easy scholarships no one knows about

38 Weird Scholarships for Unique Students in 2023

Are you a left-handed high school senior?  A Pokemon master?  A graduate student with a passion for tattoo removal? Believe it or not, there’s a scholarship for you.

As it turns out, there are more wacky and weird scholarships than you can imagine. And they’re here to help you make education affordable. Explore this list and find where you fit. When you’re ready, Going Merry makes applying a breeze . 

1. Stuck at Prom Scholarship

2. collegiate beef advocacy program, 3. national marbles tournament, 4. amish descendant scholarship fund, 5. getting real about distracted driving, 6. the unima-usa scholarship, 7. foreclosure.com scholarship, 8. starfleet scholarships, 9. gypsy lore society young scholars’ prize, 10. american fence association scholarships, 11. michael moody fitness scholarship, 12. dolphin galleries scholarship for the visual & creative arts, 13. future designer scholarship, 14. cosmetology scholarship, 15. square cow movers scholarship for community impact, 16. “be bold” no essay scholarship, 17. triumph over adversity, 18. sarah e. huneycutt scholarship, 19. tiffany green operator scholarship, 20. heisman high school scholarship, 21. two ten higher education footwear design scholarship, 22. cleveland browns foundation marion motley scholarship, 23. greater than gatsby annual scholarship, 24. skin care ox: beauty + wellness scholarship for women, 25. the zombie apocalypse scholarship, 26. american association for nude recreation education foundation, 27. american association of candy technologist’s john kitt memorial scholarship, 28. the asparagus club scholarship, 29. american fire sprinkler association scholarship, 30. national potato council scholarship, 31. doodle 4 google scholarship, 32. tall clubs international foundation scholarship, 33. “yes for liberty” constitution bee scholarship, 34. vegetarian resource group scholarship, 35. create-a-greeting-card, 36. flying musicians association solo program, 37. alpine scholarship, 38. bmw/sae engineering scholarship.

Start your search with these 38 unique college scholarships for high school students :

Amount : Up to $10,000

Niche : Crafty prom attireGet ready to create the ultimate prom attire with duct tape! With the Stuck at Prom Scholarship , you’ll be literally stuck at prom using Duck brand duct tape to assemble your outfit. High School Juniors and Seniors will create and wear prom attire assembled with the crafting tape, then take a photo, and submit their creation for public voting. There are 4 scholarship awards in total: 2 for the Dress Category and 2 for the Tux Category.

Amount: $2,000

Niche: Beef advocate

Don’t start beef. Instead, advocate for it and potentially earn a college scholarship! The Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program connects high school graduates to beef industry experts to access mentorship, cattlemen and cattlewomen, to help improve leadership skills.

Amount: Varies

Niche: Mibster

Fellow mibsters – a.k.a. marble shooters – the National Marbles Tournament awards 4 college scholarships per year. The requirements? Applicants must be between the age of 7-14 and have won a local marble championship. Gamers unite in Wildwood, New Jersey for a tournament of over 1,200 marble games for this wacky college scholarship contest. 

Amount : $20,000 worth of scholarships

Niche: Amish lifestyle

To qualify for the Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund , students must have grown up Amish and have a family who is continuing to live an Amish lifestyle. Students must also have earned their GED or high school diploma. The ADSFund aims to help Amish and former Amish students fund their college education.

Amount : $1,000

Niche: Educate people on the dangers of distracted driving

To raise awareness for distracted driving, scholarship applicants will design an advertisement to educate people on the dangers of not paying attention behind the wheel, while including a bit of humor or irony in the ad. The Getting Real About Distracted Driving scholarship is a creative opportunity to help fund your college tuition and do some community service! ( Like this scholarship? Also check out our Scholarship Bundle on safe driving .)

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Puppetry

The UNIMA-USA Scholarship awards American puppeteers who desire to study puppetry abroad. Scholarship applicants must either have professional experience in puppetry, a puppetry degree, or a demonstrated commitment to the art of puppetry in order to apply for this wacky scholarship.  

Amount: Up to $4,000

Unusual ask : Write about renting vs. owning a home

These college scholarships aim to educate the community about various topics in real estate. In order to apply to the Foreclosure.com Scholarship , simply enter the essay contest with a paper between 800 and 2,000 words about the pros and cons of renting versus owning a home. The first place winner receives a $4,000 scholarship while second and third place winners receive a $1000 scholarship.  

Niche : Star Trek fans

Star Trek fans can apply for these unique STARFLEET Scholarships worth $1,000. Applicants must have been members of STARFLEET for at least one year before applying for this unusual scholarship. STARFLEET is made up of hundreds of local chapters with the aim of providing a base for Star Trek fans to interact. 

Award : $500

Weird ask: Essay on Romani culture

The Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize aims to promote the study of Gypsies and Travelers in Romani culture. This unique scholarship is open to both college students and graduate students alike. The award will be given to the writer of the best unpublished paper on the topic, and Gypsy Lore Society members are given priority.  

Award: $5000

Niche : Family involved in fence industry

The American Fence Association awards these little-known college scholarships each year at FENCETECH. Recipients must either be employed in the fence industry or be the immediate family member of an employee in the industry. Additionally, American Fence Association Scholarship applicants must have a B average GPA and have done at least 40 hours of community service. Winners do not need to be members of the AFA to qualify. 

Amount: $1,500

Niche: Fitness-related career

High school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students may apply. The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship supports students focusing on health and fitness related careers. Academic achievement and extracurricular activities are taken into applicant consideration but there is no GPA requirement.

Niche: Arts major or minor

Students must pursue an arts related major or minor for their higher education in order to apply for this unique scholarship. The Dolphin Galleries Scholarship asks for the works to relate to the expression of culture in the modern age. The art will be evaluated on originality, creativity, artistic skill, and substance. International students may apply.

Niche: Designer

College students with a flair for the arts and an interest in greeting card design are encouraged to apply to this Future Designer Scholarship . Applicants to this design-a-greeting-card scholarship will enter using original artwork. CardsDirect hints at wanting December holiday-themed works from scholarship applicants!

Amount: $2,500

Niche: Studying cosmetology

Students studying cosmetology or any related field may apply to this Cosmetology School Scholarship sponsored by Beauty Schools Directory. Example majors are esthetics, nail technician, fashion design, electrology, and barbering.  

Niche: Interested in helping the community

Students with an interest in community service are encouraged to apply to the Square Cow Movers Scholarship for Community Impact. The scholarship asks applicants to delve into explaining the important relationship between community projects and businesses in their essay contest.

Amount: $25,000

Niche: Risk-takers

Bold.org believes the future of our world will be molded by earnest, determined risk-takers. If that sounds like you, the “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship contest should be on your list. The award amount is generous and will go a long way to help offset student loans. The winning profile will demonstrate a high degree of boldness and students who apply early have a greater chance of winning!

Niche: Tenacious learners

Each of us face challenges in everyday life. But for those living with a disability, even daily tasks like completing homework or being a full-time student can seem impossible. The Triumph Over Adversity Scholarship seeks to award determined high school students who have either personally overcome adversity to experience academic success or aided a friend in doing so. 

Amount: $20,000

Niche: Female golfers

If you’re a female student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who’s interested in golf, but not quite ready to play at the collegiate level, the Sarah E. Huneycutt Scholarship is an excellent opportunity to further your education and love of the game. The award adds to the college fund of one lucky recipient for four years of college or university at an accredited school in Florida. If you’re interested in exploring more scholarship programs specific to female college students, check out our comprehensive list .

Amount: $10,000

Niche: Music lovers

In the world of unusual scholarships, this one is just the right kind of weird – think jam sessions, music festivals, and live concerts. Funded by the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation, the Tiffany Green Operator Scholarship goes to support a student in their pursuit of a career in live entertainment. Win this essay contest by convincing the judges of your love for music and its impact on your career aspirations!

Niche: Community-minded athletes

The word “Heisman” conjures images of standout collegiate football players. But the Heisman High School Scholarship has a different focus: highlighting student-athletes with notable achievements off the field and in their communities. If your financial aid package wasn’t quite enough and you’re passionate about your community, this award and other community service-focused scholarships can help put a little extra money into your college fund!

Amount: $3,000

Niche: Sneakerheads

Ever thought about turning your love of sneakers into a career? The Two Ten Higher Education Footwear Design Scholarship could make that dream a reality. This unusual scholarship goes to a student studying design with a specific focus on footwear. Applicants must submit three different designs from their portfolio, so sharpen those pencils!

Niche: Football fans 

The Cleveland Browns want to support the next generation of Ohio-based sports executives and educators. If that sounds like a win to you, check out the Cleveland Browns Foundation Marion Motley Scholarship . This scholarship award supports two passionate students for four years of higher education. 

Niche: Content creators

Jay Gatsby is an American icon. Every depiction of him in popular culture is perfectly lit, shot, and edited – just like the photographs that’ll win the Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship ! This scholarship program is targeted toward artistic-minded students, regardless of GPA, with dreams to pursue visual arts higher education and a career in photography or any related art form. 

Niche: Beauty buffs

Put your encyclopedic knowledge of face masks and eye creams to good use! The Skin Care Ox: Beauty + Wellness Scholarship for Women is a scholarship program for female students with a love for wellness and clean beauty. To be eligible for this weird scholarship, simply write a compelling essay about your commitment to a healthy lifestyle as a student. Winners receive a basket of organic beauty goodies in addition to financial aid!

Niche: Thrill seekers

The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship takes the cake for the most unusual scholarship! This creative essay contest asks students to imagine their school has been overrun by zombies, and then come up with a plan for survival. With no GPA requirement or letters of recommendation, applying for this scholarship money is much less scary than outrunning a hungry zombie. 

Niche: Nudists

If nude recreation – like swimming, hiking, or playing volleyball – is important to your mental health and wellbeing, check out this unique scholarship from the American Association for Nude Recreation Education Foundation. This scholarship contest rewards those with previous experience with the American Association for Nude Recreation.

Amount: $5,000

Niche: Dessert people

Talk about a delicious deal! The American Association of Candy Technologists’ John Kitt Memorial Scholarship rewards college students who are studying food science with an extra-sweet $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship money is paid in two installments throughout one school year. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to be eligible for this financial aid. 

Niche: Veggie vendors

If you envision a career selling asparagus at the farmers market or your local independent grocer, the Asparagus Club Scholarship can put some extra cash into your college fund. This award is open to students from college sophomores up to graduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and above. 

Niche: Lucky students 

This scholarship opportunity requires nothing but luck and an intention to enroll in college. The American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship is chosen entirely at random and regardless of financial need or GPA. The AFSA has two competitions – one directed at high school seniors entering college and another for anyone of any age seeking a second chance at higher education after receiving their GED or high school diploma equivalent. 

Niche: Spud Lovers

Sponsored by the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation, the National Potato Council Scholarship is a great target for graduate students with a focus on agricultural studies. Ideal candidates for this award will be conducting research that benefits the potato industry. The winner will be chosen based on a combination of criteria including academic achievement and areas of study related to the potato industry. 

Amount : $30,000

Niche : Illustrating Google

The Doodle for Google Scholarship is an award for artistic high school students who may submit a doodle illustrating the name “Google” using any materials. Students must also include a doodle description – an artist statement explaining the doodle and how it represents something that inspires the student. Doodles will be judged based on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication (how well the student expresses the theme in the artwork and written statement). 

Niche: Tall people 

If you’re exceptionally height-advantaged, the Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship could be the scholarship for you. The application calls for high school students, either men and women under 21, who are entering their freshman year of college. The minimum height requirements for membership in Tall Clubs International is 5’ 10” for women and 6’ 2” for men. There’s no financial need or GPA requirement.

Amount: $3,500

Niche: History Buff

If you’re a U.S. history buff at a Kansas High School, the “ Yes for Liberty” Constitution Bee Scholarship is worth a look. Scholarship applicants will go through a four-part round of questions about the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, Founding Documents, and Federalist Papers. Applicants will run through true and false questions, and work through a series of multiple-choice questions. The final three scholarship awards will be determined by an oral presentation.

Amount: $5,000 – $10,000

Niche: Vegetarianism

Vegetarians and supporters alike – this group wants to know how you promote vegetarianism in your high school or community. An anonymous donor sponsors the Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship contest with two different award amounts: two $5,000 prizes and one $10,000 prize.

Amount: $10,000, plus $1,000 for your school

Niche: Greeting card creator

Show off your design skills by creating your own greeting card and submitting it to win the Create-a-Greeting-Card Scholarship . Students are encouraged to include original art to apply to this scholarship contest. Ages 14 and up may enter, from high school to college students.

Amount: First solo in flight training with instructor

Niche: Musicians wanting to fly

This very specific scholarship program is geared toward musicians who want to learn how to fly. Through the Flying Musicians Association Solo Program high school juniors and seniors in good standing must be nominated by their music director. FMA will then sponsor the student’s first solo in flight training with a participating flight school, or with a flight instructor who is FAA-certified.

Niche: Interest in Alpine culture

Students interested in studying Alpine culture in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and surrounding areas, are encouraged to apply for the Alpine Scholarship . Scholarship provider Minnesota Krampus, a nonprofit organization, promotes cultural traditions of St. Nikolaus and his Krampus. College students from any major may apply as long as their major supports the study of topics that involve the Alps and its people, including language, history, politics, music, and folklore.

Amount: $1500

Niche: Engineering aficionados

Across the globe, BMW is synonymous with luxury, technology, and innovation. To foster the next generation of trailblazers, BMW encourages interested high school students to apply for the BMW/SAE Engineering Scholarship . The ideal awardee will demonstrate an extracurricular interest in the fields of engineering, technology, or math and an intention to pursue a degree in one of those subjects. 

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10 Weird Scholarships You Might Not Know About

Staff Writers

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Updated June 14, 2023 · 2 Min Read

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10 Scholarships You’ve Never Heard Of

[If you’re looking for some quick ways to get more FAFSA money by appeal, click here . If you’re looking for a guide to cutting your FAFSA fill-out time in half, click here .]

1. The Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship

2. the david letterman scholarship, 3. the national potato council scholarship, 4. the kor memorial scholarship, 5. annual create-a-greeting-card $10,000 scholarship contest, 6. jif most creative sandwich contest, 7. the wear duck tape to prom scholarship, 8. c.a.t.s. tall club scholarship program, 9. nordstrom scholarship program, 10. the vegetarian resource group scholarships, online college resources.

Helping you prepare and gain the most out of your educational experience.

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
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• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
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If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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Top 35 Weird Scholarships in November 2023

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Searching for scholarships can be a long and complicated process, and it’s usually a good idea to take a few different approaches to your search. You can find scholarships based on your demographics, your academic interests, your extracurriculars… or you can apply to some scholarships that are just plain weird. Our team has custom-selected the top weird scholarships out there to help spice up your scholarship application process. Let’s get into the scholarships!

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Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Offered by The Gallery Collection

Are you over 14 years of age, enrolled in high school or college, and enjoy making original artwork? If so, the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest may…

Are you over 14 years of age, enrolled in high school or college, and enjoy making original artwork? If so, the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest may be the perfect opportunity for you! Each year, the contest awards $10,000 to the applicant who submits the best holiday, greeting, or all-around holiday card. While the top ten finalists will be decided by a public vote, the final winner will be decided by a panel of judges. The contest is offered by The Gallery Collection, the “leading business-to-business online and mail order publisher of premium quality personalized Christmas, Holiday, and Everyday greeting cards in the United States.” If you’re a student aged 14 or older who wants to put their card-making skills to the test, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Academic Interest: Visual & Performing Arts, Graphic Design/Printing

Check your eligibility through the Scholarships360 app.

Ocean Awareness Art Contest

Offered by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

Are you an 11 - 18 year old who has a passion for saving the environment and/or the ocean? Additionally, would you like to make…

Are you an 11 - 18 year old who has a passion for saving the environment and/or the ocean? Additionally, would you like to make a statement about the impact of climate change through writing, artwork, or even dance? You might consider applying for the Ocean Awareness Art Contest! Dedicated to encouraging the next generation to get involved in ocean conservation (and environmentalism as a whole), the contest asks its applicants to create a piece of artwork that reflects an impact/aspect of the current environmental crisis and its effect on the ocean. Each year has a specific theme to focus on, with this year being climate change. If you would like to make a statement about climate change’s impact on the ocean through art, we encourage you to apply!

Grade Level: High School Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA, Other

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Academic Interest: Environmental Science, Literature/English/Writing, Visual & Performing Arts, Film/Video Production, Photography/Photojournalism

Minecraft Scholarship

Offered by Apex Hosting

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the…

Are you a high school or college student with a love for Minecraft? If so, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you: the Minecraft Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship offers $2,000 to one applicant who best writes about how Minecraft can positively influence one’s education and career development. The scholarship is offered by Apex Hosting, a Minecraft server provider dedicated to supporting both new and experienced server administrators. If you’re a high schooler or college student with a love for Minecraft, it’s time to put your passion to good use and apply to the Minecraft Scholarship!

Grade Level: High School & College Students

Citizenship: US Citizens

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Academic Interest: Computer Science

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Offered by Scholarships360

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education.

Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.…

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Grade Level: HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship

Offered by UNIMA-USA

Are you a passionate American puppeteer with some professional puppeteering experience, a university degree in the field, or a serious commitment to the art form?…

Are you a passionate American puppeteer with some professional puppeteering experience, a university degree in the field, or a serious commitment to the art form? Further, do you dream of expanding your horizons and studying puppetry outside the U.S.? If so, consider applying for the UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,500 to help passionate American puppeteers pursue classes and training while abroad. The scholarship is provided by UNIMA-USA, an organization with a mission to “promote international understanding and friendship through the art of puppetry.”  If you could use a hand in paying off some of your international puppetry training costs, we encourage you to apply to the UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship!

Grade Level: Graduate Students

Academic Interest: Visual & Performing Arts

Rubincam Youth Award

Offered by National Genealogical Society

Are you interested in your personal family history and genealogy? If so, consider applying for the Rubincam Youth Award! The Rubincam Youth Award is open…

Are you interested in your personal family history and genealogy? If so, consider applying for the Rubincam Youth Award! The Rubincam Youth Award is open to middle and high school students who submit an appropriately prepared genealogy. The scholarship is offered by the National Genealogical Society, a genealogical interest group founded in 1903 in Washington, D.C. They were the first national genealogical organization and have long paved the way in the field of genealogy. The Rubincam Youth Award honors Milton Rubincam, a passionate genealogist with many years of service contributing to the National Genealogical Society and the field of genealogy. To honor his legacy, this award aims to encourage and recognize our youth as the next generation of family historians. Each year, the scholarship awards a $500 cash prize to one (1) high school student and a $250 cash prize to one (1) middle school student. It also includes a plaque and a one-year NGS membership. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, Other

Academic Interest: History

Bird Dog Foundation Annual Youth Art Contest

Offered by The National Bird Dog Foundation

Are you a K-12, art and nature-loving student who lives within a 75-mile radius of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee? If…

Are you a K-12, art and nature-loving student who lives within a 75-mile radius of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the Bird Dog Foundation Annual Youth Art Contest! Each year, the scholarship awards up to $2,000 to applicants who submit the best art depicting wildlife and related themes such as nature conservation. The contest is hosted by The National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee, which is “dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of bird dog, field trial, and hunting traditions.” If you live within a 75-mile radius of Grand Junction, Tennessee, and want to put your artistic talents to good use, we encourage you to apply!

State: Tennessee

FMA Solo Program

Offered by Flying Musicians Association, Inc.

Are you a high school music student interested in learning how to fly? If so, consider applying for the FMA Solo Program! The program is…

Are you a high school music student interested in learning how to fly? If so, consider applying for the FMA Solo Program! The program is open to high school juniors and seniors who have a passion for music, and aviation, and are interested in participating in a Flight Training program. The program is offered by the Flying Musicians Association (FMA), a nonprofit organization for pilots who are also musicians of any sort. FMA believes that musicians and pilots share a similar skill set and thus intends to further interest in both through the program. Thus, since 2014, the program has offered flight training, training materials, a sponsored student membership in FMA, and other benefits to winning applicants. If you are passionate about both music and aviation, we encourage you to apply!

Grade Level: High School Juniors & Seniors

Academic Interest: Aviation/Aerospace, Music

The Vegan Society Grants

Offered by The Vegan Society

Are you a vegan who wants to encourage veganism to non-vegans? If so, consider applying for The Vegan Society Grants! The Vegan Society Grants are…

Are you a vegan who wants to encourage veganism to non-vegans? If so, consider applying for The Vegan Society Grants! The Vegan Society Grants are open to vegan individuals and grassroots organizations that support projects that will encourage non-vegans to go vegan and stay vegan and who can raise public awareness of veganism in a positive way. The grants are funded by The Vegan Society, a registered educational charity that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism. On a quarterly basis (every three months), the grant awards $1,000 to a vegan or a non-profit organization or an individual who submits the best proposed veganism-related projects. If you’re passionate about veganism and are looking for some help to fund your project to promote veganism, we encourage you to apply!

Academic Interest: Environmental Science

Shade Sail Design Challenge Scholarship

Offered by TenShon

Are you a college student interested in creating a design for a unique shade sail? If so, consider applying for the Shade Sail Design Challenge…

Are you a college student interested in creating a design for a unique shade sail? If so, consider applying for the Shade Sail Design Challenge Scholarship! The contest is open to currently enrolled college students interested in using architecture, design, and engineering to create a unique shade sail structure. The program is offered by TenShon, an Arizona-based shade sail and shade canopy manufacturing company that specializes in designing, engineering, and fabricating shade sails. Their contest looks to expand students’ minds and reward them for their designs. Thus, every semester, a lucky winner receives $1,500.00 to go towards their educational expenses. If you want to put your design and creativity skills to the test, we encourage you to apply! The deadlines are on July 15th and December 15th of every year.

Grade Level: College Students

Academic Interest: Architecture, Engineering

Supermoney’s Financial Literacy Scholarship

Offered by Supermoney

Are you a high school senior or post-secondary student who wants to help Americans improve their financial wellness and literacy with useful resources? If so,…

Are you a high school senior or post-secondary student who wants to help Americans improve their financial wellness and literacy with useful resources? If so, consider applying for Supermoney’s Financial Literacy Scholarship! Supermoney’s Financial Literacy Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current postsecondary students who design a finance calculator to help people make smarter financial decisions. The scholarship is offered by Supermoney, an online financial comparison platform that helps consumers evaluate and compare financial services. Through this, their ultimate goal is to help Americans achieve their financial goals. Thus, on a rolling basis, their scholarship grants $500 awards to students to help pay their educational expenses. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

Grade Level: High School Seniors, College & Graduate Students

Academic Interest: Computer Science, Finance

Mycological Society of America Scholarships

Offered by Mycological Society of America

Are you a post-secondary student pursuing a career in mycology, or even an established mycologist? Either way, if you’ve done impressive research in or somehow…

Are you a post-secondary student pursuing a career in mycology, or even an established mycologist? Either way, if you’ve done impressive research in or somehow advanced the field of mycology, you may be eligible for some of the many Mycological Society of America Scholarships! There are a variety of scholarships available, offering between $500 and $10,000 to winning applicants. The scholarships are offered by the Mycological Society of America, the “international professional organization that is home to mycologists based in the United States and Canada.” To find out more about each scholarship’s specific requirements, we recommend checking out their individual profiles on the MSA (Mycological Society of America) website. If you do fit the criteria for any of the scholarships, we encourage you to apply!

Grade Level: College & Graduate Students

ABFSE Scholarship for Funeral Service Education

Offered by American Board of Funeral Service Education

Are you pursuing education in funeral service or mortuary science programs? You might want to consider applying for the American Board of Funeral Service Education…

Are you pursuing education in funeral service or mortuary science programs? You might want to consider applying for the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) Scholarship! This scholarship is awarded annually to students who are studying funeral service or mortuary sciences through an accredited college, university, or educational program. In order to apply for this scholarship, you should also have at least one academic semester of study under your belt. Other than that, you’ll just need to complete the online scholarship application form and submit all other necessary documents. The scholarship is funded directly through the American Board of Funeral Service Education, America’s leader in mortuary science education and access. Every year, several students are awarded scholarships worth between $1,500 and $2,500 to help pay for their studies. If you’re a student in the US who is pursuing funeral service or mortuary sciences through an accredited program, then we encourage you to apply!

Academic Interest: Funeral Services/Mortuary Science

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Offered by Unigo

Are you a big fan of The Walking Dead, or maybe Z Nation? Ever thought about what you would do in the case of a…

Are you a big fan of The Walking Dead, or maybe Z Nation? Ever thought about what you would do in the case of a zombie apocalypse? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship! Each year, this scholarship awards $2,000 to the applicant who, in 250 words or less, best describes their escape plan if there were a zombie outbreak at their school. The scholarship is offered by Unigo in hopes of helping some creative, zombie-obsessed students pay off some of their postsecondary education. If you’ve been inspired by the zombie shows and movies from the past few decades and have come up with a plan of your own, we encourage you to apply to the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship! It’s due exactly when you’d expect: on Halloween.

Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Offered by Digital Responsibility

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student that understands the danger of texting and driving? Write a compelling, 140-character statement about why you…

Are you a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student that understands the danger of texting and driving? Write a compelling, 140-character statement about why you pledge not to text and drive and you may be selected as a finalist for the $1,000 “Don't Text and Drive” Scholarship! Just bear in mind that finalists will have to write an additional 500-1,000 word essay in order to be considered for the award. If you’re passionate about responsible driving and feel that you can put those feelings into compelling words, we encourage you to apply for Digital Responsibility’s “Don't Text and Drive” Scholarship! 

Other Category: Adults, Nontraditional

Rodeo Ticket Student Scholarship

Offered by Rodeo Ticket

Are you a post-secondary student in the U.S. who has attended a rodeo before? If so, you might consider applying for the Rodeo Ticket Student…

Are you a post-secondary student in the U.S. who has attended a rodeo before? If so, you might consider applying for the Rodeo Ticket Student Scholarship! Dedicated to supporting rodeo enthusiasts of all backgrounds, the scholarship awards $500 to one passionate applicant each year. To apply, you must submit a 750-1,500 word essay in which you explain what inspired you to attend a rodeo, and what you learned through the experience. Winners will also have their photos posted on Rodeo Ticket’s social media and website. If you’re a rodeo-goer who wants to detail your experience(s) through writing, we encourage you to apply!    The scholarship cycle runs from January 1 to August 15th of each year.

The Cover Guy Annual Scholarship

Offered by The Cover Guy

Will you be enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian postsecondary university for the upcoming school year? More importantly, do you have a love (or liking…

Will you be enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian postsecondary university for the upcoming school year? More importantly, do you have a love (or liking for) hot tubs? If so, consider applying for The Cover Guy Annual Scholarship! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to the applicant who submits the best original article relating to hot tubs. The essays may cover a variety of topics, including (but not limited to) hot tubs, backyard experiences, and how hot tubs improve life. The scholarship is offered by The Cover Guy, an established quality supplier of hot tub covers in North America. If you want to put your writing (and love for hot tubs) to the test, we encourage you to apply for The Cover Guy Annual Scholarship!

How to win weird scholarships

Now that you’ve got a list of some reliable weird scholarships, it’s time to get to work on your applications. There are many ways to ensure that your application stands out from the pack. One of the best ways to do this is to write a stellar essay. We can help you through that process, starting with the very beginning of the essay , which is oftentimes the hardest part for students! We can also help you adjust your writing to 250 and 500 word limits. Here are a few more materials to help you through your applications:

• How to write an essay about yourself
• How to write a “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” essay
• “Show, Don’t Tell” essay primer
• Ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships
• How to win local scholarships

Frequently asked questions about weird scholarships

How should i change my application approach when i apply for weird scholarships.

Weird scholarships are your opportunity to be your truest self! In the application, embrace who you are. This can be the perfect opportunity to write a quirkier than usual essay or be extra creative with a potential project. Weird scholarships are usually really niche, so the scholarship selection committee will appreciate authenticity.

How do I tell if a weird scholarship is a scam?

In your scholarship search, you may come across some opportunities that seem a bit shady. In these situations, there may be something else “weird” going on. Take a look at these tips for identifying common  scholarship scams . This will help you stay safe in your scholarship search.

Where else can I look for scholarship funding?

Weird scholarships are a great way to finance your education, but they’re not the only one. Make sure to expand your scholarship search into other categories. Our  scholarships search tool  is a great opportunity to find scholarships that range across all of your interests and demographic information. All of our opportunities are vetted and auto-update as they close and new ones open.

How can I supplement weird scholarships with other financial aid?

As great as scholarships are, they are not the only source of college funding. Remember to take advantage of need-based financial aid, especially federal opportunities. Make sure that you  fill out the FAFSA  to test your eligibility for institutional aid and federal grants such as the  Pell Grant .

Other scholarship lists to explore

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for women
• Easy scholarships to apply for
• Top no essay scholarships
• Top scholarships for college students

See how many scholarships you’re eligible for!

Take our brief 5 question quiz to find out!

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63 Weird Scholarships for College That Will Save You Tons in 2023

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In need of some random scholarships? Here are some unique and weird scholarships for college.

Looking for scholarships for college students 2023!?

If you’re on the hunt for college funds, there are thousands of college scholarships available based on the state you live in , academics , athletics , college major , and other general criteria. BUT , did you know that there are also a bunch of  unusual and weird scholarships out there?

We’ve rounded up some of the weirdest (and unique) college scholarships that make applying for money a LOT more fun (listed in order by the application deadline ). Plus, many of them require minimal or NO writing!

Here are over 63 weird scholarships you can apply for in 2023:

1. Jeannette Rankin Fund Scholarship

• Deadline : February 17th, 2023
• Award: Varies
• Who Can Apply? Low-income women (income for one that makes under $23,500) 35 and older looking to continue their education.
• Details & How to Apply: Jeannette Rankin Fund Scholarship

Inspired by the first female congresswoman, the Jeannette Rankin Fund provides an unrestricted amount of grants to women ages 35 and above who have a low income and want to better their lives by attending university.

2. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

• Deadline : February 20th, 2023
• Award: One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000
• Who Can Apply? Graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities
• Details & How to Apply: Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

The Vegetarian Resource Group awards $20,000 annually to high school vegetarians or vegans. Applicants will be judged on compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle.

3. Courage to Grow Scholarship

• Deadline: February 28th, 2023 (end of every month)
• Award: $500
• Who Can Apply? All U.S. high school and college students with a 2.5 GPA
• Details & How to Apply: Courage to Grow Scholarship

In 250 words or less, tell Courage to Grow why you deserve the scholarship. You’ll also need to fill out the application, and you can continuously apply every month.

4. “No Essay” College Scholarship

• Deadline : February 28th, 2023 (a new winner is selected monthly)
• Award: $2,000 (one winner per month )
• Who Can Apply? All high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year
• Details & How to Apply: No Essay Scholarship

Don’t like to write? The $2,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is an easy scholarship as there is NO essay required! The scholarship can cover tuition, housing, books, or any education-related expenses. The monthly winner will be determined by random drawing and then contacted directly.

5. Sweet and Simple Scholarship

• Deadline: February 28th, 2023
• Award: $1,500
• Who Can Apply? Ages 14 and up
• Details & How to Apply: Sweet and Simple Scholarship

This may not be a weird scholarship, but it’s definitely short and sweet. All you have to do is write 250 words about a meaningful gift you received – that’s it!

6. Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

• Deadline: Applications are now open!
• Award: $500 (one winner every two months)
• Who Can Apply? All high school and college students
• Details & How to Apply: Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

Love applying for scholarships? Debt.com wants to award students who have shown persistence and courage in applying for ALL the free college money that is out there. All you have to do is apply for TONS of scholarships. Don’t worry. You don’t have to win them! You then send them copies of the submission receipts, along with a letter saying a bit about yourself. Include your plans in life and how you felt submitting all those applications. New winners are selected every two months.

It may not be a weird scholarship, but, hey, it’s persistent! Debt.com is purposefully vague with its rules to give students who seek the most scholarships the best chance of winning, but if you have questions, you can contact them and ask away .

7. Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) Sony Pictures Scholarship

• Deadline: Information coming in late February 2023.
• Award: $4,000
• Who Can Apply? Students pursuing a career in moving image archiving
• Details & How to Apply: AMIA Sony Pictures Scholarship

In 1,000 words, explain your education, work experience, career goals, and interest in archiving moving images for a chance to win the grand prize.

8. American Board of Funeral Service Education Scholarship

• Deadline: March 1st or September 1st (annually)
• Award: $1,500-$2,500 each (5+ winners every period – will vary on the number of applicants)
• Who Can Apply? Undergraduate and Post Graduate students
• Details & How to Apply: High School Senior College Scholarship

Dying to get into the funeral business? In hopes of garnering applicants into the field of funeral and mortuary sciences, the American Board of Funeral Service Education has put together a scholarship program for undergraduate and postgraduate students . Applicants must have completed at least one full semester of coursework focusing on funeral and mortuary sciences to be eligible.

9. Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship

• Deadline: March 1st, 2023
• Award: Up to $5,000
• Who Can Apply? College-bound high school seniors who have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease
• Details & How to Apply: Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship

If you have been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation has an amazing scholarship opportunity. It goes from various tenth-place winners getting $500 to one grand prize of $5,000. The foundation awards tons of entries, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

10. Tall Clubs International Scholarship

• Award: $1,000
• Who Can Apply? Incoming freshmen who are at least 5’10 (female) and 6’2 (male)
• Details & How to Apply: Tall Clubs International Scholarship

You can actually get a scholarship for being tall! Note that you have to request an application between the dates listed on the website, and further instructions will be supplied there.

11. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

• Deadline: March 2nd, 2023
• Award: $10,000 plus a $1,000 prize for your school (one winner)
• Who Can Apply? Must be 14 years or older at the time of entry and be enrolled in High School, College, University, or home school
• Details & How to Apply: Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Have a knack for drawing? The Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship is designed to give high school and collegiate-level students the opportunity to design an original greeting card. All artwork must be original. It can include photography and graphic design. Non-winning greeting cards may still be selected for publishing. In this case, the artist will be compensated.

12. Doodle for Google Scholarship

• Deadline: March 7th, 2023
• Award: $5,000 for finalists, $30,000 for grand prize
• Who Can Apply? All students K-12 (including homeschool)
• Details & How to Apply: Doodle for Google

Every year, Google chooses a theme and students are encouraged to draw a logo based on the entry. If you score the main prize, you’ll also get a $50,000 technology package for your school or a non-profit of the winner’s choice.

13. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship

• Deadline: March 15th, 2023
• Award: $2,500 to $10,000
• Who Can Apply? Undergrads studying the food industry
• Details & How to Apply: National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship

This no-essay scholarship has been made possible with donors including Burger King and other restaurants. If you’re looking for a restaurant-related degree, make sure you set your timers for March 15th!

14. Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize

• Deadline: March 31st, 2023
• Who Can Apply? Undergrad and grad History majors studying Romani studies
• Details & How to Apply: Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize

Going Merry actually has a scholarship dedicated to the study of Gypsies and Travelers in Romani culture. You must write a paper between 30 and 40 double-spaced pages about Romani studies.

15. Duck Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship

• Deadline:  Be on the lookout in Spring 2023.
• Awards: $10,000 for Best Dress (one winner) + $10,000 for Best Tux (one winner), plus 8 Tux and Dress runner-up prizes that include $500 cash scholarships and Duck Brand prize packs ($100 value each).
• Who Can Apply? Students 14 years of age or older who attend a high school or home school association during the 2022 – 2023 calendar year.
• Details & How to Apply: Duck Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship

When it comes to out-of-the-box, weird scholarships, this one takes the cake! To be eligible for this scholarship, students just need to be enrolled in high school or a home association high school and create prom attire made entirely of duck tape!

Since not every student can go to prom, you don’t have to necessarily wear your creation to prom to participate. Creations will be judged on workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories, and use of Duck Brand Duck tape.

16. Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

• Deadline: March 31st, June 30thm September 30th, and December 31st (quarterly)
• Details & How to Apply: Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

Another no-essay, easy scholarship! All you have to do is fill out the application and hit submit. Plus, you can re-enter every quarter!

17. Superpower Scholarship

• Award: $2,500
• Details & How to Apply: Superpower Scholarship

Channel your inner hero and let the Superhero Scholarship know details about which superpower you’d want to have and how you would use your powers!

18. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

• Deadline: April 1st, 2023
• Award: $15,000 (one winner every two months)
• Who Can Apply? Current college students with financial need
• Details & How to Apply: Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

If you have a passion for activism and peace, the Davis-Putter Scholarship may be for you. You have to write a personal statement of 1,000 words about something you’re passionate about getting justice for.

19. Asparagus Club Scholarship

• Deadline: April 15th, 2023
• Award: $2,000 (Up to five scholarships awarded annually, up to four semesters)
• Who Can Apply? Full-time enrolled rising college freshman through postgraduate studies with a major in Business, Food Management, IT, or other with the intent to pursue a career in the independent grocery industry
• Details & How to Apply: Asparagus Club Scholarship

Want to pursue an education in the grocery industry? Founded in 1909, the name  Asparagus Club was selected for the group to symbolize the concept that one single tip of asparagus standing alone would fall. When tied together in a bunch, they could stand upright (we love a weird scholarship metaphor)!

Asparagus Club scholarships are awarded for up to four semesters, provided that the recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements. Scholarship winners will be notified in August.

20. National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships

• Award: $1,000 – $15,000
• Who Can Apply? Black nursing students who are part of the NBNA
• Details & How to Apply: NBNA Scholarships

When you become a member of the NBNA, you have access to over 20 scholarships!

21. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

• Deadline: April 27th, 2023 and November 6th, 2023
• Award: Over 230 prizes, totaling more than $70,000
• Who Can Apply? 8th-12th Grade Students and College Undergraduate & Graduate Students
• Details & How to Apply: Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

Like reading thought-provoking books? Or just like to argue for and justify your point of view? There are several Ayn Rand Institute essay contests available that would be write for you! ✏️

12th Graders, College Undergraduates, and Graduate Students are eligible to enter the Atlas Shrugged writing contest (deadline November 6th). The first-place winner will be awarded $10,000 (one winner), 2nd place winners will each get $2,500 (three winners), the 3rd place winners will get $500 (five winners), finalists will get $100 (25 people), and the remaining semi-finalists will each get $25 (50 winners).

The Anthem writing contest is open for 8th – 12th-grade students (deadline April 27th). The first-place winner will get $2,000 (one winner), 2nd place winners will get $250 (three winners), 3rd place winners will get $100 (five winners), and the remaining finalists will each get $25 (50 winners).

11th and 12th Graders can enter The Fountainhead writing contest (deadline April 27th). The first-place winner will get $5,000 (one winner), 2nd place winners will each get $1,250 (three winners), the 3rd place winners will get $250 (five winners), finalists will get $100 (25 people), and the remaining semi-finalists will each get $25 (50 winners).

22. All About Education Scholarship

• Deadline: April 30th, 2023
• Award: $3,000
• Details & How to Apply: All About Education Scholarship

For this scholarship, all you have to do is write how $3,000 would ease the stress of college tuition in 250 words or less.

23. Crossword Hobbyist Scholarship

• Deadline: May 1st, 2023
• Award: $1,000 (one winner)
• Who Can Apply? Current or incoming undergraduate students
• Details & How to Apply: Crossword Hobbyist Scholarship

Do you enjoy puzzles? Why don’t you try creating your own? The Crossword Hobbyist will reward one lucky winner for creating and submitting one 15×15 newspaper-style crossword puzzle on MyCrosswordMaker.com . With so many crossword puzzles in existence, you can easily find some inspiration!

24. Fifth Month Scholarship

• Deadline: May 31st, 2023
• Details & How to Apply: Fifth Month Scholarship

During the fifth month of the year, aka May, you can write in 250 words why the number 5 is so important. This may be a pretty weird scholarship, but it’ll get you $1,500 if your silly (or serious) entry is chosen!

25. Allied Health Scholarships

• Deadline : June 1st, 2023 for the Fall 2023 semester & November 1st, 2023 for the Spring 2024 semester
• Award: $1,000 for each semester entry
• Who Can Apply? Ages 18 and up pursuing a degree in the allied health industry with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Details & How to Apply: Allied Health Scholarships

Aspiring allied health professionals, aka those who study optometry, dentistry, nursing, medicine, clinical psychology, and pharmacy, can apply. Simply write an essay of 500-1,000 words regarding why you want to join the allied health industry.

26. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

• Deadline: June 13th, 2023
• Award: Up to $1,500
• Who Can Apply? Worldwide students ages 11 through 18
• Details & How to Apply: Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

For this impactful, not-so-weird scholarship, you’ll be following the prompt, “The Funny Thing About Climate Change”. You can use any means of the arts to complete this prompt, including art, music, creative writing, poetry, dance, multimedia, and film.

27. GoFoodservice Scholarship

• Deadline: June 15th, 2023
• Who Can Apply? High school or current college students who study Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management
• Details & How to Apply: GoFoodservice Scholarship

All you have to do is write 500 words about why you became interested in seeking a Culinary or Hospitality career.

28. Boom & Bucket’s Scholarship

• Who Can Apply? Students pursuing a heavy machinery-themed program who are already enrolled in school or plan to in the next 12 months.
• Details & How to Apply: Boom & Bucket’s Scholarship

To enter this scholarship, students who study, or plan to study, heavy machinery-themed program have the choice of either writing a 500-word essay or filming a 2-minute video about who they are and what makes them intrigued about their field of study.

29. SmarterCollege Scholarship

• Deadline:  June 30th, 2023
• Who Can Apply? High school seniors 17+, college students, and college graduates paying back loans.
• Details & How to Apply: SmarterCollege Scholarship

This may be the easiest scholarship to apply for. There’s not even an essay!

30. BMTX Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship

• Deadline : July 14th, 2023
• Who Can Apply? Any US citizen enrolled or has been accepted into an accredited university with a 3.0+ GPA.
• Details & How to Apply: BMTX Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship

It’s never too late to complete your education, and this scholarship is perfect for anyone looking to attend college above high school age. On top of the essay and references, you’ll need to submit a creative video.

If you’ve already grasped the role finances play in your life, you’re one step ahead of applying for this scholarship. You’ll need to fill out the electronic application and record a 30-60-second video explaining how important financial empowerment is to your future. You’ll also need to provide an unofficial transcript and proof of enrollment/acceptance. Winners are announced in August.

31. Apex Hosting Minecraft Scholarship

• Deadline: July 31, 2023
• Award: $2,000 (one winner)
• Who Can Apply? College and high school students who are US citizens with a 3.0 or higher GPA
• Details & How to Apply: Apex Hosting Minecraft Scholarship

Minecraft fans can actually win a scholarship for their love of the extremely popular video game! All you have to do is write an essay that’s at least 500 words detailing how Minecraft has a positive influence on education and career development.

32. Flavor of the Month Scholarship

• Deadline : July 31st, 2023
• Details & How to Apply: Flavor of the Month

Although this is kind of a weird scholarship, we couldn’t be happier it exists. All you have to do is answer the question, “Which ice cream flavor are you and why?”

33. Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship

• Deadline: August 15th, 2023
• Who Can Apply? Aviation students who blog on a weekly basis about school, flight training, and interest in flights
• Details & How to Apply: Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship

Future pilots, you have to apply for this Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship! You’ll need to blog your progress weekly, which is actually a great way to document your school experience!

34. Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) Scholarship

• Deadline: August 31st, 2023
• Who Can Apply? Undergraduate and Graduate students under 25 who have hemiplegia or hemiparesis
• Details & How to Apply: Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) Scholarship

Those who have had a stroke can apply for this incredible scholarship. You must submit a physician’s statement and an essay about your goals for the future.

35. Clubs of America Scholarship

• Who Can Apply? Undergrads with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Details & How to Apply: Clubs of America Scholarship

Write about your career aspirations in at least 600 words. Although it’s optional, you can also submit a YouTube video!

36. AFSA 2nd Chance College Scholarship

• Award: $1,000 each (5 winners)
• Who Can Apply? High School Seniors who are citizens or aliens legally residing in the USA
• Details & How to Apply: AFSA High School Senior College Scholarship

Fill out some basic information and answer a short, eight-question multiple-choice quiz about fire sprinkler safety. Winner selection is NOT based on financial need, GPA, or demographic criteria. Scholarship winners are randomly selected by a computer-generated drawing from among valid entries received.

37. Shout It Out Scholarship

• Deadline: September 30th, 2023
• Details & How to Apply: Shout it Out Scholarship

In 250 words or less, what’s one thing you feel like shouting to the world? If you didn’t think you could get college funds by doing something as simple as this, we’re glad to have found the right awesome yet weird scholarship for you!

38. Digital Responsibility Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

• Who Can Apply? All U.S. high school and college students
• Details & How to Apply: Digital Responsibility Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Take the pledge to never text and drive and explain why in 140 characters. If selected, you’ll have to write an essay, and you may be selected for the scholarship.

39. Association For Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Steel Premier Intern Scholarship

• Deadline : October 2nd, 2023
• Award: $7,500 and a paid internship
• Who Can Apply? Udergrad and grad students in North America majoring in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, data science, safety or industrial hygiene with at least a 2.5 GPA
• Details & How to Apply: AIST Foundation Steel Scholarship

If you have a strong interest in the iron and steel industry, AIST is offering both a scholarship and a paid internship! This way, you’ll bulk up your resume while saving money for college.

40. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

• Deadline : October 31st, 2023
• Award: $2,000
• Details & How to Apply: Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Believe it or not, binging those zombie movies and shows is about to pay off! In 250 words or less, you have to answer the prompt of what you would do if your campus, including all your friends and the staff, have been taken over by a zombie apocalypse and what you would do to survive.

41. Francis Ouimet Scholarship

• Deadline: December 1st, 2023
• Award: $1,500 – $15,000
• Who Can Apply? Senior high school or college students who have worked in Massachusetts golf courses for 2+ years
• Details & How to Apply: Francis Ouimet Scholarship

If you’ve worked 2+ years in a Massachusetts golf course, you’re eligible for this Francis Ouimet Scholarship. Applications are now open for the 2023 – 2024 school year, and the amount you’re rewarded varies.

42. “I Have a Dream” Scholarship

• Deadline : January 31st, 2024
• Details & How to Apply: I Have a Dream Scholarship

Whether you have a dream goal or a strange dream last week, you can be rewarded for that! The I Have a Dream Scholarship will reward you for any dream you have. In 250 words or less, just answer the prompt, “We want to know… what do you dream about? Whether it’s some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us for a chance to win $1,500 for college.”

43. Alice W. Rooke Scholarship

• Deadline: Varies, but email [email protected] for specific information.
• Award: One-time $5,000
• Who Can Apply? Pre-med graduates studying to become a doctor
• Details & How to Apply: Alice W. Rooke Scholarship

This scholarship is for those who have already graduated as pre-med students and are attending or have been accepted to an accredited medical or osteopathic school, college, or university. DAR.org also has a variety of other scholarships for those in the medical field to check out.

44. Imagine America Foundation Scholarship for Adults

• Deadline: Varies, but be on the lookout soon.
• Who Can Apply? Aspiring students 19 and older
• Details & How to Apply: Imagine America Foundation Scholarship

If you put college on hold or couldn’t immediately attend, this scholarship is here to help. Imagine America also provides scholarships for high school students, military members, and those interested in trade school.

45. ABPA Harrington-Arthur Scholarship Essay Competition

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout in spring 2023.
• Who Can Apply? Students ages 13 to 19
• Details & How to Apply: ABPA Harrington-Arthur Scholarship Essay Competition

Answer a prompt in 700-1,200 words regarding the importance of safe drinking water. Note that the prompt may vary slightly by next year.

46. CME Beef Industry Scholarship

• Deadline: Closed for now, but likely opens October 1st.
• Award: 10 scholarships of $1,500 each
• Who Can Apply? Undergraduates pursuing a career in the beef industry (can study education, communications, production, research, or any other area involved with the beef industry)
• Details & How to Apply: CME Beef Industry Scholarship

If you’re looking to join the beef industry, the CME Beef Industry is looking to help you achieve your education. You’ll need to write an essay, a letter of intent, and two letters of recommendation.

47. Worthy Women’s Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout in late February – early March.
• Award: $1,000 – $2,500
• Who Can Apply? Women students ages 30 and older
• Details & How to Apply: Worthy Women’s Scholarship

With this scholarship, you’ll choose one of three prompts about a dream, guidance, or culture and write about it in 300 – 500 words.

48. The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship

• Deadline : Varies, but should open later this winter.
• Award: up to $10,000
• Who Can Apply? Adult students looking to attend college who are past high school age
• Details & How to Apply: The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship

It’s never too late to complete your education, and this scholarship is perfect for anyone looking to attend college above high school age. On top of the essay and references, you’ll need to have a clearly defined career goal and objective, which isn’t too hard if you’re eager about what you’re studying! You’ll need to answer two essay questions with two references.

49. CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students

• Deadline : CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Check back in Spring 2023.
• Award: $8,000
• Who Can Apply? US residents who are minorities (Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islanders) enrolled in a pharmacy program with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Details & How to Apply: CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students

The CVS Health Minority Scholarship awards various students of color $8,000 to complete their pharmacy studies. Make sure you qualify with the requirements and submit any necessary transcripts and recommendation letters.

50. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

• Deadline : CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Try again in May 2023.
• Award: $5,000 – $10,000
• Who Can Apply? Students pursuing a healthcare-related career
• Details & How to Apply: Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

For over 30 years, the Tylenol Future Care Scholarship has been helping future healthcare workers jump-start their careers. Ten students will be chosen for $10K and 25 will be selected for $5K.

51. National Potato Council Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Check back in June 2023.
• Award: $10,000 (one winner)
• Who Can Apply? Graduate students conducting research for the benefit of the potato industry
• Details & How to Apply: National Potato Council Scholarship

Interested in conducting research on potatoes? The National Potato Council provides annual funding to graduate research students who exhibit both leadership qualities and overall academic prowess.

The winner is selected based on a number of criteria, including academic achievement, leadership abilities, potato-related areas of graduate study, and more. Awards are typically dispersed in August of each year and are applicable to both fall and spring semesters.

This also made Scholarships.com ‘s roundup of the weirdest scholarships!

52. James Allen Cox Foundation Student Photojournalists Scholarship

• Deadline : CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout in July.
• Who Can Apply? College and graduate students
• Details & How to Apply: James Allen Cox Foundation Student Photojournalists Scholarship

If you’re studying photojournalism, this scholarship is for you. One graduate student will be awarded the scholarship money for video work, and four undergraduate college students will be awarded scholarship money for video work and one for still photography.

If high school students want to put their photography to the test, five high school students will be given a Digital SLR Camera for a still photography entry. Note that high school students will not get any monetary rewards.

53. Make Me Laugh Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout in the summer.
• Details & How to Apply: Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Not a weird scholarship but a hysterical one! Make these judges laugh in 250 words with a story that can be real or completely made up!

54. Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout in July.
• Award: Five amounts of $10,000
• Who Can Apply?  Graduate Students
• Details & How to Apply: Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship

Artists who want to continue studying craft practice and research should apply for the Craft Research Fund Artist Fellowship. It costs $15 to apply, and it has made a huge difference in many artists’ careers!

55. Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout in August.
• Who Can Apply? Graduate students studying crystallography-related fields during 2023
• Details & How to Apply: Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship

Calling all aspiring crystallographers who study crystals, metals, and more! You must apply to this Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship if you’re in a graduate program.

56. American Quarter Horse Foundation

• Deadline: CLOSED, but opens September 1st, 2023
• Award: Up to $75,000
• Who Can Apply? Those studying Equine Welfare, Genomics, Infectious Diseases, Microbiome of the Horse, or nutrition.
• Details & How to Apply: American Quarter Horse Foundation

We heard about this scholarship on Lend EDU . Official directions will be added once the application is open, but it’s a one-year grant. The amount awarded varies on what you’re studying.

57. Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout for a deadline like on December 31st, 2023.
• Who Can Apply? Students attending, planning to attend, or continuing a program at a university
• Details & How to Apply: Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship

Take the pledge to not text and drive and create an ad to encourage others to do the same! Your advertisement should emphasize the dangers of distracted driving.

58. The Boren Awards Fellowship and Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout next winter.
• Award: Up to $25,000
• Who Can Apply? U.S. graduate and undergraduate students, respectively, who are studying languages that are uncommon to learn in the US.
• Details & How to Apply: The Boren Awards Fellowship and Scholarship

If you’re looking to study a language, studying abroad is the perfect opportunity. The Boren Awards has both a fellowship and scholarship where they will award money to students, preferably those willing to be abroad for 25 weeks.

59. Arizona Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarship

• Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Try again next winter.
• Who Can Apply? Women who are Arizona residents ages 19 and older
• Details & How to Apply: Arizona Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship allows Arizona women to return to community college to complete their goals. Recipients are required to attend one Arizona BPW Foundation per year.

60. Tallo’s College Scholarships

Tallo has a series of scholarships you can gain access to when you make an account. They’ve matched $20 billion in scholarship money which has covered tuition, books, room and board, and more. Don’t miss out on any of their opportunities!

61. Cappex Easy Money Scholarship

Cappex is a platform where students can find colleges that are the right fit, connect them, and supply scholarships that will help them make this a reality. It’s all the tools you need in one convenient place!

62. Adobe Creative Scholarships

Adobe Creative actually offers nine scholarships and fellowships (yes, 9!) to support the dreams of all ages and backgrounds. Check out their website to see which one is for you, and a few are already open!

63. PSAT National Merit Scholarship

Many people write off the practice SATs every high school student takes as merely practice, but you could be rewarded for a good score! Students in their junior year are eligible to receive the National Merit Scholarship based on their scores on the PSAT. To learn more and how to be eligible, check out their website .

One last Hip tip!   Unigo is a great place to search for other college scholarships besides the one listed above.

They have a huge database with millions of different scholarships available. Plus, it’s free to sign up! They provide helpful college reviews , have a student loan finder , publish informative articles , and more. They offer other awesome resources that allow students to make the best decisions about college.

Already a college student? Here are 44 college freebies and discounts you can take advantage of!

About the writer:

Kaitlyn has a Bachelor's Degree from St. John's University with 2 years of writing experience for LinkedIn, Celeb Magazine, and other various publications.

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Comments 43.

Four out of five our kids went to college on full tuition scholarships. The way to get them is work, work, work and do community service and prep for that SAT! Apply to private universities because they are the ones that have scholarships to give away but do it by early Dec in your junior year. By February all the scholarship money has been awarded and it often for the full four years.

Great tips! Thanks Lana!

Smart kids who worked hard. Congratulations!! Can you please guide a little bit more what kind of community service & which universities? Trying to collect info before my kiddo gets there.

Private colleges, especially smaller ones are easiest. Any service that gets you teen out in the community and serving others is good. Our youngest three were in Civil Air Patrol all through high school.

Check to see if your library or local university subscribe to the Foundation Center. https://gtionline.foundationcenter.org/ (there is a “locations” link at the bottom) They have a search engine for individual grants and scholarships. Some you might never have known existed!

The most amazing scholarship out there is The Evans scholarship. Full tuition and quarterly stipend.

Average kids with 3.0’s, play sports, do community service, and are part of leadership clubs, parents earn 80,000 a year…. get screwed all the way around.

Plan ahead, especially if you have an average well balanced kid.

Full ride scholarships are very hard to come by.

Totally agree!

I agree with you on this 100%! I have three in college, all had straight A’s, one was valedictorian, one ranked 3rd in class the other ranked 5th. All played sports and were involved in FFA, 4-H, did community service, etc. They had the most luck with local scholarships, which were great, so appreciative to have received them, but hardly a drop in the bucket compared to the total cost.

As someone mentioned before, check out private colleges. Don’t let the sticker price scare you! One of my kids attends a private college and has received several scholarships, awards, grants directly from that college that has made his tuition cheaper than his siblings who are in public college! Plus, the professors go above and beyond to make sure he not only succeeds but excels! (This has not been OUR experience with the public colleges.) One of my kids was offered a sports scholarship (NOT a full ride) at a private college but it wasn’t a good fit for him. (I loved it, but I’m not the one going!) My impression while visiting the campus and talking with professors was the same as I have with the private college my other son attends, they care about your child’s success!

So, with the experience I have had with this college roller coaster ride! My advice is: 1. Plan ahead! (Don’t assume because your child is a stellar student colleges will throw money at them to attend!) Save, save, save! 2. Apply for as many scholarships as possible and apply early! Don’t procrastinate! 3. Check out private colleges! They have funds that will usually make the cost cheaper than a public school.

Obviously, there are people with better advice and different experiences. This has just been my experience so far, I’m sure there is more to come!

Yep, daughter with 3.5 GPA, average ACT and did work, sports and volunteering gets NO $$ at our state school and very little in the way of federally subsidized loans. Low to average parental income. Private school did offer a scholarship that makes it about the same cost as the state school but she wants the state school. Why are there no scholarships for well rounded kids that aren’t superstars?

This is an amazing resource! Thank you HIP2SAVE!

You’re very welcome, Heather!

I was very fortunate in undergrad at USC. I received academic and need based scholarships. Being a 1st generation college student also gave me the diversity edge for admission and scholarships. Grad school, on the other hand, is when I became all too familiar with the plight of student loans.

Thank you Hip2Save for the information, I’ve passed it on to my niece in college.

Oh good! You’re SO welcome!

Thanks for posting. I am a non traditional student. I am trying to return to school to finish my BA after being gone for 10 years… eek. I am at that point where I need it in order to move up at work.

Some people don’t realize that the pre-SAT test that everyone takes is also a scholarship opportunity (called National Merit). You get a little stipend for being a semi finalist and a bigger stipend for being a finalist. Also, some major private colleges will pick from the finalist pool students to give extra money to (you have to be applying to that school, obviously). My neighbors kids were both finalists. One ended up with a full ride to Vanderbilt. The other ended up with a half tuition scholarship to Villanova. I believe they each applied for a got several other scholarships. Early prep helped my neighbor’s kids get a college degree without going into debt! I say this because I took the PSAT 20 years ago without any prep and didn’t realize there was any money attached to it. I ended up being a semi finalist and got a stipend for $500 x 4 years ($2000 total). I don’t know if the numbers changed over the last 2 decades, but that certainly paid for all my books and lab fees for the year. I remember distinctly regretting that I didn’t study or prepare for the PSAT. I shared this with my neighbor as her kids were starting high school

Thank you I did not know this! My son just took the PSAT for the first time with no prep and I was really confused about why there would be prep classes for it! He has several more years to keep taking it, but now I know I should enroll him in the prep!

PSAT national Merit Scholarship is extremely hard to get. I would focus on other scholarships. If your kid attends a large school the chances are really slim. My kid was runner up and got honorable mention, he gets $0 for that!

Not sure if they still do this. I’ve got a young relative in college now who was named a national merit scholar and he didn’t get any money for college from it.

National merit offers 3 different types of scholarships. First is through the National Merit and is from $500-$2500. The second is corporate sponsored. The last is school sponsored. So the amount of money depends on the school and the state your relative picks. Usually, private schools (except ivy league) are more generous with their scholarship money. But at the very least, if you relative was named a scholar, he should have at least gotten a one time $500-$2500. Schools like Villanova and Vanderbilt definitely give school sponsored national merit scholarships that can be as much as a full ride. However, state schools offered no additional help. I hope that helps

If you have a learning disability or a physical disability, check with your state’s rehabilitation department for scholarship money. I know several people who have gotten 4 year full tuition and books paid this way.

These are awesome! Also, if you have student loan debt, check out the Givling trivia app. Here’s a link to a CNBC article about them. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/14/ways-to-reduce-your-student-debt-without-using-your-paycheck.html?fbclid=IwAR1xTxWkJXKwmfl6YtrZ8tWlmvCRU1qE0D3gt5U0yb6RrEeYf6cNJKrembw

They crowd fund, but you can play and be eligible without spending a penny. They have weekly trivia with nice cash prize, they have two random $10000 drawings, while also crowdfunding $50,000 for a student loan or mortgage (if you don’t have either, you can put the money into an approved investment fund). If you sign up, I’d love it if you use my invite code, RB798402.

In 2019, I applied for the first time for an unusual scholarship: https://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/annual-video-contest-scholarship-for-students/2037264/ I didn’t get it, and I was a little disappointed. But I found out that there are a lot of such programs and you can try your hand at it every year. There really are plenty of scholarship opportunities for students, no matter what anyone says.

My daughter is completing her sophomore year of college, here are a few tips that worked for us:

1. Start thinking about college the summer after freshman year. Have the discussions about what type of school your student wants to attend (small vs large; distance from home, etc) 2. We started visiting colleges after Sophomore year and my daughter found the school that she fell in love with (we did too) after visiting 6 schools. 3. Junior Year – set up a meeting with the school (s) your student has narrowed down their list to. 4. Work on finding scholarships to apply to – some you can apply to even junior year of high school. Two Facebook groups I have found extremely helpful are: Wendy Roever Nelson and Merit Scholarship Deep Dive. Wendy publishes a monthly list of scholarships due at the end of the month – it is a great list with basic information so you know if it is a scholarship your student should apply to. 5. Have your student go in and start asking questions and get to know the college and career person(s) at their high school. They will publish a list of local scholarships. Local scholarships are easier to get because there are less applicants. 6. Have your student write an essay about them selves and what they are pursuing. My daughter’s speech teacher made them do that at the start of senior year – and then present it. It was wonderful because it got her to really focus on who she was, what she wanted scholarship givers to know about herself. This really was an important assignment because it helped her so much with all of the scholarships she applied for. She would tweak the essay based on the scholarship type and requirements. Once she had the speech written she also showed it to the college and career center person who reviewed it. Any essays she had to write for scholarships at the beginning of applying she would set up a time and go in and have the woman review. 7. When you search for scholarships – search for ones for your students intended major but then also search for ones based on attributes of your student: there are scholarships for kindness, for siblings with a sibling with a disability, etc. Also remember, the company you work for might provide scholarships too. 8. Be organized. Use a spreadsheet to track the scholarships applied for, upcoming due dates, what the scholarship application requires. Have your student obtain a few copies of their transcript because some require it. 9. Identify people to write references when requested by the scholarship. This is where it really is important that your student has built relationships with teachers, coaches, organizations in the community so the reference ends up being very personal. Keep in mind senior year a lot of students are asking for reference letters. Tell your student to be proactive and ask early – not last minute. 10. Talk to people – you would be surprised how many great ideas you will get from others about scholarships their students got. 11. Make sure you fill out the FAFSA form early when the application period opens. It now opens Oct 1st – much earlier than it used to. Even if you do not think you will qualify for aid – it is still often required that you fill it out for some scholarships from the college and overall. 12. If you do not qualify for any assistance with FAFSA – if you have any unique circumstance, contact the financial aid office to discuss. They do have exception forms and will often help you. For us – we have very high medical bills each year due to me having a chronic illness that requires many specialized scans and hospitalizations a year and so my daughter’s college had me send in an itemized list of our medical bills for the year and they have given her a $2000 donor scholarship and also let her work a work study job on campus. We really appreciated that. 13. It is a lot of work but definitely worth it to pursue scholarships. 14. Private colleges/universities do tend to give much more generous scholarships so if at first the price tag scares you – my daughter’s did look further and you will typically find that your student will be awarded a very nice scholarship for the 4 years. My daughter’s scholarship from her private university resulted in us paying less than we would have at our state school. And she wanted to go private. So that price tag of $45000 suddenly became much more doable after she received her scholarship. Also – have your student apply to the school(s) as soon as they can. My daughter was able to apply in the summer before senior year and was accepted. The pressure of applying and getting accepted was off and she focused her year on finding scholarships. We were lucky because we looked early and she found the school she wanted. Many of her friends didn’t even start to look until senior year and some then chose schools they had not even visited yet. And these were very good students. I was surprised but I think many people wait thinking you do this all senior year when in fact you can be visiting colleges throughout high school.

I hope the information I shared is helpful. Sorry if it is a bit long. Good luck to all your students.

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to share this helpful list! ❤️❤️We have just started talking more seriously with our kids about what college or type of further education would be best for each of them.

Thanks for sharing all this, and taking the time to write it all out. I love how you laid everything out too. I’m sending what you wrote to a few friends now. Thanks again.

I am OBSESSED with the gorgeous Duct Tape creations I’ve seen from the winners of the prom challenge. The construction is out of this world, and I’m so impressed, I’D give them a scholarship, if I could! 💕 Thanks for sharing this H2S! Does anyone have any insight into helping homeschoolers find assistance? My oldest will be starting 8th grade in the fall, and I’m starting my research now. I don’t want to snooze and loose!

If your local high school offers a concurrent community college degree program I highly recommend enrolling your student to save money. It cuts 2 years off a bachelors degree. They start in their junior year. My state paid some of the tuition and the school district provided transportation. My kid is graduating high school with the college degree in a few weeks. He will entering into year 3 in the fall of a bachelors degree. Keep in mind you’ll probably need to stay in your state for maximum credit transfer.

I don’t have any kids going to college, nor am I, but I love reading about these unexpected scholarships. I didn’t even know scholarships like this existed.

Tips from a Been There, Done That parent: (One child had a perfect ACT score, 17 AP tests, and got a full scholarship to our state university; second child went to a private college and we paid about half of the “sticker price”, they applied during early application and was awarded several school scholarships).

Colleges: they are a business – “Recruiting Future Graduates”. Don’t focus on college’s “sticker price”.

Demonstrate Leadership!!! Create a “Brag Binder” – show to college admissions, easier way for student to talk about themselves.

Scholarships make up only 5% of all aid. Spend time studying for ACT/SAT (for better score) instead of applying for scholarships. College endowments are awarded on first come, first served; are usually rewarded for top 25% applicants. (Apply early!)

Improve academic skills: reading, test-taking class, take ACT/SAT test-prep class. College selection: Career (general career path) -> Major -> College (keeping college values in mind)

Visit colleges Spring of Junior year. Rank colleges before visiting (so that non-academic amenities get in the way of education choice)

Pick at least 6 colleges to apply to. Check college graduation rates. Financial aid will be given to those that have other choices (why? To “woo” student). Financial aid is a “first come, first served” process.

After receiving offers from colleges, you can use the lower offers to share with a preferred school to see if they can better their offer. College Awards Appeal: MUST come from student Be respectful, ask directly, make it easy for them to say yes. Never say “negotiate” (colleges hate that term) If possible be specific (example: “College X has awarded me $10K, can you match that?”)

Brag Binder: Newspaper clippings Honor Roll notices Announcements Thank-you letters Examples of leadership Training certificates Scout photos Volunteer records Degrees / Diplomas Certifications of achievement Charitable activities Membership certificates/IDs Sports officiating credentials Junior Achievement projects Business cards Newsletter mentions Articles you have written Special commendations Letters of appreciation Performance reviews/bonuses

(Some of the above info is personal knowledge learned from other parents before me; other info is from a Thrivent Financial College Planning seminar I went to)

Those silly scholarships are clever ways to collect your private information. Don’t bother.

One million percent in favor of community colleges. Colleges are businesses. Many schools have programs where you can get four year degrees while never leaving the campus of the community college, HUGE money saver. If your kids work, have them ask their employers about scholarships too. My son worked at a grocery store and applied for scholarships every year. Over the 4 years he was awarded over $10,000 which was sooooo helpful.

Take AP courses in HS. That would lessen your kids’ college tuition and work load in college, and probably graduate a semester or two early. Don’t forget if your spouse was/in the military, free tuition to state schools and universities. Our kids went to UC schools and the VA paid for the tuition. They got some scholarships so it helped a little for dorms and food. But planning ahead is the key. We opened 529 plans when they were young, and we used the funds for the dorm/apartment, food, books. That and they worked through college for their personal expenses. We still gave them allowances, but when they started working part time and paid internships, they said they didn’t need their full allowance 😀. Both graduated in 4 years, which is hard in University of California system due to impacted classes, etc. And they graduated without student loans and enough money in the bank to start on their own ( with roommates) without our help 🙂

Thanks for that helpful info, riss! I’m sure other readers will find it to be very helpful.

Could you please tell me where I can find the information about VA tuition help? Is this for all states or just State school in California?

Just apply and hope for the best. Your child will get in somewhere. Where they go to school doesn’t govern who they become. Very few jobs need a top school listed on the resume, especially the 4 year college. What matters is where the MBA is from.

During lockdown we lived in NJ. Our son was a senior at the time. He took the SAT once because testing centers kept closing due to Covid. Our son had no extracurricular activities, barely any community service had an average SAT score but did graduate high school with honors. He applied to 4 colleges and was accepted to all and received scholarship money at all the colleges.

When you apply, you automatically are considered for college sponsored scholarships. We didn’t know this. One private school gave $60,000 scholarship.

I wouldn’t go sweaty with the notebooks and meetings and charts. It’s too stressful and too much work.

Stupid question…my daughter is starting her Junior year of high school. If she applies for some of these scholarships now and is awarded some money, where does the money go? Do they send it to us and we hold it until she starts college or do they hold it until she starts college?

Great information! I especially like #10. If my 8th grade son grows 2 inches in the next 4 years he will definitely apply for that one.

Glad this post was helpful, Colorado Amy! Good luck to your son! 🤞🙌❤️

Thank you for this post. I will have two kids in college next fall and we can use every penny we can find. This is so helpful!

YAY! SO happy to hear you found this post helpful, Kerri! You’re welcome! Good luck on all of the scholarship opportunities your kids apply for! 🤞❤️

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Weird Scholarships to Apply for in 2023

Introduction: weird scholarships.

Students often think that you need to have straight-A's or demonstrated financial need in order to qualify for scholarships. This couldn't be further from the truth! In this post, we're diving into unusual and weird scholarships!

Let's dive in with a bit more detail!

The reality is that there are tons (and I mean TONS!) of unusual scholarships out there to help you fund your college education. These scholarship awards vary greatly in their requirements; some are essay contests, others are artistic challenges.

Despite these differences, there is one main connector among these opportunities. They seek to award money for school based on your involvement with hobbies, your passions, or other unique aspects of your personality. It's important to note that some of these scholarship programs may also ask that you meet certain academic requirements as well, such as a minimum GPA.

There are so many weird scholarships out there for you to explore. To get you started with this piece of the process, below is a starting point for your search for unique scholarships. Keep reading for our list of some of the most unconventional, crazy and unique scholarship opportunities that are out there for you to apply for.

Weird scholarships - THE LIST!

Too cool to pay for school scholarship.

Amount: $1,000

Deadline:  Quarterly (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31)

Eligibility: Open to high school students, college students, and graduate students of all years in the US!

Details:  Not a weird scholarship, just a shameless plug! This is our own scholarship fund contribution to helping students fund their higher education. 

Do Something Scholarships

Amount:  Varies (usually $500 - $2,000)

Deadline:  Ongoing 

Eligibility:  Open to all US students ages 26 and under. 

Details: All scholarships by Do Something involve performing acts of  community service and activism  in exchange for being entered to win scholarships! 

Doodle for Google Scholarship

Amount:  Varies ($5,000 - $30,000)

Deadline:  February 26

Eligibility:  Open to students from kindergarten through grade 12. 

Details:  This scholarship requires you to enter an original doodle and explain how it represents your inner strength. Doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication. National finalist winners receive $5,000 each, and the grand prize winner receives $30,000. 

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Amount:  $5,000 - $10,000

Deadline:  February 20

Eligibility:  Open to graduating U.S. high school seniors who promote vegetarianism (includes veganism) in their schools and/or communities.

Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship

Amount:  $1,000

Deadline:  March 1

Eligibility:  Open to ~vertically gifted~ students. This means women over 5'10" and men over 6'2".

The American Society for Enology and Viticulture Scholarships

Amount:  Varies (up to $12,500)

Eligibility:  Open to students studying Enology/Viticulture, otherwise known as the wine and grape industry.

Create a Greeting Card Scholarship

Amount:  $10,000

Deadline:  March 2

Eligibility:  Open to high school and  college students who are aged 14 and older.

Details: This scholarship contest asks students to submit an original photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a greeting card. 

Stuck at Prom Scholarship

Amount:  Varies ($500 - $10,000)

Deadline:  June 8 

Eligibility:  Open to students ages 14 and older. Must be a legal resident of the United States and the District of Columbia. This excludes residents of Maryland, Vermont, and Colorado and residents of the Province of Quebec). 

Details: The Stuck at Prom Scholarship is open to Students are challenged to create their own prom outfits made entirely from Duck Tape® (Duck Brand). Award amounts vary from $500 for runner-ups to $10,000 for two grand-prize winners.

Minecraft Scholarship

Amount:  $2,000

Deadline:  July 31

Eligibility:  Open to high school and college students who are US citizens. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA. 

Details:  Must write a short essay about your opinion on how Minecraft can be a positive influence within your education and career development.

Rodeo Enthusiast Scholarship

Amount:  $500

Deadline:  August 15

Eligibility:  Open to incoming and current college students.

Details:  Simply write a short essay on your rodeo story for the chance to win a $500 scholarship.

General scholarship tips 

Since we're talking about scholarships in this post, it wouldn't be right to not include a few quick tips for applying.

• Be UNIQUE, Be YOU! One of the most important pieces of advice I impart on students as they work on their applications is to unleash their individuality. This advice holds true even more for these weird and unusual scholarships! When writing essays for these opportunities, the goal is to make them stand out from the rest.
• Make sure you're eligible (and aware of all application requirements) before you apply. This tip should go without saying, but I will say it here anyway! It is crucial to double check eligibility and application requirements for each and every scholarship you find before you dive into applying. Doing so will minimize the likelihood that you apply for an opportunity you're not eligible for, or apply without all of the necessary requirements!
• Ask for help when you need it. I'll be the first to admit that the process of searching and applying for scholarships can be confusing. So, whether you have questions along the way or would like an extra set of eyes to read over an essay, don't be afraid to seek out your resources and ask for help!

Weird scholarships - To conclude...

There you have it-  my running list of wacky, weird, and unusual scholarships!

There may not be a scholarship on my list above that applies to you. However, the important message that I want you to walk away with is that there truly are scholarships out there for everything!

Not all scholarships (like some students are led to believe) are awarded solely for being an A+ student or a star athlete. So, as you apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, make sure you consider all of your unique qualities and interests. You never know when they can help you along the way!

College Reality Check

9 Scholarship Types and 30 Scholarships Nobody Applies For

More than 1.7 million scholarship programs are awarded to eligible students a year. Since you can apply for and receive multiple scholarships at a time, it’s possible to offset a huge chunk of the cost of college or even get a degree for free.

However, you will be competing with millions of students who want to get their hands on scholarships, too.

The good news is that there are less competitive scholarships that get very little to no attention from college-bound kids. Applying for them can significantly increase your chances of winning.

Scholarship programs very few students apply for come from small local organizations, companies and businesses. Many of them also come from personal donations and employers. Non-traditional scholarships are eligible only to certain types of applicants, such as returning students and single mothers.

Most students apply for competitive scholarships because of the big awards involved, ranging anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 or more. Some of these scholarships will cover the majority of the cost of college.

Unfortunately, your chances of winning prestigious scholarships are very rare. It doesn’t come as a surprise since many dream of getting their hands on those big bucks for college. As a general rule, the more competitive the scholarship and the more students apply for it, the lower the chances of getting it.

Let’s check out some of the hardest scholarships to get and their acceptance rates:

While there are competitive scholarship programs with big cash prizes and low acceptance rates, there are also small scholarships that not a lot of students consider applying for.

30 Most Overlooked Scholarships

If are in a hurry and just need a list, here are thirty scholarships that are often overlooked:

As you can see, some of them can be quite substantial. You can check them on Google, but I suggest you go the extra mile and use your imagination.

Following are the tips you can use to find clusters of scholarships nobody thought to apply for, and therefore you will be ahead of other competitors.

The reasons why not many people apply for them vary: some require too much work, and some are only available for certain people.

But since you are smarter than your peers , I suggest reading the entire article and finding your way of paying for college.

Scholarships Nobody Applies For

Long essay scholarships.

There are many things that students in their junior and senior year of high school have to deal with. One of the things that can consume lots and lots of their resources is applying to various colleges and universities.

It’s also the best time to apply for scholarships — there is no need to figure out which college you will go to before you decide which scholarship program you will apply for. Besides, applying early gives you plenty of time to send applications to as many scholarship-granting organizations or corporations as possible.

Because of the stressful and nerve-racking nature of the last couple of years of high school, many students steer clear of scholarship programs whose requirements can be time- and energy-consuming, such as essays.

Some scholarships require 500-word essays, while others require longer ones.

It’s for this reason why no-essay scholarships tend to attract tons of applicants. On the other hand, those requiring applicants to write long essays, sometimes about very challenging topics, act as repellents against very busy high school students. The longer the essay, the farther students stay away.

Needless to say, if you have plenty of time and also the knack for writing and you want to get your hands on a scholarship grant that not too many students fight over, then sit before your laptop, fire up your favorite word processor, and start composing a winning essay.

Under $1,000

When applying for scholarships, most students look for programs that involve cash prizes amounting to more than $1,000. The bigger the award, the easier college will be on the pocket.

However, as mentioned earlier, it’s not easy to win high-dollar scholarships. Similarly, the majority of them can be stressful to apply for. Because huge sums of money are being given away, their providers want to make sure that only the most deserving will be awarded, and it’s by having rigid eligibility requirements.

If you don’t want to waste your resources trying to win prestigious scholarship awards, then consider applying for those that involve winnings of $1,000 or less. There are a couple of reasons why this is a great idea. First, not a lot of students think about applying for them. Second, there are many providers of these smaller college scholarships.

Many of these scholarship programs award $500 that applicants may win easily. Some examples are:

• Webpop Design scholarship
• Vegetarian Video scholarship
• Nutrition and Internet scholarship
• Band Together scholarship
• Camera Runner Photography scholarship
• Home Cleaning and Organizing scholarship
• Celebrity scholarship

Based on the names of the above-mentioned scholarship programs, it’s safe to assume that having a low GPA or test score should be the least of your worries when applying.

Believe it or not, there are scholarship programs that award $100 or less. It’s rare to hear or read about these financial aid gifts as no one really talks about them — competitive scholarships are the ones that everyone focuses on.

For many students, applying to these small-money scholarships is a complete waste of time.

Since practically no one is interested in these scholarships, those who apply for them enjoy higher chances of being named winners. The cash prize may not be the biggest on the planet alright.

However, $100 is still $100 that doesn’t grow on trees. Anything that can help make going to college easier on the pocket is a big help.

It’s when you apply to an affordable college or university when you will feel the full effects of winning a $100 scholarship. And winning several different ones can cause the cash award to add up.

But just because the providers are giving away small amounts of cash only doesn’t mean that the application will be trouble-free all the time. If the under $100 scholarship involves a long application process that will take up lots of your time and energy, then it’s probably not worth applying for it, as many scholarship-seeking students feel.

Local Scholarships

Many students search far and wide just to get their hands on scholarships. Because of this, they tend to miss the ones right under their noses — local scholarships.

Local scholarships, which are some of the most overlooked scholarships, ranging from $50 to $500.

It doesn’t come as a surprise since they are usually offered by small organizations in the local community. They may have big hearts, but they have small pockets. But that’s okay because, as they say, it’s the thought that counts. Local scholarships are sometimes just enough to pay for one semester’s textbooks or miscellaneous fees.

Some of the local organizations or groups that offer scholarships include:

• Restaurants. Local restaurants and franchises are commonly run and staffed by locals, and some of them love giving back in the form of small-money scholarships.
• Volunteer clubs. It’s not that no one applies for scholarships offered by some local volunteer clubs. It’s just that they are usually awarded to volunteers. This is most especially true for long-standing ones.
• Banks. Since they are financial institutions, it’s not uncommon for local banks to offer scholarships. Many credit unions, despite being non-profit, award scholarships, too.
• Religious groups. Are you a member of a church or congregation? See if you are eligible for a scholarship. Being a member or having the willingness to convert can increase your chances of winning.

Since only small amounts of money are involved, not a lot of students apply for local scholarships, which is to the advantage of those who are on the hunt for financial aids that very few to no applicants are interested in.

Personal Donations

Various questions can pop into the mind of a student thinking about applying for scholarships offered by an individual. Are there strings attached? What if the person dies? Will the school or I get the check?

It’s because of these conundrums why many choose to steer clear of personal donation scholarships.

More often than not, scholarship money is from the pocket of someone who used to be a member of an organization or group and would like to give back to the community by helping students go through college. This is why, typically, a scholarship program is named after a philanthropic person.

Allowing a prospective donor to know that his or her money can spell a difference in your life may be done, too. You can do this by writing a scholarship donation letter. See to it that you remain polite and positive throughout your letter, and remember to make the receiver feel important and needed, too.

By the way, you can come up with a personal donation scholarship named after you. One of the steps you may take is by donating a minimum of $500 to Dollars for Scholars by Scholarship America.

Based in Minnesota, Scholarship America is an organization that awards scholarships to students.

It does so by assisting foundations, corporations, communities and individuals, such as yourself, with raising funds and managing and awarding them to eligible students. Since it was established in 1958, Scholarship America has awarded $4.2 billion to over 2.5 million US students.

Unique Scholarships

Compared to high-profile scholarships, unique scholarships are way less competitive. What’s more, not a lot of students who are serious about earning a degree for less take these financial aid packages seriously.

Due to these reasons, you have higher chances of winning a unique scholarship than a more competitive counterpart. This is most especially true if you are unique enough to be the total embodiment of what the providers of these monetary gifts for college are looking for exactly.

Cash prizes range anywhere from as small as $250 to as high as $2,000.

The program choices come aplenty.

For instance, there’s one that requires applicants to design the best prom dress using nothing but duct tape.

Then there’s another one that requires the applicants to be very tall. As a general rule, the more you can beat other applicants with your uniqueness, the higher your chances of taking home the award.

Besides being a complete standout, most unique scholarship programs also require applicants to submit the usual requirements, such as high school transcripts and school ID.

Non-Traditional Scholarships

Just about anybody who is nothing like the majority of college-bound kids can be considered as a non-traditional student.

If you are one and on the hunt for a way to make earning a college degree as cheap as chips, then consider applying for a non-traditional scholarship offered by corporations, organizations, and even colleges.

A lot of people think that non-traditional students are students enrolled online.

While this is true, a handful of others fit the non-traditional student mold, too. For instance, if you choose to postpone college after getting your high school diploma to get a job or establish a business, you are automatically a non-traditional student when you decide to get admitted into a college.

The same is true if you quit college before completing your chosen program — we will talk more about this in a few, so don’t stop reading now.

A few examples of scholarships perfect for non-traditional students include:

• The American Legion Auxiliary Non-traditional Student Scholarship. Up to $1,000 is awarded annually to non-traditional students enrolled at accredited vocational schools or two- or four-year colleges.
• The Walmart Associate Scholarship. It’s obvious that this non-traditional scholarship is offered by a well-known national retail chain. Awards given range anywhere from $500 to $1,500.
• The Osher Reentry Scholarship Program. Non-traditional students eligible for this financial aid package should be between 25 and 50 years old and have stopped going to college for at least five years.

Did you know that single moms are considered non-traditional students, too?

So, if you have to divide your money between raising a family on your own and getting a degree, you may apply for a non-traditional scholarship exclusive for single women.

Returning Student Scholarships

Unless you were once enrolled at a college or university, you are not eligible for a returning student scholarship. The name of this type of financial aid package says it all — it’s reserved for those who decide to give earning a degree one more chance. So, in other words, applicants fresh out of high school do not qualify for it.

Because only certain types of students apply to returning student scholarships, your chances of being the winner are high. This is most especially true if you meet other eligibility requirements, such as having an acute financial need.

Reasons for dropping out of college come aplenty. Some of the most common ones are:

• Dissatisfaction with the school
• Unsureness of the major
• Unpreparedness for the experience
• Encountering family issues
• Having personal emergencies
• Inability to afford to go to college
• Needing to get a full-time job

Speaking of which, since many returning students already have jobs or built-up savings, not too many of those who go back to school apply for scholarships, in particular the ones intended for returning students. Without the need to compete with a lot of applicants, being the winner is very much likely.

However, the returning student scholarships, which can range anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000, are non-renewable. So, in other words, you will enjoy it, should you win one, for a single academic year only.

Employer-Sponsored

Regardless if you quit college to become employed or are powering through college while maintaining a job, you may be eligible for an employer-sponsored scholarship.

There are a couple of very important things to get this type of financial aid package:

• You need to be employed
• Your employer wants you to finish college

Because not all people who have jobs like to go back to school and not everyone’s employer is handing out scholarships, it’s unlikely that you will have to compete with a lot of applicants just to get your hands on it. However, there is one catch: most of the time, you will have to take a program that’s related to your job or industry.

It’s also important to note that, in many instances, you will have to stay with your employer for some time after earning your degree. This waiting period usually lasts from one to two years. Failure to meet this requirement in exchange for your college could mean paying back the provider of the scholarship!

What’s so nice about employer-sponsored scholarships is that they can be awarded not only to employees. In some cases, they can also be granted to the dependents of eligible employees, such as their spouses and children.

However, to be eligible, employees should have been with the employer for a long time, at least one to three years.

Unclaimed Scholarship Money

It’s true that tons of scholarships are available every year, amounting to more than $7.4 billion.

However, it doesn’t mean that all the winners are able to claim their prizes. Unclaimed money, many assume, is then redistributed for other uses or kept for future scholarship programs by their respective providers.

Many students are on the hunt for unclaimed cash prizes, which some people, after doing some math, believe amount to more than $6 billion just waiting for some college students to get their hands on it.

Alas, unclaimed scholarship money is just a myth.

Its existence, however, tends to reemerge every academic year, especially when every high school student is busy applying to colleges and universities and for scholarships, too. One of the reasons for the myth’s resurfacing year after year is unclaimed Pell Grants, which actually exist because of the failure of students to fill out the FAFSA form on time.

Unclaimed scholarship programs are college financial aids that nobody applies for because it’s not a thing.

There are competitive scholarships many students apply for because of their big awards. Then there are also less competitive scholarships, like the ones mentioned above, that not everyone considers applying for because the cash prizes are not that big — some of them award less than $100 to lucky applicants.

Because what they give away is still money, no matter how small, it’s still a good idea to try applying for them.

Applying for several small scholarships allows you to enjoy bigger chances of winning numerous small awards, which can quickly add up and slash a portion of the cost of going to college.

Read Next: Is QuestBridge Scholarship Legit? Facts and Myths

I graduated with BA in Nursing and $36,000 in student loan debt from the UCF. After a decade in the workforce, I went back to school to obtain my MBA from UMGC.

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Exclusive Easy Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines

Sallie Mae No-Essay Scholarship

By: Sallie Mae

Nitro Pay For College No-Essay Scholarship

"Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship

Bold.org No-Essay Community Scholarship

Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No-Essay Scholarship

ScholarshipOwl No-Essay Scholarship

Appily No-Essay Scholarship

Niche College No-Essay Scholarship

“Equal Opportunity” Scholarship

Netflix and Scholarships!

Consumer Affairs Scholarship

Nielsen Rewards No-Essay Scholarship

Spider-Man Showdown Scholarship

GUTS- Olivia Rodrigo Fan Scholarship

"A Daring Path" No-Essay Scholarship

Conscious Consumer Scholarship

Zendaya Superfan Scholarship

"The Summer I Turned Pretty" Fan Scholarship

CampusReel No-Essay Scholarship

Nintendo Super Fan Scholarship

"$$$ Isn't Everything" Scholarship

Catholic Colleges No-Essay Scholarship

CollegeVine Dream School Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:.

• Education Level : Must be a high school student

“Stranger Things” Fanatic Scholarship

Learner No-Essay SAT Tutoring Scholarship

Disney Channel Rewind Scholarship

Anime Enthusiast Scholarship

Fall Favs: A Starbucks Stan Scholarship

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About easy scholarships.

More than $6 billion in scholarship money is awarded each year, with 63% of all undergraduate college students receiving at least one grant or scholarship. However, applying for scholarships can be a lengthy process. With everything else going on in your life, such as keeping up with schoolwork, participating in extracurriculars, and applying for colleges, writing scholarship essays can be a drag. 

Easy scholarships are an alternative that allows high school and college students to quickly apply for financial aid , all while still putting their best foot forward. There are actually tons of scholarships that don’t require an essay submission to be considered. These low-effort scholarships are one of the easiest ways to minimize your need for student loans.

The requirements for these scholarships are much less time-consuming and offer similar award money. To increase your chances of winning one of these no-essay scholarships , make sure to apply early and often!

To make things easier for you, we’ve assembled this exclusive easy scholarship list. These scholarships are unique to Bold.org and will not be found anywhere else. Select one of the featured scholarships in this list to create your free account, and start sending applications today! 

Here at Bold.org you can apply to exclusive scholarships just for you . Sign up here and check which scholarships you are eligible to apply for right now.

What are easy scholarships?

Easy scholarships can take many forms but are generally no-essay scholarships that require little effort to apply. Many easy scholarships on Bold.org require no content to be submitted and only require applicants to install a free and helpful resource, such as the Conscious Consumer Scholarship .

Other scholarships just require a quick click of the “apply” button to enter, such as the USM Transfer Students of NE Scholarship . In this way, easy scholarships often offer quick, stress-free applications for high school and college students.

Additionally, some easy scholarships allow you to access your creative side by asking for a video, photograph, or other media in place of an essay. This not only spares students the time necessary to craft a winning essay but also offers a change of pace from typical essay-based applications.

Why are easy scholarships important?

Higher education is the driving force for social mobility for households across the country. On average, those who receive their bachelor’s degree ear n more annually than those who only complete their high school diploma. While opportunities in higher education often pay dividends down the road in blossoming careers, they can also plunge students into staggering debt. In fact, compared to those who only receive their bachelor’s degree, grad school students take on an additional $54,000 of debt!

People deserve to use their education to propel themselves toward their dreams without utilizing student loans and falling victim to the debt crisis that plagues the US today.

Why easy scholarships?

Today, a lot is expected of prospective and current college students. Showing academic excellence, extra-curricular participation, and volunteer experience still sometimes isn’t enough when colleges are considering applicants. These activities are usually incredibly time-consuming and can, unfortunately, weigh heavily on your mental health, as stress and anxiety are rampant in academic settings. As a result, many high school and college students find it difficult to carve out time to submit regular scholarship applications with well-written essays.

Most scholarship programs have application processes that aren't exactly time-friendly. Easy scholarships give you the chance to submit stress-free scholarship applications in just a few minutes. They're a very small investment that in the end, could earn you free and easy scholarship money toward your education. Every scholarship in this easy scholarship list is exclusive to Bold.org and can be applied to in just 1 click with your profile.

They all have upcoming deadlines, so pick an easy scholarship and get started now!

What qualifies as an easy scholarship?

On Bold.org, there are a plethora of scholarship opportunities for students to take advantage of for tuition assistance and general financial aid. None are more convenient than easy scholarships though! Here are a few qualifications that make up easy scholarships.

No Essay Required: 

A large majority of scholarships on Bold.org require specialized essays to be submitted in order to apply. Easy scholarships don’t require an essay, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be spending time to maximize your chances of winning one! Many easy scholarships have rolling monthly deadlines, so the earlier you apply, the more likely you are to win. Also, when reviewing easy scholarship applications, a fully polished student profile will typically do much better than a less refined student profile. Apply early and fill your profile with relevant and essential information!

Timeless and Easy Application: 

Easy, no-essay scholarships are also known for their minimal application processes. Easy scholarships typically take just a few minutes to apply for and require just a few clicks to be automatically entered!

Broad Eligibility Requirements

Many easy scholarships are open to all high school students, college students, or both. Additionally, most easy scholarships don’t require applicants to be in a certain field of study. The broad eligibility requirements of many scholarships mean that you should be able to find plenty of scholarships that you qualify for!

How to find easy scholarships to apply for

Once you create your profile on Bold.org, you will receive scholarship recommendations that will help you find good-fitting scholarships based on your profile information. You may even be nominated by another user or a donor for a scholarship that they think you’re a good fit for!

You can browse through all of the scholarships currently available on Bold.org, or you can filter by category to pull up scholarships that are relevant to your major, hobbies, or personal identity. You can also choose to only display scholarships that don’t require an essay, which will then leave you with most of the easy scholarships offered on Bold.org.

When to start applying for easy scholarships

On Bold.org, there are easy scholarships available for students at all levels of education , so there’s no need to wait until college to start your search for financial aid. Many students start their search as high school seniors , but you can begin applying for easy scholarships at any point in high school, and any money won will be held for you until you enroll in a college or university. 

However, it’s never too late to begin finding and winning scholarships. Whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, there are easy scholarships designed just for you. Start applying as soon as possible so you can maximize your chances of winning easy scholarships. 

What to consider when applying for scholarships

It can feel like you have no control over your chances of winning when you apply for an easy scholarship since many don’t allow for the personal touch of an essay or any other application materials. 

However, don’t get discouraged if you haven’t won an easy scholarship yet, as there are many strategies to increase your chances of winning. Keep reading to learn about our recommendations for boosting your chances of winning an easy scholarship and funding your college education.

Tips for winning easy scholarships

It may seem like easy, no-essay scholarships just go to one random winner since many students apply. However, there are several things that scholarship winners do to increase their chances of securing a scholarship.

Start as early as possible

Many easy scholarships will have monthly rolling application deadlines, meaning that a new application deadline is set each month until the scholarship is awarded. In these cases, students who apply during earlier application windows will have the best chance of winning, so don’t wait to apply!

Submit applications to as many easy scholarships as you can

Easy scholarships are very popular amongst students and often receive many applications as a result. Since many easy scholarships require no application materials, i t’s difficult to make yourself stand out and win a scholarship. 

Applying for many scholarships will increase your chances of winning one, and the quick nature of easy scholarship applications makes it possible to apply for numerous scholarships very quickly. 

Look for easy scholarships with limited eligibility

Another way to boost your chances of winning an easy scholarship is to find scholarships that have specific criteria and are not open to all students. Additional eligibility requirements will limit the number of applications, resulting in less competition!

There are many easy scholarships that have eligibility restrictions, such as the WiseGeek Recent Immigrants Scholarship. You can use the filter feature to find these scholarships and boost your chances of winning. 

Make your Bold.org profile strong

One more way you can increase your chances of winning an easy scholarship is to strengthen your profile on Bold.org . Having a detailed, fully filled-out profile can attract the attention of donors, and a high number of Bold Points can increase your chances of winning. 

Frequently asked questions about easy scholarships

Even though easy scholarships provide stress-free scholarship applications for students, discussing scholarships can still be stressful with many floating questions without the right answers. Below, we will answer some of your most common questions in hopes that you will understand more about easy scholarships and how they work.

What are some tips for applying?

Applying for easy scholarships is made simple on Bold.org. Here’s our quick rundown:

• Create your free account and instantly gain access to hundreds of scholarships
• Browse our scholarship list, using the filter feature to find the perfect scholarship for you (for the easiest scholarships, select “No-Essay”)
• Bookmark your best-fitting scholarships
• Get started; easy scholarships have rapid, painless application processes and can be applied to in minutes

Click here to read our complete guide on how to apply for scholarships .

What are the easiest scholarships to get?

No-essay scholarships are typically the quickest to apply for. When searching for scholarships on Bold.org, you can use the filter feature to find all of our no-essay scholarships. Easy scholarships with limited eligibility, such as the Stride Funding Affordable Tuition Scholarship , are also great as there are fewer applicants, increasing your chances of winning. 

Scholarships for You Being You

There are scholarships designed for people being who they are. Click below to learn more:

• Native American Scholarships
• LGBTQ Scholarships

How Can I Easily Get a Scholarship That is Typically Hard to Get?

There are many examples of scholarships that are difficult to earn; merit-based scholarships and athletic scholarships are two examples of that. With merit-based scholarships, it's often important to excel academically (as most of these scholarships have a GPA requirement). For athletic scholarships, it's important excel in a sport (sometimes multiple sports) as well as demonstrate leadership qualities.

How can I improve my chances of winning easy scholarships?

Easy scholarships often get many applications due to the minimal requirements, but you can still make your application stand out. Earn as many Bold Points as possible, have a detailed profile, and apply in early application windows to increase your chances of winning easy scholarships. Make sure you also apply for as many scholarships as possible to increase your likelihood of winning free money to cover tuition.

Are easy scholarships legit?

Easy scholarships may seem too good to be true, but they are completely legitimate! All scholarships on Bold.org are real, and you can check out the winners and finalists of every awarded scholarship in the description.

How many easy scholarships can you get?

There’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can win on Bold.org. Since many easy scholarships just require a few clicks to apply, you can apply for as many as you’d like in a short amount of time.

Are easy scholarships taxable income?

Scholarship money from Bold.org is sent directly to your college or university and is not considered taxable income. If you’re not yet in college, we’ll hold your award money in an account for you until you enroll.

Are there easy scholarships for high school students?

Many quick and easy scholarships aim to help high school seniors finance their future college costs, but there are plenty of scholarships available for high school juniors and underclassmen as well, so don't wait to apply! It's never too early to start financing your education-related expenses.

Are there easy scholarships for current college students?

Current undergraduate students should have no trouble finding scholarships to help with their college tuition. Many scholarships are open to students at all levels of education, including undergraduate and graduate students.

​​Aren’t easy scholarships just a raffle?

Oftentimes, easy scholarships can be a raffle, so you should look for cases where you have more control over the outcome of the award. Our no-essay scholarships are less repetitive and not so much of a lottery, but are very quick and easy scholarship options.

To increase the chances of winning these scholarships, you have the option and are encouraged to refine your profile to the best of your ability to show the panel that you are serious about your academics and receiving the award to fund your education. By adding more to your profile, the panel is able to understand more about you as a person and a student, which personalizes their choice and can swing the decision in your favor.

What’s the deal with easy scholarship application deadlines?

Some of our easy scholarships have rolling monthly application deadlines that reward students who seize the day and are bold enough to apply early. The earlier you apply to these scholarships, the more likely you are to win them! To see when easy scholarships will be awarded, check out the award dates on the scholarship's page.

I am an international student. May I still apply for easy scholarships?

It’s not hard to see why everyone wants easy scholarships, but there are some limitations. Currently, all of our scholarship offerings are available to those studying in the United States. If you live internationally but attend a US-based school, you are eligible to apply!

The scholarship world can often be daunting, so our easy scholarships are here to make it a little bit easier for you to feel satisfied with your scholarship applications.

Explore more scholarship categories

• Scholarships by education level
• Scholarships by state
• Scholarships by ethnicity
• Scholarships by major
• Scholarships by type

No-essay scholarships are typically the quickest to apply for. When searching for scholarships on Bold.org, you can use the filter feature to find all of our no-essay scholarships. Easy scholarships with limited eligibility, such as the Stride Funding Affordable Tuition Scholarship, are also great as there are fewer applicants, increasing your chances of winning.