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 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.
What GPA can get you into Harvard? ›Most students admitted to Harvard have an unweighted GPA of 4.18 or above, so you'll need to have at least a 4.2 to be seriously evaluated. To meet the Harvard requirements, you'll have to score primarily A's on your high school courses.
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.
What's the lowest GPA Harvard accepted? ›It's possible for Harvard to accept a student with a 3.0 GPA but with a compelling story. Similarly, it's possible for Harvard to reject a student with a 4.0 GPA but with qualities that do not impress the Ivy League's admissions officers.
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.
Which is the cheapest Ivy League school? ›Princeton is commonly regarded as the “cheapest Ivy” thanks to its extensive financial aid offerings. 62% of admitted students receive financial aid.
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.
How do you get full ride scholarships? ›
Full-ride academic scholarship: Be at the top of your class with a great GPA, take AP/honors classes, and get perfect (or close to perfect) SAT or ACT scores. Along with academic merit, it also helps to also have leadership skills or community involvement, too (see below).
How Much Is the Zell Miller grant? ›Zell Miller Award Amounts
For 2022-23, the Zell Miller Scholarship pays 100% of the total cost of in-state tuition charged. This is a maximum of $10,258 for two semesters of enrollment in 15 credit hours per term.
A Zell Miller Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.70 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC), combined with a minimum SAT score of 1200 on the math and reading portions or a minimum composite ACT score of 26 in a single national test administration, and maintain a minimum 3.30 ...
How much is the Georgia Pell Grant? ›The 2022-23 Award Year maximum Pell Grant Scheduled Award amount is $6,895 and the minimum is $692 (assuming full-time enrollment). The Pell Grant eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) range is 0 to 6206.
What GPA is required for MIT? ›There's no minimum required GPA; however, competitive applicants typically have a 3.5 GPA or above, and mostly As in math and science courses.
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 is the average GPA for MIT? ›Average GPA: 4.17
The average GPA at MIT is 4.17. This makes MIT Extremely Competitive for GPAs. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
Studies have shown recruited male athletes to have an average GPA of 2.84 which is 0.20 points lower than non-athletes. What is this?
What is the GPA for a scholar athlete? ›Candidates for the Scholar Athlete Award must carry a minimum GPA of 3.5 and must also show outstanding leadership as an athlete, student, or in other college and community activities, as well as have participated in two seasons of sport at a California community college.
What GPA do you need for NCAA d3? ›There are no set NCAA GPA requirements for Division 3 as schools set their own admissions standards you must meet in order to compete.
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.
What scholarships can I get with a 3.5 GPA? ›- Presidential Scholarship Competition.
- University of Louisville Trustees' Scholarship.
- National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship.
- Fort Scott Community College President Scholarship.
- University of New Mexico Amigo Scholarship.
- Indiana University Honors Program.
- University of Hawaii Chancellor's Scholarship.
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!
Is a 3.3 GPA good? ›Is a 3.3 GPA Good? Because a 3.3 GPA is on the cusp of a B+ average, it is indicative of good performance in all classes with a consistently positive record on tests and homework assignments. With this in mind, a 3.3 GPA makes your application competitive at a majority of schools.
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 is the highest GPA you can get? ›Generally, most high schools subtract (. 3) for a minus grade and add (. 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.
What SAT score will get you a full-ride? ›To be eligible, you must have an unweighted high school average of 90 and either a 1300 SAT score or a 27 ACT score.
How good is 3.46 GPA? ›The national average GPA is 3.0; a 3.4 GPA is approximately half a point higher. This is an excellent grade point average. If you can get it above 3.5, you can brag about the GPA.
What is the hardest scholarship to get? ›- Rhodes Scholarship.
- Fullbright Scholarship.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Princeton Scholarship.
- Mitchell Scholarship.
- Churchill Scholarship.
- Marshall Scholarship.
- Jardine Scholarship.
Can I get into MIT with a 3.8 GPA? ›
However, if you believe you are right on the line when it comes to the lowest GPA to get into MIT, you will want to aim for at the very least a 3.8. Even with that high of a GPA, which will help students get into nearly every school in the U.S., it simply might not be enough for MIT.
What will an F do to a 3.8 GPA? ›One of the most frequently asked questions about GPA is whether or not failed classes affect GPA. An F affects GPA. An F letter grade translates to zero grade points on the GPA scale.
Can I get into an Ivy League with a 3.8 GPA? ›For most of the Ivy League schools, they expect as close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA as possible. However, the actual unweighted GPAs of students admitted could vary, with many around the 3.5-4.0 range.
What GPA is B+? ›Grade Point Average (GPA) A+ = 4.00. A = 4.00. A- = 3.67. B+ = 3.33.
What is your IQ if you have a 4.0 GPA? ›| 4.0 | 5.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 3.4 | 4.3 |
| 90 | 3.6 | 4.5 |
| 95 | 3.8 | 4.8 |
| 100 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
The traditional unweighted GPA scale ranges from 0 to 4.0, while the weighted scale spans from 0 to 5.0. Schools that use a weighted scale assign more points to honors and AP classes. For example, students who earn an A in AP Calculus would receive a 5.0 on a weighted scale and only a 4.0 on an unweighted scale.