Many scholarships consider a student’s grade point average (GPA) as a key deciding factor. But you don’t need a perfect GPA to qualify. While a 4.0 will likely open up scholarship opportunities, there are plenty of scholarships for students with lower GPA.
So, don’t let your GPA stand in the way of your scholarship search. And let The University Network help you with your search. Our Scholarship Search Engine makes it easy to search by GPA, major or other categories.
Have a 3.0 GPA? Here are some of the best scholarships for you.
Banks Brown Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the Banks…
Irma A. Fleming Legacy Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Irma A. Fleming Legacy Scholarship is an annual award by the…
Goldwater Scholarship
Amount: Up to $7,500 per full academic year About: Awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship…
NEWH Interior Design Scholarship
Amount: $15,000. About: The NEWH Interior Design Scholarship, sponsored by P/Kaufmann Contract, awards $10,000 to…
CrowdReviews.com ‘Transparency’ Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: CrowdReviews.com “Transparency” Scholarship is a $5,000 award open to undergraduate and graduate…
Steven J. Finkel Service Excellence Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Offered by Live Nation and the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation,…
Jerman-Cahoon Student Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), the Jerman-Cahoon Student…
Frank M. Coda Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),…
Peola Smith-Smith Educational Leadership Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Peola Smith-Smith Educational Leadership Scholarship is an annual award by the…
USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow
Amount: $6,000. About: The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers the Chuck Hall Star of…
Henry Adams Scholarship
Amount: $3,000. About: Offered by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),…
AICPA Foundation Scholarship for Future CPAs
Amount: $5,000-$10,000. About: A part of the AICPA Foundation Legacy Scholars program, the AICPA Foundation…
Gordon V. R. Holness Engineering Technology Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Offered by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),…
NAACP Scholarships
Amount: Up to $10,000. About: Each year, as part of its Inspire Initiatives, the NAACP…
AFCEA STEM Major Scholarship
Amount: $2,500. About: The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) annually offers multiple STEM…
Tang Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Tang Scholarship program helps LGBT Asian and Pacific Islanders from the…
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000 per year (for up to 4 years). About: Each year, the GE-Reagan Foundation…
Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,250 (renewable for 3 years). About: Delaware residents are eligible to apply for the…
Barbara and Richard Couch Hypertherm Scholarship
Amount: $2,500. About: Offered by the American Welding Society (AWS), the Barbara and Richard Couch…
Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation
Amount: Up to $20,000. About: Each year, the Fukunaga Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to students…
NSCS Scholarship for Minority Students in STEM
Amount: $2,500. About: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Scholarship for Minority Students in…
Perryman Family Foundation Nursing Scholarships
Amount: Up to $15,000. About: Each year, the Perryman Family Foundation awards scholarships to students…
CIRI Foundation Achievement Annual Scholarship
Amount: Up to $8,000. About: Offered by the CIRI Foundation, the Achievement Annual Scholarship is…
Arsham Amirikian Engineering Scholarship
Amount: $2,500. About: The American Welding Society (AWS) offers a scholarship for undergraduate students studying…
HOPE Scholarship TN
Amount: Up to $1,600 for freshmen & sophomores at 2-year institutions; Up to $2,250 for…
Golden 1 Scholarship
About Golden 1 Founded in 1933. Built to serve Californians. With a commitment to uplift…
Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarships
Amount: $5,000. About: Named in honor of the founder and publisher of the Hellenic Chronicle,…
Tiffany Green Operator Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Offered by Live Nation and the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation,…
NSCS Scholarship for Women in STEM
Amount: $2,500. About: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Scholarship for Women in STEM…
ICSC Foundation Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation Graduate Scholarship is awarded…
ADHA Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Up to $2,500. About: The ADHA Foundation offers several scholarships for students studying toward…
NSCS First in the Family Award
Amount: $2,500. About: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) First in the Family Award…
Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund
Amount: $5,000. About: The Asian Pacific Fund offers the Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund…
Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund
Amount: $3,000-$17,000 (renewable for up to 4 years). About: Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarships are annually…
USBC Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow
Amount: $6,000. About: The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers the Alberta E. Crowe Star…
NSCS Summer Internship Award
Amount: $2,500. About: Each year, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) awards scholarships to…
The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there.
Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you, or have TUN AI help you with your search.
When to apply for scholarships
Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.
So, if you’re a high school student looking to get a scholarship for your freshman year of college, you should start the search process early. While you don’t necessarily have to apply for scholarships in your freshman or sophomore year, you will develop a sense of scholarships that are available so you can apply when you’re ready.
If you’re a current college student, you should be looking for scholarships throughout the year. That way, if you find an award that appeals to you, you’ll be ahead of the game.
And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship.
How to apply for scholarships
Each scholarships has its its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely.
Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.
Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness.
And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application.
For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.
How to find scholarships
Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.
There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more.
So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?
Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students.
You should also check with your high school or college to see if they have a list of scholarships. Your guidance counselor may have the list or point you to someone who can help you. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.
Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees.
If you work while in high school or college, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship.
For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.
How to get scholarships
Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students.
So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?
First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.
Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that?
You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps.
“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”
A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it.
If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.
To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most.
Are scholarships taxable?
Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws.
Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses.
Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment.
If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective or current college or university.

