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.
CIRI Foundation Achievement Annual Scholarship
Amount: Up to $8,000. About: Offered by the CIRI Foundation, the Achievement Annual Scholarship is…
Ideal Companies Scholarship Fund
Amount: $2,500-$5,000. About: Ideal Electrical Supply, a private wholesale electrical distributor, offers a scholarship in…
Peola Smith-Smith Educational Leadership Scholarship
Amount: Varies. About: The Peola Smith-Smith Educational Leadership Scholarship is an annual award by the…
Dr. Esther Wilkins Scholarship
Amount: $1,000. About: The American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) offers the Dr. Esther Wilkins Scholarship…
ICSC Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (renewable for sophomores and juniors). About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)…
James T. and Rose M. Perryman Family Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
Amount: $10,000-$15,000. About: Each year, the Perryman Family Foundation awards scholarships to hardworking and community-minded…
AMS Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The American Meteorological Society (AMS) offers scholarships for students interested in studying…
GMIS STEM Scholarships
Amount: Up to $5,000. About: Each year, Great Minds in STEM (GMIS) awards scholarships to…
USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow
Amount: $6,000. About: The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers the Chuck Hall Star of…
Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., Graduate Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Administered by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation, the Edward…
Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Offered by Dark & Lovely, the Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship is one…
Vicki Soto Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $12,000. About: Victoria Soto Memorial Scholarship is a four-year renewable scholarship offered to four…
Edison Scholars Program
Amount: $50,000. About: Administered by clean energy company Edison International, the Edison Scholars Program annually…
Schurgin Family Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Administered by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation, the Schurgin…
NEWH BrandED Scholarship
Amount: $7,500. About: The NEWH BrandED Scholarship awards $7,500 to hospitality management students. Applicants must…
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. Scholarship
Amount: $3,000. About: Administered by the American Welding Society (AWS), the Miller Electric Mfg. Co….
KASF Scholarships
Amount: $500-$5,000. About: The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) offers scholarships to qualified Korean American…
SC LIFE Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 each year (up to 4 years). About: The Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence…
NSCS Scholarship for Women in STEM
Amount: $2,500. About: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Scholarship for Women in STEM…
GRCF Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Administered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), the Miller Johnson West…
ACS Scholars Program
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: American Chemical Society Scholarships are annually awarded to minority students who are…
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: $10,000 per year (for up to 4 years). About: Each year, the GE-Reagan Foundation…
Ken C. Hicks Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Each year, Foot Locker, Inc. awards the Ken C. Hicks Scholarship to…
Minnesota Masonic Charities Heritage Scholarship
Amount: $3,000 per year for up to 4 years. About: Minnesota Masonic Charities Heritage Scholarships…
Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship
Amount: $1,000. About: Offered by the Asian Pacific Fund, the Shui Kuen and Allen Chin…
Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund
Amount: $3,000-$17,000 (renewable for up to 4 years). About: Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarships are annually…
PPEF Four-Year College Scholarship for High School Seniors
Amount: $9,000 (need-based scholarship), $5,000 (merit-based scholarship). About: Promotional Products Educational Foundation (PPEF) is a…
CIA Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $18,000 (Up to $25,000 for STEM). About: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)…
NEWH Green Voice Design Competition
Amount: $7,500. About: The NEWH Green Voice Design Competition is an annual contest that provides…
Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $1,000-$5,000 per year (for up to 4 years). About: The Print and Graphics Scholarship…
Evans Scholarship
Amount: Full tuition and housing. About: Offered by the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation,…
Denver Alumnae Chapter Scholarships
Amount: $1,500-$6,000. About: Each year, the Denver Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority…
Marvin Anmuth Scholarship
Amount: $1,500-$5,000. About: Offered by the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, the Marvin Anmuth…
SAE/Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers) and the Ford Motor…
Jesse Jackson Fellows – Toyota Scholarship
Amount: Up to $25,000 (renewable). About: The Jesse Jackson Fellows – Toyota Scholarship is annually…
LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
Amount: $2,500. About: The LAGRANT Foundation offers an annual scholarship and career building program for…
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.
To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for.
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.