Scholarships
Top Scholarships Based on GPA
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By Zach Skillings Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts. Learn about oureditorial policies
Updated: September 30th, 2022
Some scholarship programs rely on Grade Point Average (GPA) as a way to sort through applicants. In fact, there’s a variety of scholarships based on GPA. It goes without saying that the higher your GPA is, the better chance you have of earning a scholarship. But how high does your GPA need to be exactly? There’s no clear-cut answer, but in this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about applying to scholarships based on GPA. We’ll also provide a list of top scholarships you can apply for that take GPA into consideration. Let’s get started!
Also see:Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool
What GPA do you need to get a scholarship?
That depends on a few things. In most cases, your GPA alone won’t earn you a scholarship. Many scholarship committees will consider your GPA alongside a variety of other factors including essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, interviews, and strength of course schedule. That means having an impressive GPA doesn’t automatically translate to scholarship money. Having a strong overall application is usually better than relying exclusively on your GPA. That being said, a solid GPA can put you in contention for a variety of scholarships. This is especially true when scholarships have minimum GPA requirements. Some scholarship committees only consider applicants whose GPA meets a certain threshold. Minimum requirements range from around 2.0 on the lower end to 3.75 or higher for competitive academic scholarships. Generally speaking, a 3.0 GPA or higher will give you a decent shot at qualifying for a variety of scholarships.
Types of scholarships
You should also be mindful of the types of scholarships you’re applying for. Academic merit-based scholarships typically have higher GPA requirements. Because these scholarships are based solely on academic achievement, GPAs are considered more heavily when determining recipients. Meanwhile, GPA is less important for need-based scholarships, athletic scholarships, and talent-based scholarships. Your GPA may still be considered for these types of scholarships, but probably not in the same way as merit-based scholarships.
See also: What GPA do you need to get a full scholarship?
What if there’s no minimum GPA requirement?
Some scholarship applications don’t list minimum GPA requirements. In fact, many top-notch merit scholarships don’t have specific GPA requirements. These scholarship programs typically still take GPA into account, but they also rely on other methods of evaluating applicants. For instance, they might consider applicants based on their class rank, standardized test scores, or difficulty of courses taken. The reason for this is that GPA is not always a reliable indicator of academic success. GPA scales vary between high schools, meaning that a 4.0 GPA at one school may not mean the same as a 4.0 GPA at another school. Additionally, weighted GPAs must be considered differently versus unweighted GPAs. Because of all this, many scholarship programs forego minimum GPA requirements. Your GPA is still important for these types of scholarships, but you won’t have to worry about meeting a certain cutoff to be considered. Rather, you’ll be evaluated based on the strength of your overall application.
Jump ahead to… Top scholarships based on GPA Upcoming scholarships based on GPA College-specific scholarships
Top scholarships based on GPA in 2022
Many programs award scholarships to students based on GPA. Below we’ve rounded up a few of the top scholarships that have minimum GPA requirements:
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors who have a minimum 3.0 GPA and plan to pursue a college degree
- Amount: $20,000 for undergraduate study
- Deadline: October 31, 2022
Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
- Eligibility: All high school students, college students, graduate students, and adult learners
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 31st and December 31st of every year
Clubs of America Scholarship Award
- Eligibility: Open to college students who write an essay on their career aspirations and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: August 31, 2023
Upcoming scholarships
American Floral Endowment Scholarships
- Eligibility: College students (who have a minimum 2.0 – 3.5 GPA) pursuing a degree in agriculture or floriculture
- Amount: $300 – $4,000
- Opens: January 1, 2023, Deadline: May 1, 2023
BMW/SAE Engineering Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (who have a minimum unweighted 3.75 GPA) pursuing an engineering or related science degree
- Amount: $1,500 per year
Cameron Impact Scholarship
- Eligibility:Graduating high school seniors (who have a minimum unweighted 3.7 GPA) planning to enroll in an accredited four-year U.S. college or university
- Amount:covers the full cost of tuition
SME Education Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (who have a minimum 2.5 – 3.0 GPA) pursuing manufacturing and engineering-related degrees
- Amount: Varies depending on the scholarship
- Opens: November 1, 2022
College-specific scholarships
Many colleges and universities award scholarships to incoming students based on their GPA. Below we’ve listed some of those schools:
Eastern Kentucky University
- This school offers scholarships ranging from $3,000 per year (3.0 – 3.29 GPA) to the full cost of in-state tuition (3.80 – 4.0 GPA and ACT 28+)
Indiana Wesleyan University
- This school awards annual scholarships ranging from $4,000 (2.79 and below GPA) to $13,000 (4.0 and above GPA)
Massachusetts State Universities
- The Paul Tsongas Scholarship awards Massachusetts students (who have a minimum 3.75 GPA) with a tuition waiver at eligible Massachusetts state universities
Montana State University Billings
- Incoming first-year students who have at least a 3.5 GPA are eligible for a $4,000 renewable scholarship
Northeastern Illinois University
- Incoming first-year students who have a 3.35 GPA or higher are eligible for a full-tuition scholarship
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
- This school offers a variety of scholarships based on GPA and test scores, ranging from $500 to the full cost of tuition
Saint Louis University
- Incoming first-year students who have a minimum 3.85 GPA are eligible for the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship
Taylor University
- Incoming first-year students who have a 3.88 GPA and a 1330 SAT or 29 ACT are eligible for a $16,000 annual scholarship
Texas A&M – Texarkana
- Incoming first-year students who have at least a 3.65 GPA and minimum 26 ACT are eligible for a $8,500 renewable scholarship
University of Iowa
- This school offers multiple merit-based scholarships based on GPA and test scores, including the $8,500 renewable Iowa Flagship Award
University of North Texas
- This school offers several scholarships based on GPA and class rank, ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,000 per year
University of Rhode Island
- Incoming first-year students with a minimum 3.2 GPA are considered for scholarships ranging from $1,500 per year to $15,000 per year
University of St. Thomas
- Incoming first-year business students who have a minimum 3.7 GPA are eligible for a full-tuition scholarship
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Incoming first-year students who have a 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT are eligible for a $5,000 annual scholarship
University of Virginia
- Current students who have at least a 3.4 GPA are eligible for a variety of merit-based scholarships
Western Michigan University
- Incoming first-year students who demonstrate financial need and have a 3.7 GPA or higher are eligible for a $16,000 annual scholarship
Western New Mexico University
- Incoming first-year New Mexico residents who have a 3.75 GPA or higher are eligible for nearly $9,000 of financial assistance per year
Western Oregon University
- Incoming first-year students who have a 3.8 GPA or higher are eligible for a $5,500 annual scholarship
William Woods University
- Incoming first-year students who have at least a 3.75 GPA are eligible for a scholarship covering full tuition, room, and board
Our list is just the start…
Our list just scratches the surface of merit-based scholarships that take GPA into consideration. There are many other scholarships out there, some of which do have minimum GPA requirements and some of which don’t. Use this list as a jumping off point to find other scholarships you may be eligible for. And be sure to check with the colleges you’re considering to see what types of scholarships they offer. Good luck!
FAQs
What GPA do you need to qualify for most scholarships? ›
Some scholarship committees only consider applicants whose GPA meets a certain threshold. Minimum requirements range from around 2.0 on the lower end to 3.75 or higher for competitive academic scholarships. Generally speaking, a 3.0 GPA or higher will give you a decent shot at qualifying for a variety of scholarships.
What GPA do you need to get a scholarship to Harvard? ›Most accepted students have an SAT score above 1540 and a GPA of 3.9 or so. If you have decent scores, don't hesitate to try. But they need to see at least 1490 on SAT(or equivalent ACT) in order for you to have at least a chance to get considered.
What is the highest merit scholarship? ›Name | % Freshmen w/out need Receiving Merit Aid ('20 – '21*) | Avg Merit Award for Freshmen Without Need ('20 – '21*) |
---|---|---|
Hartwick College | 98% | $36,219 |
Susquehanna University | 98% | $34,569 |
Allegheny College | 98% | $33,809 |
Clarkson University | 88% | $33,670 |
- $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship.
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay.
- $2,500 Christian Connector Scholarship.
- $5,000 Graduate School Scholarship.
- $2,000 College Repayment Grant.
- Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship.
- Annual Catholic College Scholarship.
It is tough to get into Harvard. The university receives applications from more qualified applicants than they can accept, and most applicants have at least a 4.18GPA. Meeting GPA and SAT/ACT requirements (although these are now optional) will help you get through the first round of filters.
What is the lowest GPA Harvard has accepted? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What GPA do you need to get into Yale? ›In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Yale. That means nearly straight As in every class.
Is a 4.2 GPA good enough for Harvard? ›In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class.
What colleges give full ride scholarships? ›- University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) ...
- Duke University (Durham, North Carolina) ...
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) ...
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana) ...
- Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia)
A scholarship that offers $25,000 to $49,999 is still worth the student's time and effort. Even a scholarship worth $500 deserves an application, since every dollar won is a dollar less borrowed. There are many more scholarships at these award levels, but here are a dozen of the most famous scholarships.
What is a good scholarship amount? ›
Most students can expect to receive $5,000 to $10,000 in scholarships, but that varies widely based on the cost of attendance at the college and how hard the student works on the application process.
How do you find scholarships you can actually win? ›- Create an accomplishments resume. ...
- Don't miss deadlines. ...
- Complete the scholarship matching profile thoroughly. ...
- Apply to as many scholarships as possible. ...
- Look for scholarship listing books. ...
- Find local scholarships on bulletin boards. ...
- Tap into family connections.
Germany. A particularly popular country for admission among students from all over the world. No wonder: In Germany almost all universities are free of charge and the country's largest scholarship fund — DAAD — provides a scholarship to cover living expenses.
How much do you get from Coca Cola scholarship? ›Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship – High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA may apply on our website in August of their senior year until the October 31 deadline. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
How hard is it to get a full scholarship? ›How hard is it to get a full ride scholarship? Less than 1 percent of students get full ride scholarships, showing just how difficult it is to earn one. However, with the right background, proper planning and by knowing where to look, your chances of landing a full ride scholarship can increase.
What is the lowest GPA Yale will accept? ›You should also have a 4.14 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Yale, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
What is the max GPA? ›When you study at a US university, your GPA is on a scale from 0.0 to 4.0, with 4.0 being the highest your GPA can be. GPA is very important in US universities.
What GPA is required for MIT? ›There is no minimum required GPA, but competitive applicants generally have a GPA of 3.5 or above, and mostly A's in mathematics and science courses.
What's the lowest GPA someone got into MIT with? ›Aim high. Even though there are no official MIT GPA requirements, you should aim for a 4.17 weighted GPA. If you're already a junior or senior figuring out how to get into MIT and your GPA is lower than 4.17, know that scores close to the average MIT SAT scores or ACT scores can counterbalance a lower GPA.
What GPA is needed for UCLA? ›Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, while out-of-state students must have a 3.4 GPA or greater. The 2020 UCLA acceptance rates have indicated that UCLA is a competitive school.
What is the lowest GPA to get into Ivy League? ›
The admission rates of these schools have an average of merely 7.6%, with only Cornell University's acceptance rate being greater than 10% (and it's only up by 1%). None of the Ivy League schools have a minimum GPA requirement for applications, which means anyone can apply regardless of their GPA.
What GPA is required for Duke? ›Duke Acceptance Rate
The colleges at Duke will reject your application if you can't make it to a high score in any of them. To be assured enough, you should reach the 75th percentile SAT score of 1570 and a GPA of 4.13 or higher to be the highlighted candidate.
There is no minimum GPA or test score, nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to have your application reviewed or be admitted to Stanford.
What GPA is required for Oxford? ›Undergraduate qualifications
If your graduate course at Oxford requires a 'first class undergraduate degree with honours' in the UK system, you will usually need an overall GPA of at least 3.7 out of 4.0 or 4.5 out of 5.0.
A perfect GPA on a weighted scale is 5.0, although most competitive colleges expect closer to a 3.7 or higher. The average weighted GPA for ivy league schools is typically over 4.0.
Where do the top 1% send their kids to college? ›Students from ... | The top 1% ($630k+) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Washington University in St. Louis | 21.7 |
2. | Colorado College | 24.2 |
3. | Washington and Lee University | 19.1 |
4. | Colby College | 20.4 |
However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0. If you're aiming for a top university such as one in the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, or others of the same caliber, a 4.0 GPA — or close to it — is expected.
How do you get a 2022 full-ride scholarship? ›- Plan ahead. Students should start doing research as soon as they start high school. ...
- Keep grades up. Students should demonstrate academic excellence. ...
- Be a leader. ...
- Get involved. ...
- Build relationships with mentors. ...
- Find strengths. ...
- Submit a great scholarship application.
Full-ride scholarships cover all university expenses aside from tuition fees, such as accommodation, meals, and transportation. A good example is the USDA 1890 National Scholars' Program, a four-year, full-ride scholarship designed to cover the recipient's full tuition, room and board, study materials, and other fees.
Which university gives free scholarships in USA? ›Stanford University Scholarships
Stanford University Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is offered for Masters and Ph. D studies. This scholarship is offering full tuition fees, traveling allowance, Living allowance and academic expenses.
How much is a d1 scholarship worth? ›
The average athletic scholarship for all sports (opens in new tab) in Division I is approximately $14,270 a year for men and $15,162 for women.
Does GPA round up for scholarships? ›Should you round up your GPA? The short answer is no. While it's tempting to turn that 2.95 into a 3.0 or that 3.95 into a 4.0, you should not round up your GPA.
What percent of scholarships are full ride? ›Most student-athletes do not receive a full-ride scholarship—in fact, only 1 percent do. Still, full-ride scholarships as the goal for many athletes, as they typically cover tuition and fees, books, room and board, supplies, and sometimes even living expenses.
How much money does the Bill Gates Scholarship give you? ›Each year, 300 student leaders are selected for the Gates Scholarship, with each winner receiving funding for the full Cost of Attendance to an accredited four-year US university or college.
How many scholarships does the average person apply for? ›Scholarship Winner Application Averages
For those that want solid numbers, on average, many of the students I work with are applying for anywhere between 3-7+ scholarships, each, per week.
The average scholarship is worth $7,400. Only 0.2% of students got $25,000 or more in scholarships per year. The NCAA awards more than $2.9 billion in athletics scholarships annually. 48% of students receive federal scholarships.
What's the easiest sport to go d1 in? ›Lacrosse. This is the easiest sport to get an athletic scholarship. Lacrosse is popular mostly in America, so it has almost no international competition. Based on data, about 110,000 players were involved in lacrosse in high school and more than 14,000 in college.
Do d1 athletes get full rides? ›However, for NCAA Division I sports, also known as head count sports, men's football, men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, tennis and gymnastics, scholarships for college students are always full rides.
How can I get thousands of scholarships? ›- Apply for local scholarships. ...
- Apply for scholarships with smaller awards. ...
- More work = fewer applicants = better chances. ...
- Get personal. ...
- Don't introduce yourself in your essay. ...
- Don't repeat the essay prompt. ...
- Don't use quotes.
It's very hard to get college scholarship because a student has to go through various levels to get selected. The criteria or the process may vary from college to college. Some of the criteria college follow are academic qualifications, scholarship test, interview etc.
Is it possible to get enough scholarships to pay for college? ›
Many parents and students believe the myth that a student can fully pay for college tuition with just a few scholarships. Sadly, this is not the case. While scholarships can definitely be helpful and can go a long way towards paying tuition, it is extremely rare for it to cover the entire cost.
What websites has over 2.7 million scholarships listed? ›Scholarships.com lists more than 2.7 million scholarships and grants worth over $19 billion. Completing a personal profile gives you access to your own list of scholarships matching your academics, talents and interests.
What are the easiest scholarships to win? ›- $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship.
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay.
- $40,000 BigFuture Scholarships.
- $2,500 Christian Connector Scholarship.
- $5,000 Graduate School Scholarship.
- $2,000 College Repayment Grant.
- Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship.
The best way to find scholarships or internships is to use a personalized search, like Fastweb, that compares your student profile with a database of awards. Only those awards that fit your profile are identified as matches. Fastweb has the largest, most accurate and most frequently updated scholarship database.
Is a 3.6 GPA Good for scholarships? ›The GPA requirement usually depends on the type of scholarship and the institution awarding it. For example, a college may distribute an academic or merit-based scholarship to students who receive a 3.5 GPA or higher. Earning a high GPA can often help increase your likelihood of receiving a robust scholarship.
Can I get a full ride scholarship with a 3.5 GPA? ›Several scholarships have minimum GPA requirements which applicants must meet to be eligible for scholarship awards. Thankfully, a 3.5 GPA opens the door to many of these scholarships. Some students might even be able to cover the full cost of their college tuition through these scholarships.
Can I get a full ride scholarship with a 3.8 GPA? ›You will need to have an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or above, earn high SAT/ACT scores, and be in the top of your class in order to be eligible for the scholarship. All undergraduate applicants, including international students , are considered for this award.
Is 3.7 A good GPA? ›Overall, a 3.7 GPA is impressive. As a percentage, a 3.7 GPA means you've achieved an average of 90-92% in your classes. Achieving a 3.7 GPA in high school is good, and with an excellent application, there are many schools where you have a shot at acceptance.
What is the highest GPA you can get? ›3) for a plus grade, where 4.0 is considered the highest GPA. Though the calculation of average GPA is quite simple on a 4.0 scale, you can always contact your school's counselor's office for better estimation and results.
Is a 4.1 GPA good for a sophomore? ›If you have a 4.1 GPA as a sophomore, you've done very well in your first two years of high school. Your GPA is unlikely to change too much between now and when you apply to college, but it can still be affected by your grades junior year.
Is a 3.75 GPA good in college? ›
A 3.7 GPA substantially clears the unofficial benchmark that most colleges use for competitive admission (3.0) and is also higher than the baseline average for more selective schools (3.5).
Will a 4.0 GPA get you a scholarship? ›Generally though, the higher your GPA, the better the chance for a full scholarship. However, a 4.0 GPA in the most rigorous classes is not going to guarantee you a full ride scholarship.
What SAT score is required for a full scholarship? ›So you're probably wondering, What's a good SAT score for scholarships, and how can I find them? The short answer is that you should aim for an SAT score between 1200 and 1600 if you want to secure some scholarships based on merit–and the higher within that range you score the more money you're looking at.
What is the hardest scholarship to get? ›- Rhodes Scholarship.
- Fullbright Scholarship.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Princeton Scholarship.
- Mitchell Scholarship.
- Churchill Scholarship.
- Marshall Scholarship.
- Jardine Scholarship.
The minimum GPA you can have to be considered an early academic qualifier for D1 is a 2.3 GPA and a 980 SAT combined score or 75 ACT sum score. You will need a 2.2 GPA and a 900 SAT combined score or 68 ACT sum score to be eligible at the Division II level.
What GPA do you need to get an athletic scholarship? ›3. Don't Slack Off Academically. Getting an athletic scholarship isn't solely based on athletics; academics also matter. The NCAA requires incoming Division I athletes to have a minimum 2.3 GPA to play their freshman year.
How do you get a 2022 full ride scholarship? ›- Plan ahead. Students should start doing research as soon as they start high school. ...
- Keep grades up. Students should demonstrate academic excellence. ...
- Be a leader. ...
- Get involved. ...
- Build relationships with mentors. ...
- Find strengths. ...
- Submit a great scholarship application.
summa cum laude: at least a 3.7 total GPA (grade point average) and a class rank in the 95th percentile or above in the student's school or college.
Can I get into Stanford with a 3.7 GPA? ›Stanford University is a holistic institution with no GPA or standardized course requirements. But the estimated average high-school required GPA is around 4.18. The chances are 3.75, plus, good; 3.5-3.75, average plus; 3.25-3.5 average minus; 3-3.24, possible; and below 3, low.
What is a 99 GPA on a 4.0 scale? ›...
Search for Colleges Using Your GPA.
Letter Grade | Percent Grade | 4.0 Scale |
---|---|---|
A+ | 97-100 | 4.0 |
A | 93-96 | 4.0 |
A- | 90-92 | 3.7 |
B+ | 87-89 | 3.3 |