22 Easy Scholarships for Average Students (2021)

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 2020, Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020)

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. Hooked To Books Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient

Provider: Hooked to Books

Requirements: Must be a high school senior, college student, or community college student

They acknowledge the importance of education and highly value knowledge. In an effort to promote reading and education among young people, they are pleased to announce the Hooked To Books Annual Scholarship for college students.

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. HubBase Scholarship

Amount: Up to $500 per recipient

Provider: HubBase

Requirements: Must be a college student

HubBase is a small, yet very dedicated team of highly educated and highly capable professionals who found their groove after working together on several projects related to tech startups in Silicon Valley. They are pleased to offer the HubBase Scholarship to all students currently enrolled in a college in the United States.

5. The Best Hoverboard Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient

Provider: The Best Hoverboard

Requirements: Open to everyone

The Best Hoverboard is an online platform that is putting its arm into education by providing this scholarship to students. The Best Hoverboard Scholarship is open to all students attending or planning to attend college with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

6. General Education Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient

Provider: Westwind Recovery

Requirements: Open to everyone

Westwind Recovery is dedicated to helping to support general marketing education by providing their annual General Education Scholarship.

7. Live Bearded Academic Scholarship

Provider: Live Bearded

Amount: $2,500

Submit: A video

The Live Bearded team are focused on lending a hand to those building their future through higher education. While the company Live Bearded focuses on grooming products for men, the Live Bearded Academic Scholarship is open to males, females, high school students, college students, undergraduate, and graduate students. Send a 90-second video sharing your goals, facts about yourself, and why you deserve the scholarship. Upload your video to a social media platform, fill out your application with a link to your video, and you’re good to go!

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. The Customized Girl Annual Scholarship

Provider: Customized Girl

Amount: $500

Submit: An Instagram post

Customized Girl prints bold statements on customized shirts. Naturally, they know an eye-catching quote when they see one. To apply to The Customized Girl Annual Scholarship, post your statement as a caption on Instagram to be chosen as one of two winners, and your statement may be featured on a customized shirt! Check out past winners on the scholarship page for inspiration.

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. $5,000 Course Hero Scholarships

Amount: $5,000

Provider: Course Hero

In order to win one of the $5,000 Course Hero Scholarships, simply answer a short prompt in 150 words or less, such as “How do you prepare and study to feel confident for your final exams?” If you have more than one college class you’d like to review, you can improve your chances by leaving as many reviews as you’d like!

12. Debt.com Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

Provider: Debt.com

Amount: $500

Submit: A short letter and proof of scholarship applications

Debt.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. Axon Optic’s ‘Migraine Story’ Scholarship

Provider: Axon Optics

Amount: $1,000

Submit: A video, an image, or an essay

Share your story of dealing with migraines or light sensitivity. All full-time students of accredited two- or four-year American universities may apply. Choose from a video (less than 1 minute in length) or an image (photo, drawing, etc.). To qualify for the Axon Optic’s ‘Migraine Story’ Scholarship, the submission must be posted on at least one of the following social media platforms: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram.

15. HeadSetPlus.Com College Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Provider: HeadSetPlus.Com

The HeadSetPlus.Com College Scholarship is designed to help you pay for college…no essay needed! Be creative and create a video with a maximum length of five minutes detailing why you deserve the scholarship and what inspired you to pursue a degree in your field.

Ready to apply for scholarships for average students?

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. Towel Supercenter Community Service Scholarship

Amount: Up to $500 per recipient

Provider: Towel Supercenter

Requirements: Essay

Towel Supercenter is committed to giving back to the community. They believe in the importance of education and want to see students succeed. By offering the Towel Supercenter Community Service Scholarship, their hope is that they are able to help someone afford education that they never would have been able to pay for on their own.

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

19. HOTH SEO Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $1,000 per recipient

Provider: The Hoth

Requirements: Students who are currently studying at or have been accepted to an accredited university may apply to the HOTH SEO Scholarship Program.

20. SiW Internet Marketing Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,200 per recipient

Provider: SEO is War Blog

Requirements: Open to everyone

They are happy to announce their “SiW Internet Marketing Scholarship” for all the young and hardworking students who dream to achieve in their future. They will pay $1200 to one student in this scholarship program.

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. Uplift’s College Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $1,500 per recipient

Provider: Uplift Legal Funding

Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen, demonstrate a strong willingness to succeed despite challenges.

Uplift is excited to announce the Uplift College Scholarship Program. They founded this program so that Uplift can give back to its community. Since founding, Uplift has dedicated resources to giving back. Their firm’s culture thrives on helping those around us achieve greatness.

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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