Girl Up Scholarship fund is open for young women who are ready to bridge the gender gap and ensure gender equality in different spheres.
The scholarship is intended to alleviate the financial burden of post-secondary education to members of the girl-up community.
Girls have tremendous untapped power to change the world. Girl-up communities help young girls access their innermost power and further advance their skills, rights, and opportunities available everywhere.
About Girl-Up Scholarship
Girl up was founded in 2010 by the UN Foundation as an initiative to support UN agencies that focus on adolescent girls. It inspires girls to become agents of social change and a force towards gender equality.
Since its launch, Girl Up’s leadership development programs have impacted 85,500 girls through 4,500 Clubs in nearly 125 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
In 2021, Girl Up awarded $87,500 in scholarships ($2,500 to at least 35 recipients).
Who Is Eligible To Apply?
To be eligible for the girl up a scholarship fund, the applicant must meet the following criteria.
- Must be a girl-up member from anywhere around the world. Membership is a must.
- Enrolled in a 2-years, 4-years, or technical college by the time of selection (graduating high school seniors can apply!)
- Applicant should be pursuing education related to selected categories:
Storytelling – If you are using stories to create change in your community Or majoring in communications, creative writing, videography, graphic design, journalism, etc. An example is using your social media as a platform for change.
Sports – If you are majoring in any sports-related field or simply using sports as a medium to create change in your community.
STEM – If you are majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field OR you are using STEM to create change in your community.
NOTE: If after application and you are selected to receive a scholarship, the funds will go directly to your higher education institution and be credited to your tuition expenses.
Girl up scholarship application consists of four essays;
Essay 1
In 500 words or less, describe the community you grew up in and how it influenced you, your upbringing, values, experiences, and educational aspirations. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Essay 2
In 250 words or less, describe how this scholarship will help advance your personal, professional, and/or academic career goals?
How can you increase gender equality through storytelling, STEM, or sports?
Essay 3
In 250 words or less, how have you advanced gender equality in your community?
In what ways have you demonstrated your leadership potential through these activities?
Essay 4
Storytelling Applicants: In 500 words or less, give an example of how you’re involved in storytelling (journalism, news broadcasting, poetry, etc.)?
How have you used storytelling to make a change in your community?
How have your storytelling experiences developed you as a leader?
Sports Applicants; In 500 words or less, give an example of how you’re involved in sports (athlete, attendee, fan, etc.)?
How have you used sports as a platform to make a change in your community?
How have sports developed you as a leader?
STEM Applicants; In 500 words or less, give an example of how you’re involved in STEM (area of study, club, work, etc.).
How have you used STEM as a platform to make a change in your community?
How has STEM developed you as a leader?
One video essay answering the following prompt:
Storytelling Applicants: In a 1-minute video, share what excites you about storytelling for social good.
Why is it important for girls and women to share their stories and elevate their voices?
Sports Applicants: In a 1-minute video, share what excites you about sports and why the involvement of girls and women in sports is important.
What would you say to persuade your younger self to continue pursuing sports?
STEM Applicant: In a 1-minute video, share what excites you about STEM and why the involvement of girls and women in STEM is important.
Girl-up scholarships receive a lot of applications from young women from different nationalities and the selection criteria are highly competitive and evaluation is fair. The selection criteria include;
- Leadership potential
- Demonstrated commitment to gender equality
- Past academic performance
- Community involvement and school activities engaged in.
- Letter of recommendation from an instructor or mentor and not from a family member
- Background eg financial need.
Now since you have all the required information, the next step is to get started with applying for a girl-up scholarship.
To apply for a girl up a scholarship fund, click here to get started
