In elementary school, we’re taught that it’s okay to be different. What they don’t tell you is that a bunch of people will still make fun of you and give you a hard time about it. Well, you can get the last laugh by using your freakiness to fund your education through one (or more) of these weird, bizarre, and unusual college scholarships.
1. Tall Clubs International Student Scholarships
Have you been looking at the tops of people’s heads since middle school? If so, you probably qualify for the Tall Clubs International Student Scholarships. These scholarships of up to $1000 are annually awarded to freakishly tall students attending their first year of college. Women must be at least 5′10″ and men must be at least 6′2″ to be eligible.
2. Little People of America Scholarships
Short people shouldn’t feel left out. Little People of America offers educational scholarships to prospective and current students who are no taller than 4′10″ in height. Scholarships can range from $250 to $1000 (or more).
3. Scholarship for Left-Handed Students
You left-handed freaks may want to consider going to Juniata College to take advantage of the Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship. This scholarship of up to $1000 is awarded to left-handed students of Juniata College based on academic performance.
Photo by Ayoumali
4. Duck® Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest
So those weirdoes that showed up to your prom in duct tape aren’t so weird after all. They were probably just trying to win the Stuck at Prom Contest. With a $3,000 cash prize for each member of the winning couple, who could blame them? All you have to do is send in a picture of you and your date wearing complete attire or accessories made from duct tape.
Photo by Billy V
5. Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest
If you’re a high school senior and duck calling is your thing, then you should be heading to Stuttgart, Arkansas at the end of this month to enter the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest. The first place winner receives a $1,500 scholarship and a jacket.
6. Evans Scholars Foundation Scholarship
Did you know that you could get a free ride to college for being a golf caddie? Okay, it’s a little harder than that, but each year the Evans Scholars Foundation covers tuition and housing for hundreds of student caddies from all over the country.
Most Evans Scholars go to one of the fourteen universities where the Evans Scholars Foundation owns and operates a scholarship house. Scholarship winners are required to reside in the scholarship house, so it’s like a really competitive, coed caddie fraternity/sorority.
Photo by frankh
7. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests
Did your English teacher make you read The Fountainhead because it’s the second best book ever written next to Ayn Rand’s other masterpiece, Atlas Shrugged? Well, if she/he did and you’re in 11th or 12th grade, then you could win up to $10,000 by writing an essay on one of the three topics listed at the Ayn Rand Institute site.
12th graders and current college students also have an opportunity to win up to $10,000 by writing an essay on Atlas Shrugged. Any person who can discuss themes from a book that thick using only 800 to 1,600 words deserves $10,000 in my opinion.
8. National Candy Technologists Scholarship Program
Have you demonstrated an interest in confectionery technology? Students with sophomore, junior, or senior status in the 2009-2010 school year majoring in food science, chemical science, biological science, or a related area can apply for this $5,000 scholarship sponsored by the American Association of Candy Technologists. Who wants candy?
9. Scholarships Based On Your Last Name
What’s in a name? Apparently, a lot of money if you can meet all of the requirements. For example, if your last name happens to be Zolp, you have a certificate of baptism or confirmation to prove that you’re Roman Catholic, and you get accepted and decide to go to Loyola University Chicago, then you’re set. Your tuition will be covered for the next four years.
At Texas A&M, the magic surname is Scarpinato. Anyone whose last name is Scarpinato by birth or marriage gets a full ride to the university. The scholarship was endowed by Lee Scarpinato, a member of the class of ‘34.
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Very funny scholarships and I’m sure there are more out there. For sports, apparently a very good, easier scholarship to get is if you are on the crew team, or do some type of crew activities. So few high school kids do crew or would ever think about waking up that early. If you do, it’s a great resume item.
Craig
http://www.budgetpulse.com
“Any person who can discuss themes from a book that thick using only 800 to 1,600 words deserves $10,000 in my opinion.”
Ha ha, very aptly put, but yes, I recommend this contest. The ARI is dedicated to getting people to not just flick through these books, but to really read them. You get $10,000 if you win (there are also lower prizes for 2nd and 3rd prize I should add) and, who knows, if you end up actually really getting interested in the themes expressed in the book, the ARI can even provide you a proper education in what the philosophy, ‘Objectivism’ is all about.
So, I’d recommend anyone out there considering this, to go for it. The ARI isn’t just a disinterested money-bank, giving out money out of guilt or charity. It is aimed at getting people to think about these ideas seriously - it’s aimed at getting you to think. Any Institute that is trying to get you to think to gain a scholarship is worth its salt, I think.
My sister and I both have the Tall Clubs International scholarship. I’m 6′7′ and she’s 6′2″. It’s an awesome group to get involved with.
why don’t they have easy scholarships for NORMAL white american kids with a good GPA but not good enough. I’ve been searching and searching for my son but you either have to belong to this, have this intrest, be left-handed or tall, going into this field. my god why not just a normal scholarship for normal kids ones who are in need of financial help but are white, healthy, sexually straight, and american citizens. i’m totally blown away by how unnormal you have to be to get a blooming scholarship. My son wants to be a teacher this nation NEEDS good teachers yet where are the blooming scholarships to help those who fit my sons criteria??? I never thought America to ever be anti-normal but by god we are. How shameful.
Dawn, that’s what fafsa is for. Plus, there are plenty of scholarships for essay writing or things like that. Would you give money away to some average joe? Scholarships are given to those who are not ordinary, whether they are good students or just tall ones.