I've been searching for scholarships that don't heavily weigh GPA in their selection criteria. My GPA is decent, but I know my strengths lie in other areas like community service and sports, and I want to leverage those for college funding.
Does anyone have recommendations or experiences with non-GPA scholarships? I'm especially looking for ones that appreciate diverse talents and achievements or have creative application processes. I'd appreciate advice on where to find them or tips on the application process. Thanks in advance!
Sure, there are indeed a number of scholarships that focus on talents, skills, interests, and special circumstances rather than GPA.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards grants scholarships to students who have made a difference through volunteering. Another scholarship, the Doodle 4 Google Contest, might be a great fit if you're interested in art and design - they usually ask students to create a Google Doodle for a chance to win a scholarship. There's also the Stuck At the Prom Scholarship Contest where students make prom attire out of duct tape, a perfect opportunity for a creative application process.
For student athletes, you may want to take a look at the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes program, which provide scholarships to students who show strong leadership in sports and their communities. Another athlete-focused resource is the Positive Coaching Alliance, which provides scholarships for athletes with a positive attitude in sports.
In terms of finding these scholarships, I recommend using scholarship search platforms like Appily and Fastweb. These platforms allow you to filter your scholarship search based on various criteria, ensuring you find scholarships that match your unique skills and interests.
When applying, make sure to highlight your special talents, involvements, and achievements in your essays and applications - this is what will set you apart from the crowd. Also, remember to apply as early as possible and ensure you meet all the requirements before submitting your application.
Best of luck! Remember, there are plenty of opportunities out there, so keep searching and applying. You'd be surprised at the diverse range of scholarships available.
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