Top 13 Weirdest Scholarships
Just about every high school senior, undergraduate and even graduate student has looked at or applied for a scholarship or two to help out with the high expenses of college and/or graduate school.
With thousands of applicants for the basic scholarships, it is hard to set yourself apart from others; however, there are some odd scholarships out there to accommodate everyone. This includes unusual talents, features and interests of college students looking for financial assistance.
For a better chance of winning the scholarship money and a way to show off your individuality, here are 13 of the weirdest scholarships out there.
The following scholarships were found on http://weirdscholarships.net.
1. Asthma Scholarships
These four scholarships are applicable for any soon-to-be/current college student that suffers from asthma. Having this illness as a child can be difficult, so particular businesses and companies want to help students who have asthma get through college.
“Schering-Plough Will to Win Asthma Scholarship: This award is given exclusively to students with asthma who are in their last year of high school. In order to be eligible, students must hold at least a 3.5 grade point average, be a citizen of the United States, submit a completed application prior to the deadline (this includes letters of recommendation, a brief story, high school transcripts, and any awards), have been accepted into a college or university, and must show promise in athletics, visual or performing arts, community service, or science. The amount of the award varies.”
“Drs. Lockey, Fox, Ledford, and Glaum Scholarships: This scholarship is available to high school students who are patients at the office of Drs. Lockey, Fox, Ledford, and Glaum. Only students who are citizens of the United States, who plan to attend college in the U.S., and those who show academic promise will be considered. In order to apply, students must submit a recommendation letter, an essay, and their high school transcript prior to the August 31 deadline. The award is not renewable. Additional information can be found here.”
“Colorado Allergy & Asthma Centers Founder’s Scholarship: This award provides a scholarship worth $1,000 to current clients of this center. The award is available to students in their last year of high school, undergraduate college students, and graduate college students. Students must attend an accredited post-secondary college or university and be a U.S. citizen. Additional information and past winners can be found on this website.”
2. Orphan Scholarships
These college scholarships are for orphan students. Students who grew up in orphanages have likely gone through a lot of hardship in their lives, so these five companies want to give them an upper-hand in college with scholarship money.
“Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides a number of different scholarships to students who are orphans. The grants range in value from $2,500 to $10,000 and are renewable for a second year. The lowest award, $2,500, is used to help students afford an internship or a study abroad experience. The $5,000 award is for undergraduate students and the $10,000 award is available for graduate students. Additional information about this award can be found here.”
“LIFE Lessons Scholarship Program provides awards between $5,000 to $15,000 to students who have a parent who is deceased. The scholarship aims to reduce the financial burden that an unexpected or early death can cause for the student. Students can apply for this award anytime between February and June. The applications must be completed online. The competition entails writing a 500-word essay or compiling a video that does not exceed three minutes, related to how losing a parent has affected the student’s financial and emotional situations. Additional information can be found here.”
3. Duck Calling Scholarship
If you are a senior high school student getting ready for college and are into hunting, particularly duck hunting, this is the perfect scholarship for you! The Chick and Sophie company is offering scholarship money for the best duck caller.
4. Tall People Scholarship
If you got made fun of for being tall in grade school, or were known as the “tall boy/girl” in school, this is the unique scholarship for you. You just have to meet the height requirements by the Tall Clubs company to apply to win $1,000 to go to your college education.
5. Pokémon Scholarship
If you are interested in playing Pokémon, here is the scholarship jackpot! To win the scholarship money you will have to compete against other students in playing the card game and make it in the top finals.
6. Bowling Scholarship
If you think of bowling as more than just a fun Saturday night out, you need to apply to this scholarship in order to win money toward your college education.
7. Duck Tape Scholarship
Calling all creative high school students applying for scholarships, here is a fun challenge that could win you up to $10,000. All you have to do is create your prom dress or tux out of Duck Tape! There are so many different designs of Duck Tape out there now, creating our outfit should be fun, and you will also save a lot of money from buying an expensive dress or suit.
“Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest: In order to be considered for this scholarship, students must create their prom attire completely from Duck tape. Students can choose from any color or design of Duck tape that is available on the market. After creating their outfit, they must submit photos as well as some brief information about them and their design. In mid-June, voting takes place and students are prompted to vote for their favorite designs via the website. The first prize scholarship is worth $10,000, and the company also provides scholarships worth $1,000, $3,000, and $5,000 to runner-ups. Additional information about the prizes can be found here.”
8. Comedian Scholarship
This scholarship is for all the funny students who want to show off their talents and earn some money while making people laugh.
“Make Me Laugh Scholarship: This scholarship is perfect for those class clowns out there! The scholarship provides $1,500 to help students fund their education. In order to apply, applicants must create a story that will have the judges rolling on the floor with laughter. The story can be based on truth or fiction. Students must be at least 13 years of age to apply and all applications must be received prior to the application deadline.”
The following scholarships were found on http://www.fastweb.com.
9. Greeting Card Scholarship
For the creative and artsy students, you can earn money for your unique artwork by creating a greeting card.
“Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest
Award Amount: $10,000
Available To: High School Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Whether you’re an artist, have quick wit, a graphic artist or photographer (or some other creative type), this greeting card contest has the freedom to express yourself on your own terms! If you don’t like to be defined or placed inside of a box, read on, friend.
The Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest is open to currently enrolled high school and college students in the United States. To enter, you must design a holiday, get well, or birthday greeting card and submit your work to be judged. Your photo, art, or graphics submitted must be your own original work and you must be at least 14 years of age to be eligible for this award. Learn more about the Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest.”
10. Funeral Service Scholarship
This may be the weirdest scholarship: any student interested in working with corpses has the chance to win $2,500 to go towards their tuition.
“American Board of Funeral Service Education-National Scholarship
Award Amount: $2,500
Available To: College Sophomores through College Seniors
There are even scholarships for those who feel that working with corpses is their calling. (We can all relate to this career choice on some level; after all, the living can get on everyone’s nerves!)
The American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship is open to students who are pursuing study in a program in funeral service or mortuary science education in an ABFSE-accredited program. To be considered for this award, you must have completed at least one semester/quarter of study and have at least one remaining before graduation. This award is based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities, recommendations and the articulateness of the application itself. U.S. citizenship is also required. Learn more about the American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship.”
11. Clown Scholarship
If you are interested in being a clown, you have to check out this scholarship opportunity.
“Clowns of America International Scholarship
Award Amount: Varies
Available To: High School Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
If you’re always clowning around anyway, perhaps you should consider a new career and start getting paid for it.
The Clowns of America International (COAI) Scholarship is available to students enrolled in family entertainment educational programs that run for a minimum of 10 hours. You must be a COAI member in good standing for at least one year in order to be considered for this award. Get more information on the Clowns of America International Scholarship.”
The following scholarships were found on http://www.yescollege.com.
12. Most Creative Sandwich Scholarship
Students who are interested in being a chef, or are just creative with their food, this is an easy scholarship to apply for. All they have to do is create a creative sandwich.
“Jif Most Creative Sandwich Contest : Jif Peanut Butter holds the Jif Most Creative Sandwich Contest as a fun way to award students preparing to attend college. The award includes a scholarship worth $25,000, as well as a Jif Peanut Butter Basket worth $50.”
13. Bug Lover Scholarship
If you go looking for bugs, like spiders, instead of running away from them, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. Finally a chance to show off your ‘weirdness!’
Award Amount: Varies
Available To: College Juniors through Graduate Students, Year 1 through Year 5
Entomology is the scientific study of insects. If you can’t get enough of spiders and other creepy crawlers, more power to you!
The LaFontaine Aquatic Entomology Award is available to graduate students doing a research project in aquatic entomology. You must submit your resume, a short synopsis of your project, and a letter of recommendation from your faculty advisor to be considered for this award. Learn more about the LaFontaine Aquatic Entomology Award.”