You don’t have to be a scholar to get a scholarship. While some scholarships have minimum academic requirements, there are plenty do not. That might seem contradictory since scholarships are often given to kids with good grades, but many funds also award accomplishments outside the classroom, such as superb community service or leadership. Students also win scholarships for their non-academic talents in areas like music, art, or athletics. Many of these scholarships only require that applicants maintain satisfactory grades. In other words, if you pass your classes, you’re eligible to apply. So even if you’re not making straight A’s, don’t be intimidated. The best things in life are free, and nothing beats free money.

To find scholarships that you may be eligible for, check out the Fastweb database.