How to Get a Scholarship with Low Grades in Canada

Let’s face it—not everyone has a perfect GPA. But here’s the good news: you don’t need straight A’s to win a scholarship in Canada. While many awards focus on academic excellence, there are plenty of opportunities for students with average or even below-average grades who demonstrate potential in other ways.

This guide reveals practical strategies to help you secure funding for your Canadian education, even if your transcript isn’t flawless.

Understanding the Scholarship Landscape

First, it’s important to know that scholarships aren’t just about grades. Canadian institutions and organizations award funding based on various criteria:

• Financial need – For students who require assistance
• Special talents – Arts, sports, or unique skills
• Community involvement – Volunteer work and leadership
• Personal background – First-generation students, specific ethnicities, or unique life experiences
• Field of study – Certain programs offer more funding options

Strategies to Win Scholarships with Low Grades

Highlight Your Strengths Beyond Academics

When grades aren’t your strong suit, shift focus to what makes you exceptional:

• Showcase volunteer work: Consistent community service demonstrates character
• Emphasize leadership roles: Even small leadership positions count
• Display work experience: Part-time jobs show responsibility
• Highlight special skills: Coding, languages, or artistic talents
• Share personal stories: Overcoming challenges can be compelling

Target the Right Scholarships

Some awards specifically don’t prioritize grades:

• Need-based bursaries – Focus on financial circumstances
• First-generation student awards – For those whose parents didn’t attend university
• Community service scholarships – Reward volunteer hours over GPA
• Creative/athletic awards – For talents outside academics
• Employer-sponsored awards – Some companies fund employees’ children

Write Powerful Application Essays

Your personal statement can compensate for weaker grades by:

• Telling a compelling story about your journey
• Explaining any grade challenges honestly but positively
• Showing self-awareness and growth
• Connecting your experiences to future goals
• Demonstrating enthusiasm for your chosen field

Secure Strong Recommendation Letters

Letters from teachers, employers, or community leaders can:

• Provide context for your grades
• Highlight qualities not reflected in transcripts
• Show your potential beyond academics

Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths.

Apply Broadly and Strategically

Increase your chances by:

• Searching for smaller, local awards with less competition
• Applying to multiple scholarships (aim for 15-20)
• Prioritizing applications where grades aren’t the main criteria
• Checking with community organizations, religious groups, and cultural associations

Where to Find Scholarships for Average Students

University-Specific Options

Many Canadian schools offer:

• Automatic entrance awards – Some have minimum GPAs as low as 70-75%
• Transition programs – For students showing potential despite academic challenges
• Faculty-specific awards – Certain departments have more flexible criteria

Alternative Funding Sources

Explore these often-overlooked options:

• Employer tuition assistance – Some companies help employees or their children
• Union scholarships – For families of union members
• Professional associations – Many fields offer student funding
• Local businesses – Community companies sometimes sponsor students

Success Stories: Real Students Who Did It

Case 1: A student with a 72% average won $5,000 by highlighting 500+ volunteer hours at a food bank and writing about how it inspired her social work career goals.

Case 2: An aspiring filmmaker with mediocre grades secured $3,000 by submitting a short film portfolio and explaining how his learning disability affected his academic performance but not his creativity.

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay with Low Grades

Worried your grades might disqualify you from scholarships? A powerful essay can help compensate for academic shortcomings by showcasing your unique strengths. Here’s how to craft a compelling narrative that makes committees overlook your transcript.

Reframe Your Academic Story

Address Grades Directly (But Strategically)

• Example: “While my 72% average doesn’t reflect my full potential, the year I spent caring for my grandmother with dementia taught me time management skills no classroom could.”
• Do: Briefly acknowledge, then pivot to growth
• Don’t: Make excuses or blame teachers

Highlight Upward Trends

• Power phrase: “My marks improved by 18% after I…” (tutoring, diagnosis, changed study methods)
• Visual trick: Use a simple graph if allowed

Structure That Wins Over Committees

1. Captivating Opening (3-5 sentences)

Technique: Start mid-action
“The moment I taught my first ESL class to Syrian refugees, I understood what my C+ in English couldn’t show – my gift for connecting across cultures.”

2. Challenge → Growth → Vision Framework

Section	Content	Example
Challenge	Academic struggle + context	“Chemistry made no sense until my ADHD diagnosis”
Growth	Specific improvement actions	*”Color-coded notes and study groups raised my mark from 58% to 82%”*
Vision	Future goals enabled by scholarship	“Now I tutor others using methods that work for neurodiverse minds”

3. Concrete Evidence Over Generalities

Weak: “I’m passionate about helping people”
Strong: *”My 127 volunteer hours at the food bank taught me hunger solutions need both compassion and data analysis – skills I’m developing through…”*

Provincial Scholarships for Students with Low Grades in Canada

While many scholarships prioritize academic excellence, several provincial funding programs in Canada consider factors beyond grades—such as financial need, community involvement, or personal challenges. If your GPA isn’t perfect, these opportunities could still help fund your education.

Province-by-Province Scholarships for Average Students

1. Ontario

🔹 Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) Grants

• Eligibility: Based on financial need, not grades
• Amount: Up to $7,300/year
• Deadline: 60 days before the end of your study period

🔹 Ontario First Generation Bursary

• For: First-generation post-secondary students
• Amount: Up to $3,500
• No minimum GPA required

2. British Columbia

🔹 BC Access Grant for Low- and Middle-Income Students

• Eligibility: Family income-based
• Amount: Up to $4,000/year
• No academic cut-off

🔹 BC Indigenous Student Award

• For: Indigenous students with financial need
• Amount: $1,000–$5,000
• Grades not the primary factor

3. Alberta

🔹 Alberta Student Aid Grants

• Need-based, not merit-based
• Amount: Varies (up to full tuition coverage in some cases)

🔹 Jason Lang Scholarship (for returning students with improvement)

• Eligibility: Must show academic progress (not just high grades)
• Amount: $1,000

4. Quebec

🔹 Quebec Financial Aid (AFE) Loans & Bursaries

• Primarily need-based
• No GPA requirement

🔹 Perseverance Bursary (Bourse de la persévérance)

• For: Students who overcame significant challenges
• Amount: $1,000–$2,500

5. Manitoba

🔹 Manitoba Bursary

• Need-based, no minimum GPA
• Amount: Up to $2,500/year

🔹 Indigenous Achievement Awards

• For: Indigenous students with financial need
• Amount: $1,000–$5,000

6. Saskatchewan

🔹 Saskatchewan Student Aid Grants

• No GPA requirement
• Amount: Varies by need

🔹 Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship

• Automatic $750 for all first-year students (no application needed)

7. Atlantic Canada (NB, NS, PEI, NL)

🔹 New Brunswick Tuition Relief for the Middle Class

• Income-based, not grade-based

🔹 Nova Scotia Student Assistance Grants

• Need determines amount, not grades

🔹 PEI Bursary Program

• For: Students with financial need
• No strict academic cut-off

🔹 New Labrador & Newfoundland Student Aid Grants

• Need-based funding available

How to Explain Low Grades in Your Scholarship Application (Without Sounding Like You’re Making Excuses)

Worried your transcript might ruin your scholarship chances? The key isn’t hiding your grades—it’s framing them strategically. Here’s how to address academic shortcomings while keeping the focus on your potential.

The Right Way to Address Low Grades

1. The “Challenge → Action → Growth” Formula

(Most effective structure for scholarship essays)

Example:
*”When my father lost his job during COVID, I took on 25-hour work weeks to help my family. My grades slipped to a 68% average that year, but this experience taught me time management skills that helped me rebound to an 82% average while maintaining my job. Now, I mentor other students balancing work and school.”*

2. Good vs. Bad Explanations

✅ Strong explanations show:

• Specific obstacles (illness, family responsibilities, learning challenges)
• Documented improvements (upward grade trends, tutoring participation)
• Lessons learned that make you a stronger student now

❌ Weak explanations sound like:

• Blaming teachers (“My professor graded unfairly”)
• Vague excuses (“I had a hard time”)
• No evidence of growth

Where to Include This Explanation

1. In Your Personal Statement

• Dedicate 2-3 sentences max
• Immediately pivot to how you overcame the challenge

2. In the “Additional Information” Section

• Use bullet points for clarity:
  • Fall 2022: 62% average (mother’s cancer treatment)
  • Winter 2023: 78% average after accessing college tutoring services

3. Through Recommendation Letters

Ask recommenders to:

• Briefly acknowledge circumstances
• Emphasize your perseverance
  “Despite caring for her siblings during remote learning, Maria demonstrated remarkable resilience by…”

Final Tips to Improve Your Odds

• Be honest but positive about your academic record
• Apply early and often – More applications mean better chances
• Follow instructions carefully – Don’t get disqualified on technicalities
• Consider upgrading courses – Some schools allow grade improvements
• Look beyond first year – Many upper-year scholarships have different criteria

Remember—universities want diverse student bodies, not just perfect transcripts. Your unique experiences, perseverance, and potential matter. With the right approach, you can find funding to make your Canadian education dreams a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions: Scholarships with Low Grades in Canada

Eligibility Concerns

1. What’s the lowest GPA that can still get scholarships?

While competitive awards often require 80%+, these options exist for lower GPAs:

• 70-75%: Some automatic entrance awards at smaller universities
• No minimum: Need-based, community service, or special talent scholarships
• Conditional offers: Awards that consider improvement trends

2. Can I explain my low grades in applications?

Yes, but frame it positively:
✔ “While my grades suffered during [challenge], I’ve since…”
✔ “My transcript shows consistent improvement in…”
❌ Don’t make excuses – show growth and lessons learned

Alternative Qualification Strategies

3. What if I have no extracurriculars either?

Highlight other strengths:

• Paid work experience (shows responsibility)
• Family caregiving responsibilities
• Self-taught skills (coding, languages, etc.)
• Unique personal circumstances you’ve overcome