Fund Your Education With One of These 40 Weird Scholarships
Career-Related Scholarships
It’s totally normal to enter college without a clear career path in mind. However, if you already have career goals planned out when you’re applying for college, you might find some scholarship opportunities unique to your field. For example, students pursuing careers in printing technology, printing management, graphic communication, or packaging may qualify for the PGSF Full-Time Students Scholarship, which awards $1,000-$5,000 per academic year for up to 4 years.
Some career scholarships, such as the ABFSE Scholarship for Funeral Service Education, require that students have completed at least one semester of study before applying. Here are some options to consider:
Recreation- and Hobby-Related Scholarships
If your parents ever told you that playing video games was a waste of time, you may have a chance to prove them wrong with scholarship opportunities like the Minecraft Scholarship from Apex Hosting, which asks applicants to write an essay about how Minecraft can be a positive influence within their education and career development.
There are actually numerous recreation- and hobby-related scholarships out there, including:
Creative and Talent-Based Scholarships
Scholarships aren’t always just about GPAs and essay submissions. There are many creative and talent-based scholarships that may tap into your artistic skills. One of the weirdest examples is the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Program from Duck® Brand. This contest requires entrants to create and wear original promwear using Duck® Brand Duct Tape or Crafting Tape. Grand Prize winners are awarded a $15,000 Cash Scholarship.
Scholarships Based on Unique Characteristics or Situations
If you’ve faced unique or challenging circumstances in your life, you may qualify for some special scholarship opportunities. For example, the First Responders Children’s Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships to first responder families in recognition of the sacrifices these families make to support safer communities throughout the U.S. Some other special scholarships include:
Scholarships With Fun and Unusual Essay Topics
Essay writing is often a requirement for scholarship applications, but some scholarships offer an opportunity to explore more fun and unusual topics. Some of the scholarships featured here require students to submit a unique original work, like the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards, while others have specific essay topics about books, activism, etc. Feeling more adventurous? Take a shot at the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship, which asks applicants to outline their zombie apocalypse survival plans.
Other Special Interest Scholarships
If you’ve participated in any advocacy for special groups or charitable activities, you might find some opportunities to pursue college funding through special interest scholarships. For example, the Vegetarian Resource Group offers four $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship annually for students who have promoted veganism in their schools and/or communities.
How can I increase my scholarship odds?
Even when you’re applying for niche scholarships, there are likely to be thousands of other applicants vying for the same awards. Therefore, it is helpful to boost your application by focusing on some key credentials that any scholarship program will consider. First, you might consider enrolling in a test prep program to help you achieve competitive test scores on the SAT® and ACT® tests. You can also get a helping hand in writing your scholarship essays by working with a college counselor at KD College Prep. You’ll still need to do the work and provide your original ideas, but our counselors can help you revise and polish your essays so that they stand out from the crowd.
When should you start applying for scholarships?
It’s never really too early to begin applying for scholarships. There are some scholarship opportunities available for elementary school and middle school students, so you should not hesitate to start doing your research early in your academic career. Traditionally, however, most scholarships are geared toward high schoolers, so you should ramp up your scholarship search once you enter high school. Don’t wait for your senior year to start applying!
You should also note that it’s not too late to apply for scholarships if you’ve already begun your college career. While opportunities may be more limited, there are some scholarships that are open to current college students. Some career-based scholarships may even be exclusive to those who have completed at least one semester of college studies.
How many scholarships can you use for college?
There’s no hard limit on how many scholarships you can earn and put toward your education. However, there may be some limitations on how you can use funds set by the scholarship organization. Some scholarships are paid directly to a school’s admissions department and can only be allocated towards tuition and fees. If you already have a full-tuition scholarship and are awarded additional scholarships, you won’t be able to access that extra money. Other scholarships may be more flexible and allow you to use funds for books, supplies, living expenses, and transportation.
How do I earn a full-ride or full-tuition scholarship?
The gold standard are the full-ride scholarships, which cover the full costs of college each year, and the full-tuition scholarships, which cover all of your tuition for each year. Earning these types of scholarships isn’t easy, and the application process may be much more exhaustive than applying for smaller awards and grants. Many full-tuition and full-ride scholarships are need-based, so the first step will be filling out the FAFSA®. You might also need to participate in numerous rounds of interviews, receive written recommendations from teachers or employers, and earn competitive scores on your SAT® and ACT® tests.
The work you need to put in to earn a full-tuition or full-ride scholarship starts early. You’ll need to showcase an impressive academic record from an early age and participate in a variety of activities to demonstrate your community involvement, athletic abilities, or artistic creativity.
What types of scholarships are out there?
In addition to full-tuition scholarships, there are many other types of scholarships out there. These include need-based scholarships, which are designed to help students who demonstrate a significant financial need. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on students’ academic achievements and standardized test scores, while athletic scholarships are awarded to students in exchange for students’ participation in NCAA programs at specific colleges. There are also scholarships that support underrepresented minority students, women, and members of a specific faith.
How do you find lesser-known scholarships?
While there are various scholarships out there, finding them does take a fair amount of research. So, don’t wait until your senior year to start exploring scholarship opportunities. Talk to a college counselor early on in the college prep process to learn about the types of scholarships available and the resources you can utilize to find even more opportunities. Don’t neglect to check for locally offered scholarships from companies and civic organizations in your area.
It’s important to remember that some scholarship competitions can require lengthy applications that take time to prepare, and scholarship deadlines occur throughout the year. It’s essential to plan ahead and explore a wide range of available opportunities.
Need help preparing for college?
The college admissions process can be stressful, but you don’t have to do it alone. KD College Prep offers college counseling services to help you prepare for college and find scholarship opportunities to help you fund your education. Remember, standardized test scores are a key consideration for many scholarships. Take advantage of our test prep programs to stay ahead of the curve.
