Scholarships that are Odd and Unsual
Weird and unusual scholarships make the whole process of applying to scholarships a lot more interesting, that’s for sure. Most of the time when applying to scholarships you’ll end up filling out similar applications, writing similar essays and reading directions that ask for very similar things. That can get a tad boring, especially if you’re applying to several scholarships in a relatively short period of time.
That’s where those weird and unusual scholarships come into play. Not only are they unique, but they also have some impressive payouts that make it worth it to apply.
Types of Weird and Unusual Scholarships
There are so many different weird and unusual scholarships available that I can’t possibly list them all here. However, we can go over a few of them just to give you an idea of what’s out there.
First, you should know that unusual scholarships are typically based on odd characteristics or talents that some students may have. For instance, there is a scholarship just for left-handed students. So, if you are a lefty, you should definitely apply! Another popular odd scholarship is the Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest. For this contest, you will need to attend your school’s prom in the spring and make you and your date’s attire entirely out of duct tape. The prize is $2,500. Yeah, $2,500 for making a duct tape dress!
Another really interesting scholarship is the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award. Also known as the SAMMY Award, this scholarship requires that applicants have good grades and be strong athletes. So, it’s not all that odd, really, but the milk mustache part attracts attention.
A lot of weird scholarships are fun like this, but others have a bit more of a serious spin. For instance, there are scholarships for students with disabilities such as a scholarship for blind students. There are also scholarships for students with asthma and those that are overweight.
Unusual scholarships also cover the variety of interests people may have. There’s scholarships for bird watchers and boy scouts. There’s scholarships for farmers and accordian players. Literally, just about any activity you could possibly participate in, there is a scholarship for.
If you are involved in sports, but not exactly the most common of sports, there are scholarships available for you too. There are scholarships for bowlers and badminton enthusiasts and scholarships for bicyclists and lacrosse players. Whatever your sport of choice is, there’s an unusual scholarships available for you.
How to Find Weird and Unusual Scholarships
Finding weird and unusual scholarships is really not that hard. Just make use of the many online scholarship search sites such as FastWeb and College Board. After filling out a series of questions, you will be matched up with the scholarships you qualify for. If you take part in any unusual activities, you will be paired up with scholarships that match your interests.
You can also search the unusual activity you enjoy and add the word “scholarship” to it in your search engine. You’ll probably find something that’s just perfect for you.
Don’t forget to visit your high school counselor and the financial aid office of the college you plan on attending as well. They can provide you with up to date scholarship listings, including those oddball scholarships.
And if you want to go completely retro, why not make a stop to your local library? There are many books on the topic of scholarships that can help you locate valuable resources. Of course, make sure you check up on the validity of each scholarship you are interested in. Call the contact number or search the web for the award. If everything looks good, then go ahead and apply.
Weird and unusual scholarships are like all other scholarships when you get down to it. Their subject matter is just a little off the wall. But that can make things interesting. Money is money, after all!