Top Scholarships for Students with Low CGPA: Fully Funded Opportunities You Can Still Get.

Many students believe that having a low CGPA automatically disqualifies them from getting scholarships. This is not true. While some scholarships are strictly merit-based, thousands of opportunities around the world focus on skills, leadership, financial need, creativity, community service, or personal background—not just grades.

In this detailed guide, you’ll discover the best scholarships available for students with low CGPA, how to apply for them, and practical strategies to increase your chances of winning.

Why Low CGPA Students Still Qualify for Scholarships

Scholarships aren’t only created for top-performing students. Many organizations understand that:

Not all students have equal access to quality education.
Life challenges like financial hardship, illness, or family responsibilities can affect grades.
Students may excel in areas outside academics, such as leadership, sports, or community work.

Because of this, many fully funded and partially funded scholarships focus on holistic evaluation, considering:

Motivation and career goals
Personal story and background
Extracurricular activities and leadership
Financial need
Volunteer experience
Talents, skills, or creativity

This means your CGPA is just one part of your profile, not the entire picture.

Top Scholarships for Students with Low CGPA

Below are some of the best scholarships worldwide that accept students with average or low CGPA, as long as they meet other requirements.

1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Eligibility: Not CGPA-based
Level: Master’s
Coverage: Fully funded (tuition + stipend + travel)

The Chevening Scholarship, funded by the UK government, focuses on leadership potential, not academic grades. Many past winners had average GPAs but strong professional experience and community involvement.

Why students with low CGPA qualify:
Chevening cares about your impact, vision, networking ability, and ambitions—not your school results.

2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship (Europe)

Eligibility: GPA not strictly required
Level: Masters
Coverage: Fully funded

Erasmus Mundus evaluates applicants based on academic background, work experience, and motivation letter. Many programs accept students with 2.2 degrees or lower GPAs as long as their application documents are strong.

3. DAAD Scholarships – Germany

Eligibility: CGPA less important than motivation letter and experience
Level: Masters & PhD
Coverage: Fully funded

DAAD is one of the world’s most generous scholarships. While academics matter, DAAD looks more at research potential, career goals, and work experience.

Students with average grades can still win if their purpose statement is strong.

4. Australia Awards Scholarship

Eligibility: Considers professional experience, not only CGPA
Level: Undergraduate & postgraduate
Coverage: Fully funded

Australia Awards is one of the most flexible scholarships. Many African and Asian students with low GPAs have won this scholarship due to exceptional work experience, leadership roles, or personal achievements.

5. Chinese Government (CSC) Scholarships

Eligibility: Many universities accept minimum GPA of 2.5
Level: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
Coverage: Fully funded

China offers thousands of scholarships each year, and many universities are open to applicants with average or low GPAs. A strong recommendation letter and research proposal can compensate for grades.

6. Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships

Eligibility: GPA not the main determining factor
Level: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
Coverage: Fully funded

MEXT emphasizes entrance exams, interviews, and recommendations more than CGPA. Students who perform well during interviews often win, even with modest grades.

7. University of Manitoba Scholarships (Canada)

Eligibility: Financial-need based
Level: Undergraduate
Coverage: Partial to full funding

The University of Manitoba offers need-based grants that do not focus on GPA. Students who can demonstrate financial struggles and strong personal motivation can qualify.

8. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

Eligibility: Holistic evaluation
Level: Masters & PhD
Coverage: Fully funded

While Fulbright is competitive, it does not eliminate applicants solely based on GPA. Candidates with compelling stories, community service, or leadership experience often get selected even with average grades.

9. Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility: Focus on financial need & leadership
Level: Undergraduate & Masters
Coverage: Fully funded

This scholarship prioritizes African students facing economic hardship. A strong CGPA is not mandatory; what matters is leadership potential, community service, and impact.

10. Community College & Technical Scholarships (USA/Canada)

Many community colleges offer scholarships that have no GPA requirement. These scholarships aim to encourage education accessibility for everyone.

Examples include:

College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Horatio Alger Scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship

These programs are especially friendly to students rebuilding their academic careers.

How to Increase Your Chances of Winning Scholarships with a Low CGPA

Even with a low GPA, you can still stand out by strengthening other parts of your application.

1. Write a Powerful Personal Statement

Your essay is the most important part of your application. Use it to:

Explain any challenges that affected your grades
Highlight your growth, resilience, and determination
Describe your goals and how the scholarship helps you
Show passion for your chosen field

A genuine, emotional essay can be more impactful than a high GPA.

2. Get Strong Recommendation Letters

Ask teachers, employers, or mentors who can speak about:

Your character
Your work ethic
Your talents
Your leadership qualities

A strong recommendation can greatly offset a low GPA.

3. Highlight Skills and Achievements

Show your strengths such as:

Volunteering
Leadership roles
Tech or digital skills
Freelance work
Certificates and short courses
Community influence

These prove that you have potential beyond academics.

4. Build Work Experience

Many scholarships—especially in UK, Germany, and Australia—value professional experience. Even part-time work or internships can improve your profile significantly.

5. Apply Early and Apply to Many Scholarships

The more scholarships you apply for, the higher your chances. Many low-GPA-friendly scholarships receive fewer applicants, increasing your opportunity.

Final Thoughts

A low CGPA does not mean the end of your academic dreams. Many universities and international scholarship programs take a holistic approach, emphasizing leadership, passion, financial need, community involvement, and long-term goals.

With a strong personal statement, great recommendations, and determination, you can secure fully funded scholarships even with average grades.