided, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, and personally signed.

• How long have you known the applicant? In what capacity? (Required)
• Describe the applicant’s participation in school activities and how she has made a positive contribution to the school. (Required)
• Describe how her achievements have distinguished her from her peers? (Required)
• Describe how she is a positive role model for her peers and younger students. (Optional)
• Describe her capacity for academic success in postsecondary education. (Optional)