7 Spectacular Spring Scholarships [2023 Edition] (2025)

FAQs

What are the chances of me winning a scholarship? ›

Odds of Winning a Scholarship

Only about 1 in 8 college students wins a scholarship, and the average amount used to pay for college is about $4,200 a year. Very few students win $25,000 or more in scholarships each year (only about 0.1%). Among the students who win scholarships, 97% win $2,500 or less.

Some colleges, especially private schools, automatically consider each applicant for a merit-based scholarship, which is awarded during the acceptance process. These types of scholarships are often the easiest to obtain, since they do not require a separate application.

Other ways to find unclaimed scholarships include asking your specific college or university what they offer, using the library's recommendation section, reaching out to businesses in your field of study, speaking to your high school counselor, and asking religious organizations if they offer scholarships.

An athletic scholarship may cover some or all of your tuition costs, depending on the school. Athletic scholarships are some of the hardest to receive.

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.

GPA (grade point average) can play a big role in the likelihood of getting a scholarship. But it's not as big a deal as you think. 30% of all scholarships in the United States are awarded to students with a GPA between 3.0 to 3.4. Only 4% of scholarships are given to students with a GPA of 3.5 to 4.

No-essay scholarships may be easier to apply for, but your chances of winning may be slimmer than with traditional scholarships that require an essay. If a no-essay scholarship has fewer requirements, taking less time and effort than others, there are likely to be more students who apply.

How do they pick people for scholarships? ›

Scholarship providers often assess academic performance based on GPA, standardized test scores, and overall academic record. These metrics provide insights into an applicant's ability to excel academically and succeed in their chosen field of study.

Scholarship Overview

Each year, the scholarship awards $2,500 to one (1) student who submits an ~250-word essay answering the prompt “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?” If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

Focus on your education, improve your grades, help out in your community and hone your hobbies. Not only could this help you apply to other scholarships, but it also should remind you that you are you! Although scholarships are important, it is your goals and aspirations that set you apart from others.

You're not being consistent. Many students will get inspiration to apply to scholarships and then quickly lose steam when they don't immediately see any wins. If you've applied to dozens of scholarships and haven't heard back the best thing you can do is: Set a monthly goal and consistently meet your target.

Over 1.7 million scholarships are awarded annually; however, only 7% of college students will receive a scholarship.

Another reason why scholarships are hard to obtain is the number of applications submitted for the same scholarship. Many scholarships receive hundreds of applications for an award that only has one winner. This means thousands of people could apply and not even be considered.

How hard is it to get a full ride scholarship? Less than 1 percent of students get full ride scholarships, showing just how difficult it is to earn one.

Only 7% of college students will receive a scholarship. The U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarship money annually. On average, first-time undergraduates who receive government grants and scholarships at a 4-year college receive about $13,690 annually.

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.