Can I get a good scholarship even five years after high school with a 3.0 GPA?

You will not receive a full ride scholarship to an American college as a International applicant with a 3.0 GPA. I think it would be nearly impossible to get one even if you add a 1400 or 1500 SAT test score to your GPA.

The least expensive options are going to be schools like this list. I think BYU is the most reasonable at around $20,000 for tuition, room and board for an Int'l student.

Brigham Young University-Provo

Eastern New Mexico University

Nicholls State University

Bridgewater State University

Minnesota State University-Moorhead

Mississippi University for Women

Southwest Minnesota State University

Delta State University

Bemidji State University

Henderson State University

I think it would be wiser to apply to Brazilian college that teaches in English and attend it for a couple years. I would pick a major that can be easily transferable to an American college. Focus on getting the best possible grades and getting honors for your school work. Then I would apply to American University as a transfer student. I think the colleges in Brazil that teach in English are University of Sao Paolo, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Federal University of ABC

Or just go to college in Brazil and apply to Graduate School in the US after you have earned your degree.

Good luck.

Hi, thank you for asking your question! I agree with @CameronBameron here that it will be very improbable for you to receive for a full-ride MERIT scholarship with a 3.0 GPA even if your SAT score is stellar. Additionally, other components of your application will have to be pristine to qualify for a prestigious full-ride scholarship. However, receiving institutional financial aid can be a possibility based on the financial status you indicated.

So I returned to school 5 years after my hs graduation—I attended community college, which I wouldn’t have had I continued with the college out of hs plan. Now, i chose this because of cost, finishing my asssociates and will transfer. I haven’t paid a dime for school, I’ve actually been “paid” to go to college. I didn’t do particularly well in hs, but I am about to graduate with a 3.75 in premed/chemistry (95 ochem), so I have been performing well… I’ve received various grants, some government or university based, also won random scholarships I didn’t know I was submitted for…. So absolutely school can be covered, just explore options. My goal was to come out with as few loans as possible.

I understand you would be applying from another country to the US, I would advise to try and get some college credit under your belt then transfer. They care how you are now and who shows up now, not 5 years ago. Based on hs performance I don’t see a full ride happening right now, but if you prove yourself first it may!

I don't if it is possible to receive a full tuition with a 3.0 GPA, however because you're from Brazil (colleges like foreign people sometimes) you might be able to get a decent scholarship if you do well on the SAT and write a compelling essay. A college near me offers a 2000 dollar scholarship for anyone above a 3.2 GPA. Hope you found this informative and helpful!