Your Worth Is More Than a Number

Let’s face it — grades and test scores have long dominated the scholarship landscape. For many students, this has created a high-pressure environment where academic statistics seem to define opportunity. But what happens if you’re not a top scorer? What if your talents lie outside traditional measures?

You’re not alone. And the good news? You’re not disqualified.

Across the UK, the US, and beyond, a growing number of scholarship providers are recognising the value of well-rounded individuals — people who bring creativity, resilience, leadership, and vision to the table, regardless of exam results. There are no GPA scholarships, test-optional awards, and alternative merit-based grants that offer real opportunities for students who dare to be different.

This guide is your roadmap to scholarship success that isn’t dictated by numbers — but by your story, your passion, and your potential.

Why Some Scholarships Don’t Require GPA or Test Scores

A group discussion at a table, with one person reviewing a marked paper covered in notes and checkmarks, engaged in conversation.

1. They Value the Whole Person

Increasingly, scholarship programmes are moving towards holistic evaluation. That means assessing not just academic performance, but who you are and what you contribute.

Providers are now funding students who:

  • Run community projects
  • Create digital content or art
  • Have overcome hardship
  • Are building social impact platforms or small businesses

Why? Because they understand success isn’t always linear, and passion often outperforms perfection.

2. They Support Non-Traditional Learners

Academic institutions are seeing a rise in:

  • Mature students
  • Gap year travellers
  • Career changers
  • Online learners and homeschoolers

These students may not have standardised test scores or recent transcripts, but they bring life experience, self-motivation, and a fresh perspective. No GPA scholarships make room for those whose paths don’t fit the typical timeline.

3. They Encourage Access and Inclusion

Traditional academic structures often leave out those from underserved or marginalised backgrounds. Scholarships without test scores or academic thresholds aim to remove these barriers, creating access for those with:

  • Learning differences
  • Disrupted education
  • Responsibilities at home
  • Limited schooling opportunities

They widen the field and focus on effort, not privilege.

Top Scholarships Without GPA or Test Score Requirements

A student sits at a desk, focused on a pink notebook, while peers engage in a classroom setting with soft natural light.

Here are some of the best scholarships you can win, no matter your academic record.

1. Courage to Grow Scholarship

  • Award: $500 monthly
  • Criteria: A 250-word essay on why you deserve the scholarship
  • Why it stands out: Values persistence and storytelling more than scores

2. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

  • Award: $10,000
  • Criteria: Submit original artwork for a greeting card design
  • Perfect for: Artists, illustrators, or creative thinkers

3. Niche ‘No Essay’ Scholarship

  • Award: $2,000 monthly
  • Criteria: Simply enter your name
  • Bonus: No grades, no essays, no hassle

4. Scholarships4Moms & Single Parent Grants

  • Award: Up to $10,000
  • Criteria: Be a parent enrolled or planning to enrol in college
  • Highlights: Recognises the challenge of parenting while studying

5. Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000 per quarter
  • Criteria: Quick entry form
  • Targeted at: Students who just want a simple, fast route to funding

6. #BecauseCollegeCounts Scholarship (Iowa-based)

  • Award: $500–$1,000
  • Selection: Random draw
  • Good for: Students committed to higher education, regardless of academic profile

7. Unigo’s ‘Flavour of the Month’ Scholarship

  • Award: $1,500
  • Task: Write a fun essay about your favourite ice cream flavour
  • Why it’s great: Combines personality and playfulness with funding

8. David Letterman Scholarship (Ball State University, US)

  • Award: $10,000
  • Eligibility: Submit a creative media project
  • Interesting Fact: Founded by the TV legend, this scholarship honours innovation over marks

9. Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship

  • Award: Up to $5,000
  • For: Children of military families
  • Note: Academic scores are not the first selection filter

Where to Find These Opportunities

Scholarship Databases

Use reliable portals and filter by “no GPA” or “no essay”:

  • Niche.com
  • Unigo
  • Cappex
  • Fastweb
  • The Scholarship Hub (UK)

Local Libraries and Councils

Check noticeboards, youth centres, and council websites for niche scholarships from:

  • Local businesses
  • Community trusts
  • Charities or churches
  • Rotary Clubs

Social Media and Online Communities

Follow hashtags like:

  • #NoGPARequired
  • #CreativeScholarship
  • #ScholarshipAlert

Reddit (especially r/scholarships) and Discord communities can also be treasure troves of niche scholarships and non-traditional awards.

How to Win Alternative Merit Scholarships

A graduate in a cap and gown holds a diploma with a red ribbon, seated at a desk with a laptop and a plant.

1. Lead with What Makes You Unique

Forget what you don’t have — spotlight what you do. Maybe you:

  • Ran a Twitch stream that raised money for charity
  • Designed a campaign to save your local park
  • Wrote a novel during lockdown

These stories are gold. Use them.

2. Craft a Personal Essay That Resonates

If an essay is required, focus on these:

  • Why you care deeply about your work
  • How adversity shaped you
  • What you hope to achieve with the scholarship

Avoid trying to sound “impressive.” Be real and purposeful.

3. Polish the Details

No matter how casual the scholarship seems:

  • Proofread every entry
  • Format documents cleanly
  • Use professional contact information
  • Name your files appropriately (e.g., “Jones_ArtPortfolio.pdf”)

4. Apply Often, Apply Wide

Many alternative scholarships are small and frequent. Applying to 10 smaller ones might yield more results than one high-stakes application.

5. Don’t Get Scammed

Red flag alert:

  • Never pay to apply
  • Avoid scholarships promising guaranteed success
  • Check for real contact details and previous winners

Real Student Story: Liam’s Journey

Liam from Liverpool always struggled with exam anxiety and opted for a homeschool path. While he had no GCSEs or UCAS points, he had passion — a YouTube channel where he recreated historic events in Minecraft.

When he saw a media-based scholarship calling for “digital storytelling,” he submitted a three-minute video blending voiceover, animation, and gameplay. He won.

“I didn’t have grades to back me up,” Liam said, “but I had something else. I had a story.”

Conclusion: You Are More Than a Metric

Grades don’t define your value. Nor should they limit your future.

The rise of scholarships without GPA or test requirements is more than a trend — it’s a movement toward inclusive opportunity. Whether you’re a creative spirit, a committed volunteer, or just someone who learns differently, there is funding out there that sees you.

This is your reminder: you are scholarship-worthy, exactly as you are.

Your Next Steps

  • Bookmark three scholarships that excite you from this list
  • Start preparing a project or story that shows your strengths
  • Ask someone for a reference or feedback on your portfolio
  • Set a goal: apply to at least one scholarship this week

Would you like a downloadable list of no-GPA or other unusual scholarships? Let us know in the comments — we’ll create a free PDF guide to help you take the next step with confidence.