Weird Scholarships

Everyone is normal until you get to know them. Then, “the weird” comes out. By fully embracing your weird factor, you could increase your chance to win and land yourself some serious scholarship money to help pay your college tuition. Weird scholarships aren’t just an opportunity to showcase your weird hobbies, personality or interests. It’s also a chance to apply for scholarships that could help you pay for school. These weird scholarships are open to all kinds of people. You’ll find scholarships for women, easy scholarships, scholarships for high school students, scholarships for college students, scholarships for graduate students, no essay scholarships – the list goes on and on. Essentially, there is a scholarship program here for everyone. Though weird scholarships may not carry the prestige of the Coca-Cola Scholarship or the National Merit Scholarship, they still provide a way to pay for college. And that’s the whole reason you’re here, right? From duck calling to puppetry, we’re spreading the weird with our top weird scholarships.

Writers of the Future Contest

Deadline: 3/1/2020 Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student - Year 5 Award Amount: $5,000 L. Ron Hubbard wasn’t just the founder of Scientology, he was a brilliant science fiction author. His scholarship, the Writers of the Future Contest, aims to provide budding science fiction authors the opportunity to get some exposure in the field. Every three months, an award of $1,000, $750 or $500 is distributed to a winner, and each year, one recipient receives a grand prize scholarship worth $5,000. Get more information on the Writers of the Future Contest.

Doodle 4 Google Contest

Deadline: 3/13/2020
Available to: Students Grades K through 12
Award Amount: $30,000 The Doodle 4 Google Contest is open to students in grades K through 12. To be considered, you must use your creativity to create your own interpretation of the Google logo. Your doodle must be based on the following theme: "I show kindness by..." Get more information on the Doodle 4 Google Contest.

Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship

Deadline: 10/30/20 Available to: High School Seniors Award Amount: 100% of Tuition The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is available to high school students who have a superior caddie record for two or more years. You must have completed your junior year of high school, have above a "B" average in college preparatory courses, and have taken the ACT. You must also demonstrate financial need, outstanding character, integrity, and leadership to be eligible for this award. Get more information on the Evans Scholarship.

Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: 12/4/20 Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student - Year 5 Award Amount: Up to $5,000 The Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a course of study related to vacuum coating technology. Practitioners already working in the vacuum coating technology field are also eligible to apply. Get more information on the Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation Scholarship.

Ursinus College Creative Writing Award

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Seniors Award Amount: $40,000 The Creative Writing Award is available to students entering Ursinus College. You must demonstrate outstanding originality and potential as a creative writer and submit no more than 10 (double spaced) pages of creative writing in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or some combination of genres to be eligible for this award. Get more information on the Ursinus College Creative Writing Award.

Bernard Steur Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Freshman through College Senior Award Amount: Varies The Bernard Steur Scholarship is available to students at Philadelphia University. You must be a textile engineering student with a strong interest in knitting to be eligible for this award. Get more information on the Bernard Steur Scholarship.

Multiples of Illinois Scholarship

Deadline: 9/1/20 Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student - Year 5 Award Amount: Up to $250 The Multiples of Illinois Scholarship is open to those who are parents of twins, triplets or other multiple births, and those who are children of members of Multiples of Illinois. You must have completed coursework during the year with a minimum grade of "C" in order to be considered for this award. Get more information on the Multiples of Illinois Scholarship.

American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship

Deadline: 4/1/2020 Available to: High School Seniors Award Amount: $2,000 Want to light a fire under your college tuition bill? Check out the American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship. This scholarship, for $2,000, is awarded to five high school graduates. After reading about fire sprinklers, applicants are required to answer a ten-question, open-book quiz on their benefits. Get more information on the American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship.

AACT's John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: 4/3/2020 Available to: College Sophomore to College Senior Award Amount: $2,000 Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, we found the most scrumptious scholarship for you. Sponsored by the American Association of Candy Technologists, the John Kitt Memorial Scholarship is available to college sophomores, juniors and seniors who have demonstrated an interest in confectionery technology. Applicants must also attend an accredited college or university, be majoring in food science or a related field and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Get more information on the AACT's John Kitt Memorial Scholarship.

Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Seniors Award Amount: $2,000 Your friends may tease that you’re a modern-day Snow White, but you can’t help that you can talk to animals! Now, your practiced quirk will finally pay off in the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest. Four prizes are given away each year at the contest that takes place around Thanksgiving. The winning duck whisperer brings home a scholarship worth $2,000. Get more information on the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest.

Tall Clubs International Scholarship

Deadline: 2/1/2020 Available to: College Freshmen Award Amount: $1,000 Despite a general public misconception, not every tall person can play basketball. If chances of an athletic scholarship are slim to none, try the Tall Clubs International Scholarship. Female applicants must be at least 5’10” while male applicants should be at least 6’2”. The tallest winner is Dave R., who stretches 7’3”. And no, he does not play basketball. Get more information on the Tall Clubs International Scholarship.

“Stuck at Prom” Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Students Award Amount: Up to $10,000 Sure, you may get quizzical looks when you walk into prom dressed in duct tape—but it’s worth it for the $10,000 scholarship. Each individual in the couple will win a scholarship for the best duct tape apparel creation, and outfits are judged on workmanship, originality, use of color, accessories and amount of duct tape used. Get more information on the "Stuck at Prom" Scholarship.

Little People of America Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Freshman through College Senior Award Amount: Up to $1,000 The Little People of America (LPA) association offers the LPA scholarship to members of its organization, which works to provide information and support to people of short stature and their families. Membership is offered to people who are 4’10” or less in height. Get more information on the Little People of America Scholarship.

David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Juniors and Seniors Award Amount: Up to $10,000 The David Letterman Scholarship was established by David Letterman in 1985 to provide scholarships for telecommunications students at Ball State University. The awards are intended for average students who nevertheless have a creative mind. Winners are selected primarily based on creativity. Projects may involve a variety of media, including written work, research, audio, video, graphics and film. Get more information on the David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship.

Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Freshman through College Seniors Award Amount: Up to $25,000 The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors several essay contests: • The Anthem Essay Contest is open to high school freshmen and sophomores. It provides annual cash awards for short, original, unpublished essays on the philosophic themes in Ayn Rand's novel, Anthem. • The Fountainhead Essay Contest is open to high school juniors and seniors. It provides annual cash awards for short, original, unpublished essays on the philosophic themes in Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountainhead. • The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is open to all college students. It provides annual cash awards for short, original, unpublished essays on the philosophic themes in Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged. Get more information on The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest.

UNIMA Grants and Scholarships for Puppetry

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate School – Year 5 Award Amount: Up to $1,000 UNIMA Grants and Scholarships for Puppetry enable members of UNIMA the chance to study either domestically or internationally the art of puppetry in a workshop of their choice. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have some experience in puppetry and/or a university degree showing an interest in puppetry. Get more information on the UNIMA Grants and Scholarships for Puppetry.

US Bowling Congress Scholarships

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Seniors through College Seniors Award Amount: Up to $6,000 US Bowling Congress sponsors several scholarships for bowlers in varying amounts for males and females as well as high school and college students. Get more information on the US Bowling Congress Scholarships.

Marsh Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Seniors through College Seniors Award Amount: Up to $8,000 The Marsh Scholarship is available to current Eastern Surfing Association members in good standing. You must submit a letter of recommendation and a short letter detailing your future goals and how your choice of educational institutions will help you reach your goals in order to qualify for this award. Award selection is based on academics and citizenship rather than athletic ability. Get more information on the Marsh Scholarship.

Rodeo Club Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Freshmen or Transfer Students Award Amount: Varies The Rodeo Club Scholarship is open to entering freshman or transfer students enrolled in the Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. You must be majoring in animal science, be enrolled full time, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be planning to participate in the Rodeo Club NIRA sanctioned events to be eligible for this award. Get more information on the Rodeo Club Scholarship.

American Welding Society Scholarships

Deadline: Varies Available to: Varies Award Amount: Up to $3,500 The American Welding Society Foundation offers several scholarships, including the John C. Lincoln Memorial Scholarship as well as fellowships and loans for students enrolled in a welding-related educational or training program. Get more information on the American Welding Society Scholarships.

North American Mycological Association

Deadline: Varies Available to: Graduate Students Award Amount: Up to $10,000 The North American Mycological Association offers graduate fellowships for students who are studying mycology (spores, mold and fungus). Get more information on the North American Mycological Association.

TAPPI Scholarships

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Sophomores to College Seniors Award Amount: Up to $2,500 TAPPI awards several scholarships relating to the pulp and papermaking industries. The TAPPI web site also lists a variety of other scholarships, ranging from the best paper award to scholarships for corrugated packaging. Get more information on the TAPPI Scholarships.

Vegetarian Resource Group Association

Deadline: 2/20/2020 Available to: High School Senior and College Freshmen Award Amount: Up to $10,000 The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) offers scholarships each year to graduating U.S. high school seniors who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and communities. The application requires an essay about how the applicant promoted vegetarianism in their high school or community. Get more information on the Vegetarian Resource Group Association.

American Society for Enology and Viticulture

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Juniors and Seniors Award Amount: Varies The American Society for Enology and Viticulture awards several scholarships to students studying grapes or winemaking. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture or other curricula emphasizing a science relevant to the wine and grape industry. Get more information on the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Scholar-Chessplayer Award

Deadline: Varies Available to: High School Juniors and Seniors Award Amount: $1,500 The Scholar-Chessplayer Outstanding Achievement Award is available to high school juniors and seniors who excel in academics, chess play and sportsmanship. You must be a current member of the U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) and submit letters of recommendation and an essay describing the positive influence chess has had on your life. Get more information on the Scholar-Chessplayer Award.

Hiram College Hal Reichle Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Sophomores and Juniors Award Amount: Varies Hal Reichle took great pleasure in helping others and would do so secretly and serendipitously. In his memory, family and friends funded a scholarship at Hiram College to reward students for their random acts of kindness. Recipients are chosen on the basis of their humanitarian efforts, community involvement, and volunteerism. Get more information on the Hiram College Hal Reichle Memorial Scholarship.

Alice McArver Ratchford Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Freshmen to College Senior Award Amount: Varies The Alice McArver Ratchford Scholarship is a need-based scholarship for female undergraduate students at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro who must be single, live on campus, don't own a car, have never been married and have no other scholarships. Get information on the Alice McArver Ratchford Scholarship.

Paula Nieto Twin Scholarship

Deadline: Varies Available to: College Freshmen and Sophomores Award Amount: Varies The Paula Nieto Twin Scholarship is available to students who are twins at Carl Albert State College. Get more information on the Paula Nieto Twin Scholarship.