Wacky & Unusual Scholarships
There’s a Weird One in Every Crowd
We’ve continued to find that there truly is a scholarship fit for everyone. That means you’ll find some pretty odd scholarships if you look long enough. The following are some scholarships that defy the bounds of any other category. They are all, shall we say, unusual. But college money is college money no matter what the criteria. You never know, you may be an unusually perfect fit for one of them!
Unusual Scholarship Opportunities
Patrick Kerr Skateboard ScholarshipHigh school seniors who are skateboarders and United States citizens are invited to apply for the Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have plans to enroll in either a two- or four-year degree program at a college or university. Four scholarships are awarded each year: one in the amount of $5,000 and three in the sum of $1,000 each. Read more about skateboard scholarships.
Parapsychology Foundation, Inc.The Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship is offered each year to a student studying parapsychology, "psychic phenomena," or conducting research in this area of study to meet the requirements of his or her degree program. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply for funding.
American Sheep Industry AssociationCan you knit, crochet, or sew? You may want to consider entering the Make It Yourself With Wool Contest. Contestants must construct and model their own garments made from wool or a wool blend. Winners at the state level advance to the national competition. Winners at the national level are awarded scholarships of either $1,000 or $2,000.
The Klingon Language InstituteThe Kor Memorial Scholarship goes well beyond just the Star Trek fan base that the name may indicate. Instead, the KLI is an organization of linguistics devotees from students to Trekkies to gamers. Applicants don’t have to know one word of Klingon language to apply. The $500 in scholarship monies awarded each year will go to a student enrolled in a degree program in the study of a language or linguistics.
Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to be considered for this scholarship. Instead of applying directly, students must be nominated by their respective department chair or dean. In addition to the nominating letter, each nominee will submit two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement setting out the nominee’s reason(s) for choosing to major in a specific language and his or her goals for the future.
American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT)Students enrolled in a four-year college or university program majoring in food science, biological science, or chemical science can apply for the National Candy Technologists Scholarship. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an interest in candy technology that goes well beyond a simple sweet tooth; this interest can take the form of previous work experience, research, or studies. Interested persons must be undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors and have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0.
National Marbles Tournament ScholarshipsParticipants, or mibsters, at the four-day National Marbles Tournament play for scholarships and other prizes. In order to advance to the national level, the marble shooters must have first won a local tournament. The first National Marbles Tournament was held in 1922.
