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.
National Potato Council Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
June 14, Annually
Each year, the National Potato Council awards a $10,000 scholarship to honor graduate students pursuing advanced studies in Agribusiness that supports the Potato Industry. /HTMLCHUNK_4/
Final scholarship selection is based on the following criteria: past academic achievement, leadership abilities and potato-related areas of graduate study (i.e. Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Crop and Soil [...] More
The Collegiate Inventors Competition
Application Deadlines:
June 14, Annually
Introduced in 1990, The Collegiate Inventors Competition has rewarded and encouraged hundreds of students to share their inventive ideas with the world. It promotes exploration in invention, science, engineering, technology, and other creative endeavors and provides a window on the future technologies from which society will benefit in the future. /HTMLCHUNK_4/
Up to 15 finalists will win an [...] More
Beef Industry Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
December 13, Annually
Sponsored by CME Group & the National Cattlemen's Foundation/HTMLCHUNK_4/
Ten scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry. Fields of study may include: education, communications, production, research or any other area involved with the beef industry. The purpose of this program is to identify and encourage talented and thoughtful [...] More
American Society for Enology and Viticulture Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
March 01, Annually
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture annually awards numerous scholarships to students pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture, or a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry. The awards are not in predetermined amounts and may vary from year to year. /HTMLCHUNK_4/
The Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, religion, [...] More
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./HTMLCHUNK_4/
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Strong Caddie Record
- Excellent Academics
- Demonstrated Financial Need
- Outstanding Character
Applicants must have caddied for a [...] More
USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow
Application Deadlines:
December 01, Annually
The Chuck Hall Star of To morrow Award annually recognizes star qualities in a male USBC Youth member who competes in the sport of bowling. Star qualities include distinguished certified bowling performances on the local, state and national level, academic achievement and extra-curricular activities. The award winner will receive a $6,000 scholarship. This scholarship will be formally presented [...] More
National Dairy Shrine/Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) Milk Marketing Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
April 15, Annually
The DMI-National Dairy Shrine Milk Marketing Scholarships are based on ability, interests and need. These awards are provided to encourage undergraduate sophomores and junior students to pursue careers in marketing of milk or dairy products. Major areas can include dairy science, animal science, agricultural economics, agricultural communications, agricultural education, general education and [...] More
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
December 01, Annually
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund is considered "The Golf Charity of Massachusetts" and is one of the largest independent scholarship organizations in New England. The Ouimet Fund was founded in 1949 and since that time has awarded over $14.2 Million in need-based college tuition assistance scholarships. The Ouimet Fund is a 501 (c) (3) organization, to which contributions are tax-deductible. [...] More
Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society Rolex Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
December 31, Annually
The mission of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society (OW-USS) is to; promote educational activities associated with the underwater world. There is one scholarship for North American citizens and one for European citizens. Applicants must be certified SCUBA divers and will need to pass a diving physical prior to acceptance of Scholarship./HTMLCHUNK_4/
The scholarships provide a hands-on [...] More
Proton OnSite Scholarship and Innovation Program
Application Deadlines:
February 14, Annually
The Proton OnSite Scholarship and Innovation Program asks applicants to share their great idea for producing hydrogen with water and renewable energy, and how they would use it to solve a real-world problem. High school seniors, college students and adult innovators are challenged find new and creative ways for generating and/or using hydrogen, with the winning individual receiving either a [...] 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. /HTMLCHUNK_4/
A $500 award will be bestowed upon an undergraduate or graduate student each year. Final determination is reached by a committee made up [...] More
National Candy Technologists Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
April 12, Annually
The scholarship award for the recipient is $5,000, paid in two $2,500 installments after verification of enrollment./HTMLCHUNK_4/
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 [...] 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
Collegiate Inventors Competition
Application Deadlines:
June 14, Annually
Up to 15 finalists will win an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. in October to participate in a final round of judging and in the awards dinner and presentation./HTMLCHUNK_4/
One grand prize winner or team will receive $25,000. One undergraduate winner or team will receive $10,000 and one graduate winner or team will receive a $15,000 prize. Academic advisors of the winning entries will [...] More