Honestly, thats how I personally feel about the situation.  I had a massive tumor removed when I was 16, and it affected a whole bunch of stuff.  I worked my ass off in order to get grades, and get everything.  That way when I actually got numerous decent scholarships, it wasnt just because I had that setback, its because I beat the shit out of that setback.  I recovered however, so I suppose it may be different yet.  I have always lived by the fact that you are never just handed anything, you constantly have to make what you want to happen, happen.  So eh, I dont know.  I am fortunate enough to where I find academics relatively easy though, so for people it doesn't come as easy to I'm sure they are working their ass off a lot of times even if they dont have stellar grades.  So pretty much the whole scholarship thing is all in relation to a given individual's situation.