Scholarships for average students highlight that financial assistance isn’t exclusively designated for top-ranking valedictorians with impeccable academic records. Numerous organizations and nonprofits have established generous funding opportunities to recognize the valuable skills and talents of learners who may not excel academically in traditional ways.
According to U.S. News, the average high school GPA stands at 3.1 for females and 2.9 for males. While these average grades may not secure admission to Ivy League institutions, many colleges are willing to consider applicants with GPAs ranging from 2.0 to 2.5.
We firmly believe in equal opportunities for all, which is why we’ve curated a list of top scholarships specifically catering to average students. These scholarships either accept lower GPA thresholds or assess applicants based on criteria beyond academic performance.
Scholarships For Average Students
Essay Contest Scholarships for High School Students
Students in grades nine through twelve across the United States, including the District of Columbia, US territories, and American citizens studying abroad, can participate in the National High School Essay Contest, regardless of their parents’ occupation.
This opportunity extends to those attending public, private, or parochial schools, as well as home-schooled students.
The National High School Essay Contest, organized by the American Foreign Service Association, offers an attractive prize package for successful applicants. Winners receive $2,500, a fully funded trip to meet a representative from the US Department of State in Washington DC, and an all-expenses-paid educational cruise with Semester at Sea. Applications must be submitted by April 6th, and multiple winners are selected each year.
Scholarships Offered By The Anthony Garcia Foundation
The Anthony Garcia Foundation, established in memory of the late 18-year-old Brawley Union High School senior who passed away from cancer in 2011, has granted 170 scholarships amounting to $35,000 collectively.
These scholarships are available to graduating high school students in California’s Imperial Valley region, encompassing areas such as Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, and San Pasqual, who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Applicants are required to submit a one-page essay detailing their aspirations and educational objectives.
Scholarship In Telecommunications By Letterman
Qualifications:
- Possess between 30 and 102 total credit hours by the conclusion of the fall semester preceding the application.
- Pursue a major or minor in telecommunications.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of telecommunications courses at the time of application.
Established by the renowned comedian and late-night host David Letterman in 1985, the Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship, designed for students like himself who considered themselves average, remains active and offers recipients up to $10,000 to cover tuition expenses. Each year, three individuals are selected as recipients of this scholarship.
Scholarship By Aweber
Established in 1998 by CEO Tom Kulzer, AWeber Communications, situated in Pennsylvania, is a company specializing in email marketing. Annually, they offer the Developing Futures Scholarship worth $2,500, with no GPA prerequisite.
Full-time undergraduate students attending accredited colleges in the United States, pursuing majors in business, marketing, advertising, communications, or related disciplines, and holding average grades, are encouraged to apply.
The application process is straightforward and entails either composing a 500-word essay or producing a three-minute video discussing the significance of digital media in the corporate world.
Scholarship By Full Circle
Eligibility Criteria:
- Enrollment in a full-time program leading to a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree at an accredited tribal, public, or private (non-profit) college or university is required.
- Applicants must be citizens of the US or Canada, eligible to pursue college education in the US under the provisions of the Jay Treaty.
- Enrollment as a registered member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or being a descendant of at least one grandparent or parent who is a registered tribal member, is mandatory.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained.
The Full Circle Scholarship presents a valuable opportunity for college funding for the typical student of today. Recipients are awarded scholarship funds as per the available allocation, with multiple recipients selected annually. Eligible candidates should have Native American heritage or active membership in a tribal community.
The CARiD Scholarship Program
Qualification Criteria:
- Must be a current student enrolled in post-secondary education for the upcoming semester in the US.
- Age requirement is between 16 and 20 years old.
- Applicants must not be employed by CARiD or related to a CARiD employee.
CARiD, a well-known online retailer for automotive parts and a valuable source of information, annually invites applications for its CARiD Scholarship Program. Successful applicants receive $1,000 to cover educational expenses. The program offers two scholarships per year, with application deadlines on April 30th and October 31st.
Scholarships For Average Students
Scholarship By Patricia McNamara
Eligibility:
Candidates are selected solely based on personal attributes such as a robust work ethic, moral values, reliability, empathy, etc.
The Patricia McNamara Scholarship Fund commemorates the esteemed Patricia McNamara. This scholarship offers financial support for tuition to deserving recipients from Cary Grove High School pursuing higher education. Since its inception in 2015, multiple students have been awarded this scholarship annually.
Scholarship By Teens for Jeans
Eligibility:
- Everyone can apply or be considered by donating a pair of jeans to one of the designated drop-off locations for the scholarship.
In an innovative approach to promoting philanthropy for the homeless, Dosomething.org supports the Teens for Jeans Scholarship. Participants contribute a pair of jeans to support the homeless community and become eligible to win a $500 scholarship. Moreover, the award value increases significantly for students who gather and donate large quantities of jeans to the cause.
Scholarship By The Paradigm Challenge
Eligibility
- Every student is encouraged to enroll and engage in The Paradigm Challenge.
The Paradigm Challenge offers a distinctive opportunity for students to secure funds for their tuition. Through this initiative, students are tasked with joining a team, identifying genuine societal issues, devising a strategy to address these challenges, and crafting a presentation to showcase their solutions. A substantial prize of $100,000 awaits, but successful completion of the challenge is a prerequisite for claiming it.
Scholarships Offered By The SME Education Foundation
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a student from the United States enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or advanced manufacturing or engineering program.
- For specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship, refer to the SME Education Foundation website.
Every year, the SME Education Foundation awards millions of dollars in scholarships to various types of students. The foundation offers scholarships through four categories, making eligibility accessible to many “average” students: Technical School/Community College Scholarships, Graduating High School Seniors Scholarships, Undergraduate Students Scholarships, and Graduate Students Scholarships. Additionally, applicants have the flexibility to apply at any time during the year, with their applications becoming active once the review periods open, and they are notified accordingly.
Scholarship By E-Waste
Qualification
- The candidate should be enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, or be currently enrolled or entering any level of college or graduate school. Additionally, home-schooled students are eligible to apply.
Named the E-Waste Scholarship, this program aims to assist students in pursuing education while also addressing the issue of harmful electronic waste. To participate, individuals are required to submit a brief essay on E-waste and submit their application by Earth Day in April. Successful applicants stand a chance to receive a $1,000 award to support their educational goals.
Scholarship By HAADA
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a US citizen aged below 30.
- Must have completed high school or hold a GED.
- Demonstrated financial need is required.
- Must show a strong commitment to pursuing and completing a career or technical program (maximum of 2 years) at an accredited, non-profit, post-secondary institution in the United States.
The HAADA, short for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, is dedicated to ensuring that the American dream of success is attainable for all. As part of this mission, the organization offers the HAADA Career and Technical Scholarship Program annually, providing selected student applicants with up to $2,500 each.
Similar to this HAADA scholarship opportunity, the best scholarships for average students consider factors beyond just grades and employ various criteria for award allocation.
Conclusion:
The most suitable scholarships for average students with average academic performance are those that don’t penalize them for not achieving top grades consistently. What are some of the leading scholarships that cater to this significant student demographic today? The above options present excellent opportunities for average students seeking financial assistance.
