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C's Get Degrees Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Todd Edwards
$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Aug 14, 2025
Winners Announced
Sep 15, 2025
Education Level
High School
Share
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school student
GPA:
2.0-2.9 GPA
Financial Status:
Financial need
College Plans:
Will attend a four-year college
Education Level:
GPA:
Financial Status:
College Plans:
High school student
2.0-2.9 GPA
Financial need
Will attend a four-year college

Academic performance in high school doesn’t define a student’s potential for success and isn’t always a reflection of their capabilities. 

For a variety of reasons, many students struggle in high school but later find their footing and flourish in college. While these students may not have the highest GPAs, they exemplify the drive to grow, learn, and thrive in a new environment. With the right encouragement, these students can become empowered to discover their strengths and achieve great things in higher education and beyond.

This scholarship seeks to support students who may not have had the highest GPAs in high school but are ready to embrace the growth and opportunities that college can bring.

Any high school student with a 2.0-2.9 GPA may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they have financial need and plan to attend a four-year college. Applicants should be growth-oriented, resilient, passionate about their future, and highly driven.

To apply, tell us about the challenges you have faced, how these experiences have impacted you, why you’re excited about college, and how you will make the most out of the next chapter.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
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Published December 10, 2024
$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Aug 14, 2025
Winners Announced
Sep 15, 2025
Education Level
High School
Share
Essay Topic

High school may not have been your strongest season, but college offers a fresh start and new opportunities. In 500-700 words, share your story: What challenges have you faced in your academic journey and how have they shaped your determination to succeed? Why are you excited about college, and how do you plan to make the most of this new chapter in your life?

500–700 words

Winners and Finalists

September 2025

Winners
Micayla Arnold
Joliet Junior College
Minooka, IL
Finalists
Pablo Del Castillo
Spring Early College Academy
Houston, TX
Adonis Severe
North Miami Senior High School
Miami, FL
Abigail England
Mardela Middle & High
Hebron, MD
Joseph Bagley
Smiths Station High School
Smiths Station, AL
Heily Cruz
Central High School
Bridgeport, CT
Alejandro Arrendondo
Ceiba College Preparatory Acad
Watsonville, CA
Carter O'Connor
Arnold O. Beckman High
Tustin, CA
Colin Brown
Bixby High School
Bixby, OK
Jeremiah Shabazz
Martin Luther King Jr Senior High School
Detroit, MI
raelynne fitzgerald
Wando High School
Mt Pleasant, SC

Winning Application

Micayla Arnold
Joliet Junior CollegeMinooka, IL
“Micayla you are a smart girl you can get all A’s” or “You got a C on your test? What happened to that A?” My parents have always poked at the fact that I NEEDED to be a straight A student so I can get scholarships, or to get a full ride to my dream college. I always knew that they meant well and only want to best for me like how I want the best for myself as well. Having a 2.8 GPA isn’t “great” in most people’s eyes, But I believe I am a very hard worker. My favorite subjects are Science, English and History. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner has been my dream since 7th grade. I have been in Spanish for 2 years, but it still feels like a foreign language to me. I am only good at English because my mom is an English teacher, but spelling the most basic words is like a riddle that takes an overly long time to answer. Math on the other hand, is a toxic relationship I don’t even want to get into. One thing that these classes have in common, is that I still managed to pass them. Failure is not part of my dictionary that are full of the most easiest words my brain makes it hard to spell; Success is. This week in English, I wrote an essay on the word success. In my words “Success is a feeling, becoming self-aware of an accomplishment, goal or desire someone has finally achieved. Although, others like to believe if someone was truly ‘successful’ or not, It should not be their choice; it is the successors.” GPA’s do not choose if I will be successful or not. It also does not tell others if I am a bad student. I get to choose if I am a “bad” student or not. Yes, my GPA may say other wise, but I have passed all my classes, I have never been in summer school, I have never been suspended or expelled and I am such a people person. My mom told me that she has never done good in high school. During college she decided to turn it around. She did end up becoming a straight A student and surprisingly never had any debts. She pushes me to be the best so I wouldn’t have to work as hard as she did. But part of success is defeat. Yes, failure and defeat are different words with different meanings. If I were to give other students advice who are in a similar situation with applying to collages with lower GPA’s, I would say, only you know who you are as a person. It is your decision to show who you are no matter the circumstances. We can be as good as the people with 4.5 GPA’s. Though, it might take a little longer, and more studying, but you can do what you put your mind to. A little push is all you need. Surround yourself with the people who can help you most. This next chapter in my life is going to be huge. But i definitely will live it to the fullest. College will bring me to the right path to setting more goals I know I will succeed. One thing I know about every living person, is that everyone is always leading something new every day. This is only just the beginning.

Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students

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FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Aug 14, 2025. Winners will be announced on Sep 15, 2025.

How will scholarship application information be used?

Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.

What is the scholarship award?

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?

The winner will be publicly announced on Sep 15, 2025. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.

How will the scholarship award be paid?

Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.

How will my scholarship application be verified?

Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.

How should I get in touch with questions?

If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.

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