Welcome to Lead the Way—the official space for Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors ready to make their mark on the world. Here, older Girl Scouts take the wheel to explore high-adventure experiences, develop real-world leadership skills, advocate for meaningful community action, and earn prestigious awards like the Silver and Gold Awards. Whether you're planning legacy service projects, mentoring younger troops, or mapping out college and career paths, this page is your launchpad for building confidence, creating lasting change, and shaping the future on your own terms.

Scholarship Opportunities

Dr. Nancy Ridenour Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Nursing Scholarship at Illinois State University

Dr. Nancy Ridenour is an accomplished nurse educator, administrator, and health policy leader with extensive clinical experience spanning critical care, med-surg, primary care as a Family Nurse Practitioner, public health, and school health. Her academic leadership includes co-founding the College of Nursing at Texas Tech and serving as Dean and Professor at Illinois State University.

A former Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, she has held high-level governance roles with major organizations—including the National League for Nursing (NLN), American Nurses Association, and ANCC. She is a two-time Fulbright-Hays Fellow with extensive international experience, including serving as a health policy consultant for the China Development Research Foundation.

Scholarship Information

The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Dr. Nancy Ridenour Nursing Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who has demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment through Girl Scouting and plans to pursue a degree in nursing at Illinois State University.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a currently registered Girl Scout member or have been registered as a Girl Scout for at least three years in total during your lifetime. The three years do not need to be consecutive and may have occurred in the past.
Be a graduating high school senior within the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois council boundaries at the time of application.
Be accepted for admission and plan to enroll in the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University for the upcoming academic year.
Demonstrate leadership, community service, and participation in Girl Scout programming, either through current involvement or past experiences.

Award Details

Scholarship amount: $2,000 (one time award)
Funds will be awarded upon proof of enrollment at Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing.
Funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses, and housing.

Preference may be given to applicants who have earned Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.

Application Timeline

Applications open November 15, 2026
Application and all supporting documents must be submitted by: March 1, 2027.

STEM Scholarship

Applying for a STEM scholarship through Girl Scouts is an empowering opportunity for older Girl Scouts—such as Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors—who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math. By showcasing their hands-on project experience, technical skills, and leadership in community-driven STEM initiatives, these young innovators can secure financial support to help fund their higher education and fuel their future careers as leaders in STEM fields.

Eligibility & Application Requirements
The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois STEM Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who has demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment through Girl Scouting and plans to pursue a degree in a STEM field.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a currently registered Girl Scouts.
Be a graduating high school senior within the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois council boundaries at the time of application.
Be accepted to an accredited four-year college, university or vocational/technical school.
Must be planning on majoring in a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) related field or vocational/technical training area.
Demonstrate leadership, community service, and participation in Girl Scout programming.

Award Details

Scholarship amount: $1,000
Funds will be awarded upon proof of enrollment.
Funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses, and housing.

Application Timeline

Applications open November 15, 2026
Application and all supporting documents must be submitted by: March 1, 2027.

Girl Scout Highest Awards

The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are your opportunity to create lasting change. As you take on big challenges to support your community, protect the environment, or advocate for a cause you care about, these highest honors showcase your passion, drive, and vision for a better world today—and tomorrow.

Leadership Awards

Discover what leadership means to you with our new Leadership Awards. Designed for real-world impact and personal growth, these awards give you the freedom and confidence to lead teams, solve problems, and bring your vision to life.

Ready to turn your ideas into action? The new Leadership Awards focus on building practical skills that create real change. Designed to let you explore leadership on your terms—whether you're guiding a group, working as a team, or taking on a bold new project—there’s no pressure, just opportunity.