How can I apply for scholarships given my lower academic scores in 10th and 12th grades for a Master's/Bachelor's?

Your low 10th and 12th grade scores do not have to close the door on scholarships, since a large part of the funding world looks at financial need, recent performance, or personal circumstances rather than your school transcript alone. The right move depends on whether you are applying for a Bachelor's or a Master's.

Scholarship Strategy by Degree Level

Where to Search and How to Frame Your Story

• Search platforms like Bold.org, Scholarships360, and Niche, which let you filter by criteria such as financial need or first-generation status rather than a strict GPA cutoff.
• If your low scores came from health issues, family circumstances, or financial strain, address it briefly and professionally in your personal statement, then focus on what you learned and how you improved since.
• Secure a strong recommendation letter from an employer, professor, or mentor who can vouch for your work ethic, since this can outweigh a low number on an old transcript.

My Advice

If you are applying for a Master's, book your GRE or IELTS test date now and treat a strong score as your equalizer, and either way, filter every scholarship's eligibility criteria carefully first so you only spend time on the ones that do not have a rigid 10th or 12th grade cutoff.