Weird Scholarships
When it comes to winning scholarships, geek
is chic. Often, a college scholarship
is not awarded solely based on major, academic ability, test scores, or athletic
talent, but according to a variety of criteria likely to indicate potential for
college success. Students who think creatively, express themselves well, and demonstrate
an interest in acquiring a great depth and breadth of knowledge are likely to stand
out in scholarship applications, as well
as the college application process.
Students with unusual talents and interests often find themselves uniquely suited
to art scholarships,
writing scholarships, and a variety of other weird
scholarship opportunities. It makes sense. A typical scholarship contest
will seek applicants who stand out from the crowd, and some, like the weird scholarship
contests mentioned below, seek students who have spent their entire lives standing
out from the crowd. The scholarship applicants whose talents and interests have
already earned them school-wide recognition are likely to also receive recognition
from scholarship providers, especially where wacky or unusual scholarships
are concerned.
Free scholarship money abounds for students
with a penchant for the unusual. The hippie girl is going to clean up in
green scholarships and community service scholarships for all her high school activism. The guy who memorized
pi to 250 places is almost guaranteed some sort of
academic scholarship. Duct Tape Pants Guy and the girl hauling around a
battered copy of The Fountainhead can win thousands of dollars just for celebrating
their talents with a photograph or scholarship essay, as well. Even the sci-fi kids can win multiple weird
scholarship awards.
In addition to merit scholarships, scholarships for women, scholarships for minorities,
or other well-known categories, weird scholarships are also worth investigating.
If you have a weird talent, there might be a weird scholarship for it. The only
way to know is to look, so conduct a scholarship search,
check off all your "out there" interests in your profile, and start
finding money for college.
Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
September 30, Annually
The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a grant that covers tuition and housing (when applicable) in an Evans Scholarship House and may be renewed for up to four years at the Foundation's option.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Caddie
- Academic
- Financial Need
- Character
Applicants must have caddied for a minimum of two years at a WGA-affiliated club, rank in the upper [...] More
The Kor Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
June 01, Annually
The purpose of the Kor Memorial Scholarship is to recognize and encourage scholarship in fields of language study. Familiarity with Klingon or other constructed languages is not required, however creative and innovative applicants are preferred.
A $500 award will be bestowed upon an undergraduate or graduate student each year. Final determination is reached by a committee made up of the KLI [...] More
National Candy Technologists Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
April 16, Annually
The scholarship award for the recipient is $5,000, paid in two $2,500 installments after verification of enrollment.
To qualify for this non-renewing scholarship award, the student must:
- Be either a college sophomore, junior or senior for the upcoming academic year
- Have a demonstrated interest in confectionery technology (this can include many activities including but not limited to [...] More
LaFontaine Aquatic Entomology Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
April 01, Annually
This grant was created to honor Gary LaFontaine and the aquatic entomology he loved and spent his life studying. A fund has been established in the Federation of Fly Fishers Foundation, to support graduate students (MS or PhD) doing a research project in aquatic entomology. A resume, a short synopsis of the project, and letter of recommendation from his or her faculty adviser are requested for [...] More