Many Nigerian university students assume that scholarships are only available to students with first-class grades. That assumption can discourage students with second-class or average results from applying.
The reality is more nuanced. Scholarship providers set their own eligibility requirements, and academic performance is only one factor in some selection processes. Other programmes may place greater emphasis on financial need, leadership, community involvement, professional experience, a specific course of study or other criteria.
However, you should never assume that grades do not matter. Some scholarships have strict CGPA requirements, so the first step is always to check the specific scholarship rules.
Do You Need a First-Class CGPA to Get a Scholarship?
No, not every scholarship requires a first-class CGPA.
A first-class result can strengthen an application for scholarships based on academic merit, but it is not a universal requirement.
For example, the Federal Scholarship Board’s Nigerian Scholarship Award currently requires undergraduate applicants to meet a specified CGPA threshold. Its published criteria state that undergraduate applicants must have at least a 4.0 CGPA on a five-point scale or its equivalent, while NCE and HND applicants have a separate CGPA requirement.
This means a student should not judge eligibility simply by asking whether they have a first class. The more important question is whether their result satisfies the particular scholarship’s published criteria.
What If You Have a Second-Class Degree?
A second-class result does not automatically prevent you from receiving every scholarship.
The important distinction is between scholarships that have a fixed academic threshold and scholarships that consider a broader set of qualifications.
Some awards may require a particular class of degree or CGPA. Others may assess leadership, professional experience, community impact, financial circumstances, academic potential or the relevance of your proposed study.
For postgraduate opportunities, requirements can also differ substantially from undergraduate scholarships. Therefore, always read the current eligibility criteria before deciding that you are not qualified.
Can You Get a Scholarship With a Second-Class Lower?
It depends on the scholarship.
If a scholarship specifically requires a first-class or a minimum CGPA above your result, you will not meet that particular academic requirement.
However, a second-class lower does not mean that every scholarship opportunity is closed to you. You can look for opportunities whose eligibility criteria do not set a higher academic threshold than your result.
You should also strengthen other parts of your application. Relevant work experience, volunteering, leadership, professional achievements, a strong personal statement and clear career goals can matter where the scholarship evaluates applicants more broadly.
What Other Factors Can Help Your Application?
Leadership Experience
Leadership can demonstrate that you have taken responsibility and achieved results.
This does not necessarily mean becoming a student union president or holding a major elected position. Organising a student project, coordinating volunteers, leading a community activity or managing an academic initiative can provide useful evidence.
Some scholarship programmes explicitly assess leadership and influencing skills. Chevening, for example, asks applicants to demonstrate leadership and influencing through concrete examples and results.
Community Involvement
Scholarship providers may want to understand how you contribute beyond the classroom.
Volunteering, community education, mentoring and other activities can demonstrate your willingness to use your skills to help others.
The strongest examples are specific. Instead of simply saying that you are passionate about your community, explain what you did, who benefited and what you learned.
Financial Need
Some scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance to students who face economic barriers.
If financial need is part of the eligibility criteria, provide truthful information and any documents requested by the scholarship provider.
Do not exaggerate your circumstances. Scholarship applications may require evidence, and inaccurate information can lead to disqualification.
Course of Study
Some scholarships target students in specific academic fields.
These can include areas such as science, technology, engineering, medicine, agriculture, education or other fields identified by the provider.
This means a student with an average CGPA may still find relevant opportunities if their course and other qualifications match a scholarship’s target group.
Career Goals
A clear career direction can make your application easier to understand.
Explain what you want to achieve with your education and how the scholarship would support that plan.
Avoid making unrealistic promises. A simple explanation connecting your education, career and intended contribution is usually more useful than a collection of impressive-sounding statements.
How Can Students With Average Grades Improve Their Applications?
If your CGPA is not outstanding, focus on the areas you can control.
First, identify scholarships for which you genuinely meet the eligibility requirements. Do not spend most of your time applying for awards that require a CGPA above yours.
Second, improve the quality of your personal statement or motivation letter. Explain your goals, experiences and reasons for applying clearly.
Third, document your achievements outside your grades. Keep records of volunteering, leadership positions, competitions, projects, internships, professional training and community activities.
Fourth, continue improving academically. An average result today does not mean your academic record cannot improve before graduation.
Should You Apply If You Do Not Meet the CGPA Requirement?
Generally, no.
If the scholarship clearly states a minimum CGPA and you are below that requirement, applying does not solve the eligibility problem.
Instead, use the requirement as a filter. Look for scholarships where your academic result meets the stated threshold and where your course, level, nationality, financial circumstances or other qualifications fit the criteria.
This saves time and helps you concentrate on opportunities where you are actually eligible.
What If Your Grades Improved Over Time?
Academic improvement can be useful evidence of progress, especially when a scholarship asks applicants to demonstrate development or potential.
For example, a student whose early university results were weak but whose later semesters show consistent improvement can explain the change honestly.
Do not hide poor results if the application asks for your complete academic record. Instead, focus on what changed, what you learned and how you are performing now.
Can You Get a Fully Funded Scholarship With Average Grades?
It is possible to find scholarships with different academic requirements, but you should not assume that an average CGPA automatically qualifies you for a fully funded award.
Fully funded scholarships often have competitive selection processes and may combine several eligibility requirements.
Some opportunities may also be designed for particular academic levels, countries, fields or professional backgrounds. The only reliable way to determine eligibility is to read the current requirements for each programme.
The Federal Ministry of Education currently publishes different scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students, illustrating why students should assess each programme separately rather than use one general CGPA rule for every scholarship.
How to Find Scholarships That Match Your Profile
Start with the eligibility section of the scholarship announcement.
Check:
- Minimum CGPA or academic qualification
- Current academic level
- Course or field of study
- Nationality requirements
- Institution requirements
- Financial-need conditions
- Age requirements, where applicable
- Leadership or work experience
- Required documents
- Application deadline
Do not rely only on social media posts advertising scholarships. Find the official application information and confirm that the opportunity is current.
Conclusion
You do not need to assume that a first-class CGPA is the only route to scholarship funding. However, you also should not assume that grades are unimportant.
Scholarships have different eligibility rules. Some require specific CGPA thresholds, while others consider a broader combination of academic performance, leadership, financial need, community involvement, career goals or other qualifications.
If you have a second-class or average result, focus on scholarships whose requirements match your profile. Then strengthen the rest of your application with genuine evidence of your achievements, goals and potential.
