I. Financial Assistance for Girls
Financial assistance is available up to $150 per girl for any combination of requests listed below within the same membership year.

• GSUSA national membership registration
• Troop program (dues, handbooks, pins, try-its, badges, interest patches, and sashes)
• On-the-Go
• Council and service unit sponsored events
• Uniform parts
  Additional financial assistance is available through the Program Department for:
• Wider opportunities
• Resident and day camp programs

II. Financial Assistance for Adult Volunteers
Financial assistance is available up to $75 per adult for any combination of requests listed below within the same membership year.

• GSUSA national membership registration
• Printed materials/resources
• Training offered by GSSJC
• Council and service unit sponsored events

Additional financial assistance is available through the Adult Development Department for:

• Adult educational opportunities

III. Philosophy of Financial Assistance in Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council

A. Financial assistance is for girls who otherwise would not be able to participate in approved Girl Scout activities.

B. Financial assistance is for adult volunteers who otherwise would not be able to participate in approved Girl Scout activities.

C. Girls need to learn to plan realistically to live successfully in our changing world. Adults have the responsibility to help girls plan activities in relation to the money available, a basic premise of Girl Scouting.

D. In order to implement the flexible and innovative programs that meet the interests and needs of all girls, we must use our funds wisely for the largest number of girls and adults.

E. Funds are limited and variable. Disbursal is made based on financial need. (Exception: Girls or adults selected as Council representatives to an event.)

F. Financial assistance is not designed to underwrite event costs for an entire troop.

G. Every effort should be made for a portion of the cost to be paid by the girl or adult, whether it is 50 cents or a percentage of the total.

IV. General Guidelines for Requesting Financial Assistance

Service units are encouraged to designate 10 percent of funds available for financial assistance in the yearly budget. Service units will be asked to provide reimbursement of granted requests from girls and adults in their area if funds are available. Remember to include all financial reimbursements on the end-of-the-year financial reports.

A. Membership Registration - assistance may be requested to help pay for GSUSA national membership registration fee at the current rate.

B. General Troop Program - assistance may be requested to help girls pay for troop dues (up to 3 months per request) or for Daisy troop start-up fees (not to exceed $12 per girl for a 6-month time period), activities, field trips, handbooks, pins, try-its, badges, interest patches, and sashes.

C. Juliettes are eligible for all categories of financial assistance except for troop/group dues or start-up fees.

D. Council or service unit sponsored events - assistance is determined by the sponsoring group for each event and may be requested on the specific event registration form.

E. Publications - assistance may be requested for GSUSA publications, such as level handbooks, leaders’ guides, etc., Red Cross manuals and more.

F. Uniforms - assistance may be requested for uniform parts. (Uniforms also may be obtained at re-sale shops and service unit uniform swaps.)

G. Training offered for girls and adults by the Adult Development Department and Program Department - assistance may be requested on the specific registration form.

H. Resident Camp - assistance for resident camp may be requested through the Program Department.

I. Day Camp Programs - Assistance for day camp may be requested through the Program Department on the specific day/twilight camp registration form.

J. Girl National and International Wider Opportunities - assistance may be requested through the Girl Wider Opportunity Committee in the Program Department and from the service unit. Council planned and extended troop trips should be budgeted within the scope of the individual/troop/group ability to fund. This is out of scope for financial assistance.

K. Adult Educational Opportunities - assistance may be requested through the Adult Educational Opportunities Committee in the Adult Development Department.

VI. Forms to Use When Requesting Financial Assistance

A. GSUSA national membership dues - GSSJC Membership Registration Form

B. Handbooks, publications, membership pins, badges, uniform parts, troop dues, activities, field trips, and Daisy troop start-up fees - GSSJC F-134G

C. Council and service unit events - Event Registration Form

D. Training offered by Adult Development and Program departments – Training or Program Registration Form

E. Wider Opportunities – Wider Opportunities Financial Statement

F. Adult Educational Opportunities – Adult Educational Opportunity Request Form O-565

G. Resident and day camp programs - Applications located in the camp brochures

H. Council sponsored events - Requests must be submitted with the event registration form.

I. Service Unit and troop financial assistance requests must be submitted six weeks prior to the activity.

J. Girl Scout Shop purchases must be accompanied by a Council-issued voucher letter.

K. Financial assistance does not reimburse for any expenses.

L. Items and services received through financial assistance are non-refundable.

VII. Review/Decision/Approval Process

A. Applicant MUST be a currently registered GSSJC Girl Scout. (Exception: Request for GSUSA registration)

B. Applicant name must not appear on the Council bad debt list.

C. Application must be complete and on the appropriate form to be considered.

D. Notification of approved and/or disallowed requests are made within 30 days of receipt of request via mail or by phone.

Note: All approved financial assistance for Girl Scout Shop items must be redeemed within 60 days/two months. Approval letter notes expiration date.

Financial assistance will be granted regardless of race, color, ethnicity, creed, national origin, religion, or socioeconomic status.