Unusual College Scholarships

There are so many oddball scholarships out there these days, and it might not seem likely you will end up winning any of them, but there is always a chance. If you think you might end up $10,000 richer (or even $1,000, for that matter) in exchange for a few hours of your time, though, you probably should check some of them out. Some of them might even be fun! For example:

• Alice McArver Ratchford Scholarship
  This scholarship is offered to students who attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Wait. That’s not all. Students must also submit their FAFSA, be undergraduates, be female, live on campus, have no car, no ring on their finger, demonstrate financial need, and not be the winners of another scholarship. That’s all.
• American Society for Enology and Viticulture Scholarship
  Were you the only fourth-grader who truly appreciated the greatness of a grape jolly rancher? Did you drink fake wine just because? If so, this scholarship may be for you. The American Society for Enology and Viticulture is offering numerous scholarships to students majoring in studies that emphasize the science of the wine and grape industry. Award amounts vary from year to year so check out the American Society for Enology and Viticulture website for updates.
• American Welding Society Scholarships
  The American Welding Society Foundation offers numerous scholarships to students interested in welding-related education or training programs. Award sizes depend on the scholarship. Just make sure you stick with your goals. Those who change their field of study may have to give up their money.
• Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest
  This is a real scholarship. Truly, it’s not a quack. The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest awards $1,500 to the high school student who can call ducks with flare. Those who aren’t top-notch callers but still have some talent may qualify for the other prizes. The first runner-up receives $500, the second $300 and the third $200 in scholarship money. Contestants have 90 seconds to show the judges what they’re made of. Don’t be a lame duck. Give it a shot.
• The Collegiate Inventors Competition
  One graduate and one undergraduate winner of the Collegiate Inventors Competition will be awarded a $15,000 scholarship prize. Entrants are to present a new idea, process or technology to the panel of judges. The presented ideas should be well expressed and plausible. Judging criteria will include, among other things, the project’s potential value to society. A panel of judges from the fields of math, engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, information technology and medicine will examine student submissions.
• Dannie Jasmine Mule Deer Foundation Scholarship
  This scholarship may seem odd to some, but it involves an issue that is very important to many. The MDF (Mule Deer Foundation) works diligently to protect mule and black-tailed deer and has teamed with the Jasmine family to provide an annual scholarship at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The scholarship is in memory of Dannie Jasmine, a Nevadan who was both a conservationist and a hunter, intent on passing his love of nature on to future generations. The recipient of the Dannie Jasmine Mule Deer Foundation Scholarship will be awarded a $500 scholarship and a one-year membership in the Mule Deer Foundation.
• The David Letterman Scholarship
  The David Letterman Scholarship is created for Ball State University students majoring in Telecommunications. Applicants must submit an authentic and creative telecommunication-related project. Projects may be submitted in written, research, audio, multimedia, computer graphic, website or similar presentation form—so long as they can be defined as creative in the area of Telecommunications. The first-prize winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship, the runner up a $5,000 scholarship, and the second runner up a $3,333 scholarship. If you don’t win the first two, let’s hope that 3 is your lucky number.
• The Duck Brand Duct Tape "Stuck At Prom®" Contest
  This is where you and your prom date attend your senior prom dressed in formal wear you’ve fashioned out of Duck brand duct tape and submit a photo of yourselves to their website. Ten finalists are selected and visitors to the site then vote on them. Each of the two entrants that make up the couple who gets the most votes gets $3,000 towards college and some cash for their school to boot.
• Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship
  The Annual Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship of $3000 is designed to assist a student attending an accredited college or university who wishes to pursue the academic study of the science of parapsychology.
• Evans Scholars Foundation Scholarship
  Where would golfers be without their caddies? Not very far. For all of their help, caddies are finally being rewarded by the Evans Scholars Foundation. Each year, the Western Golf Association awards scholarships to more than 200 student caddies. Scholarship winners are required to reside in the scholarship house at each participation college. They must also demonstrate academic merit, financial need, exceptional character and, of course, a great caddie record.
• Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship for Left-Handed Students
  Word of this particular scholarship must have gotten around already, because it seems a lot of people want to know whether there is a scholarship for being left handed. The only scholarship of which we are aware that caters exclusively to left-handed students is the Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship - worth up to $1,000. Unfortunately, right-handed folks aren't the only ones excluded from eligibility for this particular scholarship. Only those who will be attending Juniata College need apply for the "left-handed scholarship".
• Gertrude J. Deppen Scholarship
  Established by Joseph H. Deppen, in memory of his sister, the Gertrude J. Deppen Scholarship is for Bucknell University students who have resided in Mount Carmel for 10 years have graduated from Mount Carmel Public High School. Applicants may not be habitual users of tobacco, intoxicating liquor, and narcotics, nor may they engage in strenuous athletic activities. Those with a little rebel inside may be relieved to hear that a Bucknell spokesman was quoted as saying "We don't go around looking into people's windows to see if they are smoking cigarettes."
• Hood College Heritage Scholarship
  Awarded to a full-time freshmen whose parent or grandparent received a bachelor’s degree from Hood College. Qualified students will pay the same first-year tuition that their parent or grandparent paid when they attended Hood. Unfortunately, the scholarship is limited to the student's freshman year, but imagine how low tuition must’ve been 40 or 50 years ago when grandpa was attending college.
• Illustrators of the Future Contest
  The L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of The Future Contest is an ongoing merit competition for new and amateur artists. Run on a quarterly basis, an eligible entry is comprised of three science fiction/fantasy illustrations done in a black & white medium rendered from the artist's imagination. Should the artist win with this entry, he is then sent a story from the companion L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest for which to render an illustration. This illustration then becomes his or her entry in the yearly Grand Prize competition. Three winners are selected each quarter and are awarded $500 each; the yearly Grand Prize winner is awarded $4000.
• Klingon Language Institute Award
  Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a Klingon-loving Trekky to apply. The Klingon Language Institute (KLI) awards this $500 scholarship award to one graduate or undergraduate student each year. The scholarship was created to encourage the study of and achievement in the area of language. Applicants must be nominated by a school department and must demonstrate academic merit. Submissions should include the nomination letter, two recommendation letters, a resume and a statement of future intent. Final winners are announced at the annual KLI conference a.k.a, of course, qep’a’.
• LaFontaine Aquatic Entomology Scholarship
  This scholarship was created in honor of Gary LaFontaine, a scholar and lover of aquatic entomology. It was established in the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) to aid graduate students in performing research in the field of aquatic entomology. An award in the sum of $500 is granted to each winner.
• Little People of America Scholarship
  The Little People of America scholarship is an award given to future and current students attending a college or vocational school. Prizes range from $250 to $1,000—sometimes more. Although one does not have to be a little person to apply, the greatest preference is given to LPA members who have been diagnosed with a form of dwarfism. Students with dwarf-diagnosed family members and those who demonstrate financial need are also given preference. Having to stand on ones tippy toes during concerts is finally paying off.
• Mycological Society of America Scholarships
  The Mycological Society of America is offering numerous scholarships for students, teachers and researchers involved in the study of mycology. Awards vary in sum from $2,000 to a plaque. If you are fascinated by fungus, look into this one.
• National Beef Ambassador Program
  Those who never won their dream ride in the Oscar Meyer weinermobile may now get their revenge. Who needs baloney when you’ve got beef? A few lucky award winners will get the chance to represent the beef industry, and, as a substitute to the trip, will receive a college scholarship. The National Beef Ambassador Program (NBAP) is a speech and interview competition for students between the ages of 16 to 19. Winners can earn between $2,500 and $250. Speak up. It pays.
• The National Candy Technologists Scholarship
  The American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) awards a $5,000 scholarship to sophomore, junior and senior students who demonstrate an interest in confectionary technology. The award is paid in two $2,500 installments to winners who attend an accredited four-year college or university. Applicants must earn a 3.0 GPA and be majoring in food science, chemical science, biological science or a related field.
• National Marbles Tournament Scholarship
  This isn’t your friendly game of marbles—this is serious business for the eight to fourteen-year-old players who compete. The National Marbles Tournament Scholarship is an award granted to the winners of the annual marbles competition. The King and Queen of Marbles will each receive $2,000, and, to calm things down a bit, a sportsmanship award of $1,000 will also be granted. The eight pages of rules, albeit in large child-like print, will show you just how serious these competitors are.
• The National Rifle Association YES Scholarship
  If you’re into competition, here’s a challenge. This scholarship is much more than an essay, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) is definitely not your typical donor. Of the numerous scholarships offered by the NRA, the Youth Education Scholarship (YES) is one of the most popular. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must first be selected to attend the all-expense-paid NRA Youth Education Summit. During the trip, students learn about the importance of the U.S Constitution, the Bill of Rights and active government participation. Those who attend may then apply for the YES Scholarship which awards students up to $30,000 in college aid. Students who make it past the first elimination round can still earn up to $10,000.
• Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award
  The Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award is granted to 25 high school seniors each year. The scholarship recognizes students who maintain good academic standing, demonstrate leadership skills, perform community service and distinguish themselves athletically. Each winner receives $7,500 in scholarship money, a designated place in the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex and a role in a USA Today Milk Mustache special.
• The Spirit of the Hiram College Hal Reichle Scholarship
  Here is some chicken soup for the college student soul. This scholarship is administered by the Secret Society of Serendipitous Service to Hal, otherwise known as SSSSH. Hal Reichle had a history of secretly surprising people with sweet gifts. He shoveled a schoolteacher’s driveway, mowed an elderly woman’s lawn, repainted a neighbor’s house and paid for a mother’s groceries because she won the "500th customer prize." He was a modern-day Santa Clause and SSSSH is convinced that Hiram College has more of them. It’s about time they were pleasantly surprised.
• The Starfleet Academy Scholarship
  Any active Starfleet member is eligible for a Starfleet Scholarship. The Scholarships are awarded in amounts of $500. Members can be attending community colleges, four-year colleges, most technical schools, junior colleges and universities or graduate school.
• Surfrider Foundation Scholarship Program
  The Sufrider Foundation Scholarship is sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches. The award is a merit-based scholarship offering financial aid to undergraduate, masters and PhD-pursuing students. Prizes include one $2,000, one $3,000 and one $5,000 award. Surfs up: it’s time to save the waters and our pocketbooks.
• Tall Clubs International Scholarship
  The TCI offers tall students a scholarship worth up to $1,000. Applicants must meet the 5'10" female or 6'2" male minimum height requirements. They must also be sponsored by a nearby TCI club, be under 21 years of age and be entering their first year of college the following fall.
• United States Bowling Congress (USBA) Scholarships
  Yes, bowlers have their own congress. If you’re a fan of bowling, you have scholarship opportunities galore. Each season, bowling associations, councils, tournaments and proprietors offer over $6 million in scholarship money. The prizes for a few are listed below:
  • Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow: 1 $1,500 prize renewable for up to three years
  • Annual Zeb Scholarship: 1 $2,500 prize and free trip to award ceremony
  • Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow: 1 $1,500 prize renewable for up to three years
  • Youth Ambassador: 2 prizes each worth $1,500 and a free trip to award ceremony
  • Gift for Life: Up to 12 prizes each worth $1,000
• Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
  Do you preach the benefits of soy to your friends? Is your family frustrated that their chicken has been replaced by chickenfeed? Congratulations. You are one step closer to winning the Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship. High school seniors who promote vegetarianism in their schools and communities are eligible to win one of the group’s two $5,000 scholarships. This is also a benefit to your future school of choice. Each college is required to have at least one student who passes out graphic pro-vegetarian flyers on the quad. You can be that student.
• The Zolp Scholarship
  Here’s an easy one for you- don’t apply unless your last name is "Zolp" and you are Catholic and want to attend Loyola University. Apparently, there was a Father Zolp once upon a time and he was responsible for establishing the scholarship. Of all the goofy scholarships I have seen, this one looks like the toughest one to win. Do you even know anybody named "Zolp"?

Ultimately, though, you may not be surprised to learn that we recommend you conduct a free scholarship search at Scholarships.com to find out what scholarships you are most qualified for rather than spending hours looking for wacky scholarships about which you may have heard and then poring through each to see if you are eligible. The scholarship search will save you precious time you could be using to actually apply for scholarships for which you qualify rather than poring over those you don't. And it's free!