Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA for Scholarships?

Can anyone clarify whether colleges prefer to look at a weighted or unweighted GPA when awarding scholarships? I'm trying to understand how my GPA will be evaluated in the scholarship process.

When evaluating applications for scholarships, many colleges tend to focus on the weighted GPA as it provides a more comprehensive overview of a student's academic rigour. The weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty of the courses you've taken (honors, AP, IB, etc) while the unweighted GPA only measures your grades without considering the difficulty level of the courses.

For instance, if you get a B in an advanced class, its impact on your weighted GPA would generally be similar to getting an A in a standard course. This way, it provides a more holistic picture of your academic achievements and capacity to handle challenging coursework.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that the specific criteria used for scholarship awards can vary greatly from one college or scholarship program to another. Some might look at your unweighted GPA in the interest of fairness. Others might only consider your GPA within the context of your coursework (rigor).

I would recommend reaching out directly to the colleges or scholarship programs you're interested in. They can provide information specific to their process and based on their criteria, which will be most accurate. By maintaining transparency and open communication, you can ensure you're presenting your GPA in a way that best serves your chances of receiving a scholarship.