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: August 4th, 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:
Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
- Eligibility: All high school students, college students, graduate students, and adult learners
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 31, 2022
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, 2022
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
- Deadline:September 9, 2022
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
- Deadline: May 1, 2023
Upcoming scholarships
Coca-Cola 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
- Opens:August 2022
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
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 is the best GPA for 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? ›Recipients are chosen on the basis of financial need and academic merit. Scholarship applicants must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.33 or higher. See important information about enrollment status for Special Students in Enrollment Considerations.
What is the easiest scholarship to get? ›- $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship.
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay.
- $40,000 BigFuture Scholarships.
- $2,500 Christian Connector Scholarship.
- $2,000 College Repayment Grant.
- Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship.
- Annual Catholic College Scholarship.
The HOPE scholarship is a merit-based award, students can qualify with a minimum 3.00 GPA and must continue to earn a 3.00 GPA while in college. The HOPE scholarship is only available at eligible schools in Georgia.
Can you get a scholarship based on your GPA? ›Scholarships with GPA (or Grade Point Average) requirements are among the most common kinds of scholarship. You'll almost always need to meet a GPA requirement for a merit-based scholarship, but a minimum GPA can be a requirement for need-based scholarships as well.
Can I get a full ride scholarship with a 3.5 GPA? ›While the award varies from student to student, the goal of the College Scholarship Program is to cover most or all the cost of education. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA or higher, and family income must be lower than $95,000.
Can I get into Harvard with a 3.5 GPA? ›A 3.5 GPA will be highly competitive and admission can be reasonably expected at many colleges, but it's not the most competitive at places like Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth, which, on average, accept students with GPAs exceeding 4.0.
Can you get into Harvard with a 3.0 GPA? ›In general, students with a 3.0 GPA still have a chance to get into Harvard, provided that the application can demonstrate that they are what the university is looking for exactly. In some instances, hooks, such as being an athlete, allow applicants to get admitted into Harvard, even with a low GPA.
What GPA scale does Harvard use? ›The Faculty of Arts and Sciences averages its letter grades with a 4-point scale: A = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.00, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.00, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.00, D- = 0.67. E, ABS, UNS, EXLD = 0.
Is Scholarships360 org legit? ›Founded by two first-generation brothers, Scholarships360 is a free of charge (and spam!) platform for finding up-to-date scholarships. Scholarships listed on the site are vetted by members of the Scholarships360 team to make sure they're legit and not expired.
Are scholarship Owls worth it? ›
Is ScholarshipOwl a Scam? This is a 100% legitimate question but Scholarship Owl isn't a scam. It's a paid service that facilitates scholarship applications. They don't require you to pay to use it and they even give you a list of scholarships with links to the scholarships.
Which country is easiest to get scholarship? ›- Germany. A particularly popular country for admission among students from all over the world. ...
- France. ...
- Italy. ...
- Czech Republic. ...
- Hungary. ...
- China.
To be eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship, students must graduate from high school with a 3.70 cumulative GPA as calculated by Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) AND an SAT score of 1200 OR an ACT score of 26.
What is the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship? ›Scholarship Program
The Foundation provides scholarship grants for deserving female students with financial need at more than 200 colleges, universities and schools in nine Southeastern states.
Most academic (merit-based) scholarships for first-year students are awarded during the Admissions process. This process is usually finalized by early April for all admitted first-year students. Approximately 14% of enrolled first-year students received an academic scholarship from UGA.
Is 3.8 A good GPA? ›Is a 3.8 GPA in high school considered good? The average GPA of graduating high schoolers is 3.0, making 3.8 a definitively good GPA. It gives you a reasonable chance of acceptance at even competitive institutions, so reach as high as you can!
What GPA is a 95? ›...
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 |
Considering the highest possible GPA is 4.0, it's pretty easy to unequivocally say yes, a 3.9 is a great GPA. The average high school student graduates with a 3.0, so your achievement is well-above average and qualifies for you for acceptance into even the most competitive institutions.
Is a 3.8 GPA good enough for a scholarship? ›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.
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 does your GPA have to be to get a D1 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.
Is a 3.61 GPA good? ›If you are wondering, is a 3.6 GPA a good grade or not. You will be glad to know that it is an excellent grade. According to the scale, this is an above-average score. The average score is a 3.0 GPA, and if you attain a 3.6 GPA, it shows that you have an above-average intellect.
Is a 4.57 weighted GPA good? ›This GPA is higher than a 4.0, meaning that your school measures GPAs on a weighted scale (class difficulty is taken into account in conjunction with your grades). At most high schools, this means that the highest GPA you can get is a 5.0. A 4.5 GPA indicates that you're in very good shape for college.
Is a 4.0 GPA good 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.
Is a 4.43 weighted GPA good? ›On this scale, the highest GPA you can get is usually a 5.0. A 4.4 weighted GPA most likely means that you've been earning mostly B+s in high level classes. You'll have a good shot at being accepted to most colleges with this GPA. 99.74% of schools have an average GPA below a 4.4.
Can I get into Harvard with a 3.4 GPA? ›1. Harvard GPA Requirements. Harvard applicants must be at the top of their class and meet the minimum GPA requirements for acceptance into the college. While there are a small number of exceptions, students with GPAs of 4.0 - 4.18 have the best chance of getting accepted.
Is a 4.35 weighted GPA good? ›This GPA is above a 4.0, which means it's weighted (it takes into account the difficulty of your classes in conjunction with your grades). This is a very good GPA. It most likely means you're taking high level classes and are earning As and Bs. 99.55% of schools have an average GPA below a 4.3.
What is a 3.5 GPA out of 100? ›3.5 GPA is a B+ Letter Grade or 87–89% – GPA Calculator.
Can you get into Harvard with a 3.9 GPA? ›What GPA do I need to get into Harvard? To be considered for admission to Harvard, you must earn top grades in high school. The Harvard Crimson reports that the average reported GPA of entering freshmen in the class of 2022 was 3.90 on a 4.0 unweighted scale.
What is the average GPA to get into Oxford? ›Entering Class of 2022:
Average Undergraduate GPA: 3.77. GPA Range: 3.4 - 4.0. Average MCAT Score: 514. MCAT Range: 499 - 522.
How do I know what scholarships will suit me? ›
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.
Are Mom scholarships legit? ›However, is it true that Scholarships4moms is a scam? No, it is not. Scholarships4moms has been proven to award real scholarships to its winners in the past, and you can check them out here. There, you can find out who has won a Scholarships4moms scholarship in previous drawings.
Are Scholly scholarships legit? ›Since 2015, students have won more than $100 million dollars with Scholly. With more than 3,000 five-star reviews, Scholly is proud to be the #1 scholarship app in the world. Discover how Scholly helps students save time and win free money for college.
Is Chegg scholarship legit? ›It's a strong option for students who want a modern platform to find and apply to a wide variety of scholarships. Rounding out the “Best of the Best,” Chegg Scholarships earned a score of 80 out of 100 across our Funding, Trustworthiness, and User Experience categories.
Is Nitro college scholarship real? ›Description: The Nitro College Scholarship is available for U.S. high school students and college freshmen. This scholarship is offered every month. This $2,000 award is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, age 17 or older at the time of entry.
Is Tallo legit for scholarships? ›Yes. Tallo is committed to protecting students' privacy and provides a safe, secure user experience.
How do you get 100% scholarship? ›- Know where to look. ...
- Prepare in advance. ...
- Work hard and keep motivated. ...
- Make yourself stand out from other applicants. ...
- Read the application instructions carefully. ...
- Submit an exceptional scholarship essay or cover letter. ...
- Be realistic.
' The true answer to this question is 'NO'. There are no fully funded scholarships for international students. Some scholarship awarding bodies may foot nearly 85% of the total costs, but these are limited in number. Not to mention, the competition for these scholarships will be very high.
Can I get a full scholarship in UK? ›There are many funding options available for international students who want to study in the UK. They range from part-funding, for example paying part of your fees, to full-funding which covers programme fees, living expenses, and return flights to the UK.
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 grades do you need to get a scholarship UK? ›
- The student must have an offer to study at the desired university.
- The student must have chosen the university as their firm or insurance choice.
- The students family income needs to be below £30,000.
- Predicted A level grades of ABB or higher.
Harvard applicants must be at the top of their class and meet the minimum GPA requirements for acceptance into the college. While there are a small number of exceptions, students with GPAs of 4.0 - 4.18 have the best chance of getting accepted.
Is 3.9 A good GPA? ›Considering the highest possible GPA is 4.0, it's pretty easy to unequivocally say yes, a 3.9 is a great GPA. The average high school student graduates with a 3.0, so your achievement is well-above average and qualifies for you for acceptance into even the most competitive institutions.
Is 3.8 A good GPA? ›Is a 3.8 GPA in high school considered good? The average GPA of graduating high schoolers is 3.0, making 3.8 a definitively good GPA. It gives you a reasonable chance of acceptance at even competitive institutions, so reach as high as you can!
What GPA is a 95? ›...
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 |
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.
How can I get full scholarship in UK? ›You can visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website to find out more about the funding available if you are studying in the UK as a postgraduate student, including whether or not you are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Just scroll down to the relevant section of the webpage.
Can a UK student get a scholarship in USA? ›Applying for scholarships is a part of the whole university application process in the USA and there are scholarships for international students from the universities themselves as well as external funding bodies.
What grades do you need to get into Oxford? ›Entry requirements
An average of 85% or above, with scores of between 8 and 9 in subjects specified at A level or equivalent. Overall grade of 1.1-1.3, depending on the course.
This is a very good GPA, and it should give you a strong chance of admission at most colleges. 99.36% of schools have an average GPA below a 4.2. You can apply to colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.
Is a 4.0 GPA good 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.
Is a 4.43 weighted GPA good? ›On this scale, the highest GPA you can get is usually a 5.0. A 4.4 weighted GPA most likely means that you've been earning mostly B+s in high level classes. You'll have a good shot at being accepted to most colleges with this GPA. 99.74% of schools have an average GPA below a 4.4.
Is a GPA of 5.0 good? ›Admission to the most prestigious schools is typically limited to students who rank in the top 5% of their class and have high GPAs. Therefore, this article is about one of the highest scores, 5.0 GPA. It is an outstanding score a handful of students can achieve.
What is a 3.9 GPA in UK? ›A rough conversion of British grades to GPAs looks like this: +70% = 4.0. 60-69% = 3.3-3.9. 50-59% = 2.7-3.2.
Is a GPA of 3.92 good? ›A 3.9 GPA is almost a whole point higher than the national average of a 3.0 GPA. This GPA is nearly perfect. Keep up the good work.