Scholarships. How do you find them? How do you get them? Everyone needs them yet it seems that everyone has trouble finding suitable ones to apply for. Though there are hundreds upon hundreds of scholarships available, each having various qualifications and surprisingly, not all of these scholarships are academic based. If you aren’t aware, there are some obscure scholarships out there, yet some of these may be beneficial to certain people. Ranging anywhere from the fact that you are left-handed to probably even more specific qualifications that you were born at 11:11 P.M. or something along those lines…
You may think these scholarships are maybe a little out there - but hey, if you have the chance of winning some sum of money for being born on a leap year then why not take advantage of it?
I’ve compiled a list of the 10 weirdest scholarships I have come across:
1. The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest
This is open to any high school senior in the United States. You have a chance to win $1,500 if you can make 4 different duck calls: hail, feed, comeback, and mate. I’m not even sure what it entails, but hey - if you have that talent to talk like animals??
2. Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship
One $5,000 scholarship and two subsequent $1,000 scholarships are awarded to skateboarders in high school who are attending a university/college the Fall after high school graduation and maintained a 2.5 GPA throughout high school.
3. Last Name Scholarships at Specific Schools:
- The Zelp Scholarship - If your last name is “Zelp” and you attend Loyola University in Chicago, you will be provided with a full tuition scholarship for your 4 undergraduate years.
- John Gatling Grant - The North Carolina State University provides a scholarship for students who were born with the surname of Gatling or Gatlin. If qualified, this scholarship provides up to $9,000 for in-state students and $18,000 for out-of-state students.
4. Little People of America Scholarship
If you are a member of the Little People of America (LPA) association (must be 4′11” or shorter), here is the scholarship for you. This organization was founded by Billy Barty, who acted in movies such as Rumpelstiltsken.
5. Duck Brand Duct Tape Scholarship
Creative? Future career in fashion design? If so, maybe you’d like to create your prom dress out of only duct tape? Enter into this contest and recieve a scholarship for having the most innovative duct tape prom dress!
6. Starfleet Academy Scholarships
For members of the “Starfleet Academy” - an organization that trains people in Star Trek Trivia. So if you are a member of this organization, you are in luck!
7. National Candy Technologists Scholarship Program
Do you love candy? Who doesn’t? Though if you are a confectionary genius majoring in food science, chemical science, biological science, or a related area you can apply for this $5,000 scholarship award.
8. The National Make It Yourself With Wool Scholarship
Want to recieve $2,000 for making wool clothing? The National Make It Yourself With Wool organization will accept your wool garmet and judge it based on various categories. Though the winner receives $2,000 and the first runner-up receives $1,000.
9. American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship
Okay, I don’t know much about the fire sprinkler system in my town, but if you do - right an essay on it and submit it to the American Fire Sprinkler Association. You may be awarded one of the seven $3,000 awards.
10. LaFontaine Aquatic Entomology Scholarship
So personally, bugs creep me out. But if you have an interest in water insects you may qualify for this scholarship given by the Federation of Fly Fishers.
And if some of these scholarships are a little TOO out there for you…you can always check into the College Prowler Monthly Scholarship.
If you ever come across a strange scholarship and would like to share it…let us know below!
(photo courtesy of www.flickr.com)
Tue, Jan 6, 2009 by David- Carnegie Mellon
Buzz, Guys & Girls, Wired