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Introduction: Weird Scholarships
Students often think that you need to have straight-A's or demonstrated financial need in order to qualify for scholarships. This couldn't be further from the truth! In this post, we're diving into unusual and weird scholarships!
Let's dive in with a bit more detail!
The reality is that there are tons (and I mean TONS!) of unusual scholarships out there to help you fund your college education. These scholarship awards vary greatly in their requirements; some are essay contests, others are artistic challenges.
Despite these differences, there is one main connector among these opportunities. They seek to award money for school based on your involvement with hobbies, your passions, or other unique aspects of your personality. It's important to note that some of these scholarship programs may also ask that you meet certain academic requirements as well, such as a minimum GPA.
There are so many weird scholarships out there for you to explore. To get you started with this piece of the process, below is astarting point for your search for unique scholarships. Keep reading for our list of some of the most unconventional, crazy and unique scholarship opportunities that are out there for you to apply for.
One of two winners of the 2021 Stuck at Prom scholarship!
Weird scholarships - THE LIST!
- Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline:Quarterly (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31)
Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and graduate students of all years in the US!
Details:Not a weird scholarship, just a shameless plug! This is our own scholarship fund contribution to helping students fund their higher education.
- Do Something Scholarships
Amount:Varies (usually $500 - $2,000)
Deadline:Ongoing
Eligibility:Open to all US students ages 26 and under.
Details:All scholarships by Do Something involve performing acts ofcommunity service and activismin exchange for being entered to win scholarships!
- Doodle for Google Scholarship
Amount:Varies ($5,000 - $30,000)
Deadline:February 26
Eligibility:Open to students from kindergarten through grade 12.
Details:This scholarship requires you to enter an original doodle and explain how it represents your inner strength. Doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication. National finalist winners receive $5,000 each, and the grand prize winner receives $30,000.
- Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Amount:$5,000 - $10,000
Deadline:February 20
Eligibility:Open to graduating U.S. high school seniors who promote vegetarianism (includes veganism) in their schools and/or communities.
- Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship
Amount:$1,000
Deadline:March 1
Eligibility:Open to ~vertically gifted~ students. This means women over 5'10" and men over 6'2".
- The American Society for Enology and Viticulture Scholarships
Amount:Varies (up to $12,500)
Deadline:March 1
Eligibility:Open to students studying Enology/Viticulture, otherwise known as the wine and grape industry.
- Create a Greeting Card Scholarship
Amount:$10,000
Deadline:March 2
Eligibility:Open to high school andcollege students who are aged 14 and older.
Details: This scholarship contest asks students to submit an original photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a greeting card.
- Stuck at Prom Scholarship
Amount:Varies ($500 - $10,000)
Deadline:June 8
Eligibility:Open to students ages 14 and older. Must be a legal resident of the United States and the District of Columbia. This excludes residents of Maryland, Vermont, and Colorado and residents of the Province of Quebec).
Details: The Stuck at Prom Scholarship is open to Students are challenged to create their own prom outfits made entirely from Duck Tape® (Duck Brand). Award amounts vary from $500 for runner-ups to $10,000 for two grand-prize winners.
- Minecraft Scholarship
Amount:$2,000
Deadline:July 31
Eligibility:Open to high school and college students who are US citizens. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Details:Must write a short essay about your opinion on how Minecraft can be a positive influence within your education and career development.
- Rodeo Enthusiast Scholarship
Amount:$500
Deadline:August 15
Eligibility:Open to incoming and current college students.
Details:Simply write a short essay on your rodeo story for the chance to win a $500 scholarship.
General scholarship tips
Since we're talking about scholarships in this post, it wouldn't be right to not include a few quick tips for applying.
- Be UNIQUE, Be YOU! One of the most important pieces of advice I impart on students as they work on their applications is to unleash their individuality. This advice holds true even more for these weird and unusual scholarships! When writing essays for these opportunities, the goal is to make them stand out from the rest.
- Make sure you're eligible (and aware of all application requirements) before you apply. This tip should go without saying, but I will say it here anyway! It is crucial to double check eligibility and application requirements for each and every scholarship you find before you dive into applying. Doing so will minimize the likelihood that you apply for an opportunity you're not eligible for, or apply without all of the necessary requirements!
- Ask for help when you need it. I'll be the first to admit that the process of searching and applying for scholarships can be confusing. So, whether you have questions along the way or would like an extra set of eyes to read over an essay, don't be afraid to seek out your resources and ask for help!
Weird scholarships - To conclude...
There you have it- my running list of wacky, weird, and unusual scholarships!
There may not be a scholarship on my list above that applies to you. However, the important message that I want you to walk away with is that there truly are scholarships out there for everything!
Not all scholarships (like some students are led to believe) are awarded solely for being an A+ student or a star athlete. So, as you apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, make sure you consider all of your unique qualities and interests. You never know when they can help you along the way!
