22 Easy Scholarships for Average Students

As college tuition rises, more students need to apply for financial aid whether they have a solid, average, or below-average academic record. The good news is there are plenty of scholarships you can apply for without being involved in athletics, arts, or having a strong academic record. Here are 22 scholarships for average students–with no GPA requirements, and no involvement in clubs or organizations required. 

1. Going Merry No Essay Scholarship (Seasonal: Winter 2024, Spring 2024, Summer 2024, Fall 2024)

Amount: $250 every 3 months

Provider: Going Merry

Requirements: Online Application

Going Merry makes it easier for students to find and apply for scholarships. After signing up, you’ll answer a few brief questions to fill out a basic profile–and then get matched to hundreds of scholarships that you’re eligible for. You’ll also gain access to their seasonal Going Merry scholarships (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall)–no essay or specific GPA required. Every three months, a student gets $250, just for using the website.

2. The No Sweat Scholarship

Amount: Up to $2,500 per recipient

Provider: Cirkled In

Requirements: Must be in high school and a U.S. Citizen

The Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship is a $2500 CASH scholarship you can use for any educational purpose, from books to summer camp.

3. AFSA High School Senior Contest

Amount: $2,000

Provider: AFSA Scholarships

If you’re ready for an extra $2,000, simply fill out the online entry form on the AFSA website and be registered to win one of 10 prizes. The AFSA High School Senior Scholarship Contest is open to high school seniors during the school year and deadlines change on a yearly basis, so head to the scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.

4. ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient

Provider: ScholarshipOwl

Requirements: Must be 16 or older and a U.S. citizen

Take the hassle out of financial aid and maximize your chance at a free ride in college. Scholarship Owl is pleased to offer the ScholarshipOwl No Essay Scholarship to all residents of any of the 50 United States, District of Columbia or US Territories ages 16 and up.

5. Niche $25,000 Scholarship

Amount: Up to $25,000

Provider: StudentSholarsips.org

Requirements: Open to High School Seniors and above

Covering the cost of college expenses for four years without writing a single essay? Sounds too good to be true. It isn’t with Niche. The Niche $25,000 Scholarship is giving one student $25,000 to help pay for tuition, living expenses, books, and other educational expenses.

6. Mometrix College Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient

Provider: Mometrix Test Preparation

Requirements: Open to High School Seniors, Community College Students, and Undergraduate Students

The Mometrix Test Preparation cares about helping people reach their dreams. To apply for the Mometrix College Scholarship, students must be enrolled as a full-time student at a college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year.

7. 101 Scholarship

Provider: Class 101 of the Treasure Coast

Amount: $3,000The 101 Scholarship represents students who exemplify demonstrated leadership in making their community a better place. Class 101 will award $3,000 to 4 students who uses their unique skills to make a difference in their community. This scholarship is open to students from grades 9-12.

Looking for more scholarships for average students?

8. The $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: SuperCollege.com

In order to ease the pain of paying for college, SuperCollege offers a monthly drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. All you need to be eligible for The $1,000 SuperCollege Scholarship is to fill out the exceptionally short application form and you’re good to go!

9. ConfidentWriters Scholarship Essay Contest

Provider: ConfidentWriters.com

Amount: Up to $700

Submit: A 500-700 word essay on one of the prompts

ConfidentWriters.com is calling all students to show their literary genius, get published, and win big! You don’t have to be an advanced writer to qualify. To apply for the ConfidentWriters Scholarship Essay Contest, grab your computer and let your imagination run wild onto those pages. This is your chance to make your creativity and imagination get the best of you.

10. C.I.P. Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: College is Power

While this scholarship technically has an essay, it’s only a short 150 words, so we’re adding it in! To apply to the C.I.P. Scholarship, just fill out the super short application form and write a mini-essay about the goals you have for your university education.

11. Fabric of Society Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Provider: Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

Every year, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated holds an annual scholarship competition, called the Fabric of Society Scholarship, across the US with the hopes of reaching as many graduating high school seniors as possible.

12. Debt.com Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

Provider: Debt.com

Amount: $500

Submit: A short letter and proof of scholarship applicationsDebt.com’s mission is to give scholarships to students who are consistently applying to scholarships. The Debt.com Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants asks you to send all the tedious scholarship confirmation emails you received along with a short letter about yourself. Your letter can be about how you feel about applying to so many scholarships, or if you learned anything from the application process. Winners are announced every two months.

Need a handy guide on how Going Merry can help you apply for scholarships for average students?

13. “Create Real Impact” Contest

Provider: Impact Teen Drivers

Amount: $500- $1,500

Submit: A video, music, creative writing, or graphic design

Students between 14-22 years old may apply. The “Create Real Impact” Contest seeks original work about a solution and strategy regarding reckless and distracted driving. Choose either video, music, creative writing, or artwork. There are many submission options and contest categories, so make sure to visit the scholarship page for details!

14. Unlimited Lights Safety Scholarship

Provider: Unlimited Lights

Amount: $1,000

Requirements: (a) Must be 18 or older, (b) full time enrolled student, (c) U.S. citizen or Permanent resident

Unlimited Lights believe in fostering a culture of safety within buildings and structures. Their mission is to ensure that every individual can navigate emergency situations swiftly and securely. In line with their commitment to safety, they are proud to announce the Unlimited Lights Safety Scholarship, aimed at supporting students who share our passion for promoting safety through innovative solutions.

15. National CCAA First-Year Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: The National Catholic College Admissions Association (CCAA)

The National CCAA will award 16 one-time $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors graduating this spring. To apply for the National CCAA First-Year Scholarship  applicants will need to be attending one of the National CCAA member institutions as a first-year student in the upcoming fall semester.

16. Christian College Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Provider: The Christian Connector Inc

If you’re planning on attending a two- or four-year Christian college, you’re eligible to enter the drawing for this $2,500 Christian College Scholarship. Simply fill out a short online survey and you’re good to go!

17. AFSA Second Chance Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: AFSA Scholarships

If you didn’t have the luck of winning the AFSA High School Senior Contest, try your luck again after graduation with the AFSA Second Chance Scholarship. This $1,000 award is awarded to five high school graduates during the summer months. Deadlines change on a yearly basis, so check out the scholarship website for the most up-to-date information.

18. Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship

Amount: Up to $500 per recipient

Provider: National Test Prep Association

Requirements: EssayThe National Test Prep Association has established the Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship in memory of Jeanne’s commitment to education and her love of literature and the English language. This scholarship will provide financial assistance to students pursuing higher education.

Wondering what you need to do to apply for college and financial aid?

19. AI-TechReport Scholarship

Amount: Up to $2,000

Provider: AI-TechReport

Requirements: (a) Must be 18 or older, (b) a legal resident of the United States or hold a valid student visa

The AI-TechReport Scholarship is crafted to motivate students to delve into the realms of AI and consumer technology, encouraging them to delve deeper and share their unique perspectives and experiences.

20. Kelsey’s Law Scholarship

Amount: Up to $2,000 per recipient

Provider: MichiganAutoLaw.com

Requirements: (a) High School Senior or Junior, (b) living in Michigan

Kelsey Raffaele, 17, of Sault Ste. Marie, tragically died in a cell phone-related automobile crash in 2010. The Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship has been created in her honor to inspire change in teens who drive distracted and help prevent car accidents.

21. MoolahSPOT Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: MoolahSPOT

Requirements: Essay

This scholarship helps students of any age pay for higher education. The MoolahSPOT Scholarship is a competition based on a short essay. Family income, grades and test scores are not used in selecting a winner. The award must be used for any education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and room and board.

22. Sammy L. Byrd Life Enrichment Scholarship

Amount: Up to $750

Provider: DSD Legacy Foundation

Requirements: (a) Must be a U.S. citizen, (b) 25 years or older, (c) minimum of 200 hours of Community Service hours or Outreach affiliationsThe Dymond Shantyl Dantzler (DSD) Legacy Foundation, Inc. will provide tuition assistance to a prospective college student to assist in the continuation of their education at an accredited college or university with the Sammy L. Byrd Life Enrichment Scholarship.

Get Started with Scholarships for Average Students

Remember: don’t fret if you don’t have a great academic record or activities to add to your resume. You can still apply for financial aid and scholarship awards to help fund your college education. Sign up for Going Merry to start applying for scholarships for average students today. You can fill out a free student profile, enter your information once, and then apply for scholarships. Keep an eye on those scholarship deadlines, rock your scholarship essays, and follow up on the status of your scholarships. You’ve got this!

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Kelly Lamano

Though always a creative, Kelly's momentum into the world of writing and publishing arrived when she attended college. She quickly learned the financial value - and cost - of honing her craft, and sought scholarships that would be crucial to not only funding, but fueling her education. She wants to help new students thrive with Going Merry's easy scholarship finder. Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in Broadcast, Print and Online Media, and a minor in Spanish from Florida Southern College.

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