Bhaktisiddhanta Was Thrice Refused - Prabhupada 0420
740313 - Lecture CC Adi 07.91-2 - Vrndavana
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī explained that, "I was little proud. So I was thrice refused by Guru Mahārāja," although he was the only disciple.
So the scholarship is not a qualification of becoming devotee. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's teaching. Scholarship may help, but it is not necessary. Real necessary is that one should be humble and meek and follow the instruction of the spiritual master. This is real qualification.