69 Weird Scholarships for College Students In 2024

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In need of some random scholarships? Here are some unique and weird scholarships for college that are available in 2024.

student holding red folder with headphones on neck

Looking for unusual scholarships for college students in 2024!?

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 these interesting scholarships require minimal or NO writing!

Here are over 63 weird scholarships you can apply for in 2024:

1. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

person holding a basket of vegetables

  • Deadline: February 20th, 2024
  • Award: One award of $10,000 and four 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

This is one of the unusual scholarships being offered in 2024. The Vegetarian Resource Group awards $30,000 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. You must be graduating high school in the spring of 2024 to apply.

2. Courage to Grow Scholarship

students.on apple laptop who may have gotten into college using weird scholarships

  • Deadline: February 29th, 2024 (end of every month)
  • Award: $500
  • Who Can Apply? All junior and senior 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.

3. “No Essay” College Scholarship

blank piece of paper and pen next to a cup of coffee

  • Deadline: February 29th, 2024 (a new winner is selected monthly)
  • Award: $2,000 (one winner per month)
  • Who Can Apply? All U.S. high school and college students, as well as any US citizen or Visa holder 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 one of the easy and fun scholarships 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.

4. Sweet and Simple Scholarship

person writing a list, perhaps of unusual scholarships

  • Deadline: February 28th, 2024
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? Ages 14 and up who are enrolled at an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education
  • 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!

5. Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants

young woman happy with an ipad because she applied to fun, weird, random, and crazy scholarships

Love applying for scholarships? Debt.com wants to award students who have shown tenacity and courage in applying for ALL the free college money that is out there. This is one of the more obscure scholarships that awards persistence!

All you have to do to enter is apply for TONS of scholarships. Don’t worry. You don’t have to win them! You just send in copies of all of your submission receipts to Debt.com, along with a letter saying a bit about yourself. Include your plans in life and how you felt submitting all those applications.

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.

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

a video camera recording

  • Deadline: May 17, 2024
  • Award: $4,000
  • Who Can Apply? Any full-time advanced program or graduate student with a 3.0 GPA pursuing a career in moving image archiving
  • Details & How to Apply: AMIA Sony Pictures Scholarship

These rare scholarships may make a difference when it comes to affording tuition. 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. The AMIA also has a $4,000 scholarship aimed at women pursuing careers in audiovisual archiving.

7. American Board of Funeral Service Education Scholarship

casket with flowers

  • 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 enrolled in funeral services or mortuary science programs
  • Details & How to Apply: ABFSE National Scholarship

Dying to get into the funeral business? Here is one of the odd scholarships available to you. 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.

8. Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship

hand holding a college diploma

  • Deadline: April 1, 2024
  • Award: Up to $5,000
  • Who Can Apply? College-bound high school seniors who have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
  • 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 ninth-place winners getting $500 to one grand prize of $5,000. The foundation awards tons of entries, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

9. Tall Clubs International Scholarship

man outside with a measuring stick who is tall enough for one of the unusual and obscure scholarships for men above 6 feet 2 inches

  • Deadline: March 1st, 2024
  • 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! If you fit the requirements, head on over to the website and fill out an application. There are a few important dates to be aware of in the scholarship process, so be sure to mark them on your calendar.

10. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

blank greeting card with flowers in background

  • Deadline: March 1st, 2024
  • 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 program that results in a degree or diploma
  • Details & How to Apply: Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship

Have a knack for drawing? One of the fun and random scholarships you can apply to is The Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship. This 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.

11. Doodle for Google Scholarship

a samsung tablet showing google, one of the sponsors of silly scholarships for college like the Google for Doodle scholarship

  • Deadline: March 14th, 2024
  • Award: $5,000 for finalists, $55,000 grand prize scholarship + $50.000 tech package for school
  • Who Can Apply? All students K-12 (including homeschool)
  • Details & How to Apply: Doodle for Google

Do you like silly scholarships? Try Doodle for Google. Every year, Google chooses a theme and students are encouraged to draw a logo based on the entry. Five finalists will win a $5,000 scholarship plus some Google hardware and swag. If you score the main prize, you’ll get a $55,000 scholarship, Google hardware and swag, a $50,000 technology package for your school or a non-profit of the winner’s choice, and a trophy for you and your school. Additionally, a few winners will receive unique awards like the Biggest Smile Award or the Good Neighbor Award.

12. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship

kale and veggies in pan

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!

13. Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize

woman writing and holding a cup of coffee

  • Deadline: March 31st, 2024
  • Award: $500
  • Who Can Apply? History majors studying Romani studies that are undergrad students, grad students past their 1st year of study, or phD students (up to three years after being awarded the degree)
  • Details & How to Apply: Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize

This one may not be weird, but it’s definitely one of the more obscure scholarships. The Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize was created to support those studying Gypsies and Travelers in Romani culture. If you’d like to apply, you must write a paper between 30 and 40 double-spaced pages about Romani studies.

14. Duck Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship

teen girl holding up duct tape to her prom date

  • Deadline: Be on the lookout in Spring 2024.
  • 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 2023 – 2024 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. If you love strange scholarships, apply for this one!

15. Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

College Students helping each other study

  • Deadline: March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st (quarterly)
  • Award: $1,000
  • Who Can Apply? All high school and college students
  • Details & How to Apply: Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

Here’s another one of the silly scholarships! There is no essay required and it’s super easy to enter. All you have to do is fill out the application and hit submit. Plus, you can re-enter every quarter!

16. Superpower Scholarship

person wearing a superhero shirt as the Superhero scholarship is one of the odd, funny, and unique scholarships available to college students

  • Deadline: March 31st, 2024
  • Award: $2,500
  • Who Can Apply? U.S. students ages 14 and up
  • Details & How to Apply: Superpower Scholarship

Looking for more funny and crazy scholarships? Channel your inner hero and let the Superhero Scholarship know which superhero or villain you want to change places with for a day and why. You have 250 words or less to make your case!

17. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

person typing on laptop while looking at information on a cellphone

  • Deadline: April 1st, 2024
  • Award: $15,000 maximum per year (one winner every two months)
  • Who Can Apply? Current college students with financial need who participate in progressive movements for social change
  • 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 in your community.

18. Asparagus Club Scholarship

cutting asparagus

  • Deadline: April 15th, 2024
  • Award: Scholarships start at $1,000
  • Who Can Apply? Full-time enrolled rising college freshman through post graduate studies who have a GPA of at least 2.5 and 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)!

These strange scholarships are worth applying to! They are awarded for up to four semesters, provided that the recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements. Scholarship winners will be notified in early summer and disbursements are usually made in August.

19. National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships

Nurses Week photo

  • Deadline: March 15th, 2024
  • 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!

20. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests

think outside the box on chair

  • Deadline: April 25th, 2024 for 8-12 Scholarships & College-Age Scholarship TBD
  • Award: Up to $10,000 per winner – Over 230 prizes, totaling more than $70,000
  • Who Can Apply? 8th-12th Grade Students and College Undergraduate & Graduate Students (contest date TBD)
  • 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! ✏️ These may be overlooked scholarships, but they shouldn’t be! There is a lot of prize money to be won and you can spend the prize money however you wish!

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

The Anthem writing contest is open for 8th – 12th-grade students (deadline April 25th). The first-place winner will get $2,000 (one winner), 2nd place winners will get $500 (three winners), and 3rd place winners will get $100 (five winners).

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

21. All About Education Scholarship

writing in journal

If you like random scholarships, try this one! All you have to do is write how $3,000 would ease the stress of college tuition in 250 words or less.

22. Crossword Hobbyist Scholarship

woman doing crossword puzzle as the crossword puzzle scholarship is one of the unusual, weird, obscure, and rare scholarships available to college students

  • Deadline: May 3rd, 2024
  • Award: $1,000 (one winner) + a lifetime subscription to My Crossword Maker
  • Who Can Apply? Current or incoming undergraduate students who are enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester
  • Details & How to Apply: Crossword Hobbyist Scholarship

Do you enjoy puzzles? Why don’t you try creating your own and apply to this unique and fun scholarship? The Crossword Hobbyist rewards 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!

23. Fifth Month Scholarship

a number five table number

  • Deadline: May 31st, 2024
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? U.S. residents ages 14 and up who are enrolled in an accredited postsecondary insitution
  • 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!

24. Allied Health Scholarships

an optometrist tool

  • Deadline: June 1st, 2024 for the Fall 2024 semester & November 1st, 2024 for the Spring 2025 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.

25. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

ocean

For this impactful, not-so-weird scholarship, you’ll be following the prompt, “Tell Your Climate Story”. Answer how climate issues and solutions have affected you or your community. You can use any means of the arts to complete this prompt, including art, music, creative writing, poetry, dance, multimedia, and film.

26. GoFoodservice Scholarship

cooking veggies in a pot for soup

  • Deadline: June 15th, 2024
  • Award: $500
  • Who Can Apply? High school or current college students who study Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management
  • Details & How to Apply: GoFoodservice Scholarship

Don’t overlook this obscure scholarship! All you have to do is write 500 words about why you became interested in seeking a Culinary or Hospitality career.

27. Boom & Bucket’s Scholarship

man dressed in graduation attire

  • Deadline: March 31, 2024
  • Award: $1,000 paid directly to the school as a tuition payment
  • 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 unique 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 excited about their field of study.

28. SmarterCollege Scholarship

putting coins in piggy bank

  • Deadline: February 29, 2024
  • Award: $1,000
  • 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 and there is no limit to how many times you can win!

29. BMTX Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship

man holding $20 cash bills

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 unusual 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.

30. Flavor of the Month Scholarship

A scoop of homemade birthday cake ice cream that tastes like cake batter

  • Deadline: July 31st, 2024
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? U.S. residents ages 14 and up
  • 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, “If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?”

31. Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship

spirit airline plane

  • Deadline: March 1, 2024
  • Award: $1,000 each (four winners)
  • Who Can Apply? Aviation students who blog on a weekly basis about school, flight training, and interest in aviation
  • Details & How to Apply: Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship

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

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

college classroom

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.

33. Clubs of America Scholarship

books on library shelf

  • Deadline: August 31st, 2024
  • Award: $1,000
  • Who Can Apply? Undergrads with at least a 3.0 GPA
  • Details & How to Apply: Clubs of America Scholarship

Here’s another one of the random scholarships we’ve found. Simply write about your career aspirations in at least 600 words. Although it’s optional, you can also submit a YouTube video!

34. AFSA 2nd Chance College Scholarship

water gushing from sprinkler

  • Deadline: August 31st, 2024
  • Award: $1,000 each (5 winners)
  • Who Can Apply? Citizens or aliens legally residing in the USA who have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Details & How to Apply: AFSA 2nd Chance 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.

35. Shout It Out Scholarship

woman shouting in mega phone, perhaps applying for the Shout It Out scholarship, one of the random and weird scholarships available to students

  • Deadline: September 30th, 2024
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? U.S. residents ages 14 and up
  • Details & How to Apply: Shout it Out Scholarship

In 250 words or less, what’s one thing you feel like shouting to the entire 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!

36. Digital Responsibility Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

person driving

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.

Digital Responsibility also sponsors other impactful, albeit strange, scholarships like the E-Waste Scholarship where you must state, in 140 characters or less, the main reason one should care about e-waste. Another one is the Digital Privacy Scholarship where you must explain how you are taking responsibility for your digital profile.

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

steel worker

  • Deadline: October 14th, 2024
  • Award: $7,500 and a paid internship
  • Who Can Apply? Undergrad 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.

39. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Zombie Statue coming out of the ground, depicting one of the strange and weird scholarships, the Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Speaking of strange scholarships, have you heard of the 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.

40. Francis Ouimet Scholarship

two people golfing on a course

  • Deadline: December 1st, 2024
  • 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, and the amount you’re rewarded varies.

41. Alice W. Rooke Scholarship

doctors looking at xray

  • Deadline: Varies, but email AliceWRookeScholarship@NSDAR.org 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.

42. Imagine America Foundation Scholarship for Adults

students hanging out perhaps applying for unusual or weird scholarships

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.

43. ABPA Harrington-Arthur Scholarship Essay Competition

woman holding glass of water

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.

44. CME Beef Industry Scholarship

farmer with cows

  • 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.

45. Worthy Women’s Scholarship

woman on computer, perhaps applying to unique or weird scholarships

  • 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

This may be one of the more overlooked scholarships, but it’s so easy to apply that it’s worth your time. With this scholarship, you’ll choose one of three prompts about a dream, guidance, or culture and write about it in 300 – 500 words.

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

college classroom with books open on a table

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.

47. CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students

outside of cvs pharmacy

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Check back in Spring 2024.
  • 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 2.0 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.

48. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

2 boxes of tylenol PM

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Try again in May 2024.
  • Award: $5,000 – $10,000
  • Who Can Apply? Students pursuing a healthcare-related career like medical school, nursing, or pharmacy
  • 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.

49. National Potato Council Scholarship

yellow potatoes on ground

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Check back in June 2024.
  • 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? Here is one of the weird and obscure scholarships available to you. 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!

50. James Allen Cox Foundation Student Photojournalists Scholarship

man taking photos

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.

51. Make Me Laugh Scholarship

two women with dogs sitting on bed laughing

  • Deadline: August 31, 2024
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? U.S. residents ages 14 and up
  • 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!

52. Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship

crystals and metals, one of the courses you can study thanks to random and unusual scholarships

  • Deadline: October 10, 2024 (Applications open in August 2024)
  • Award: $2,500
  • Who Can Apply? Graduate students studying crystallography-related fields during 2024
  • 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. It’s one of the helpful and unusual scholarships available to you!

54. American Quarter Horse Foundation

Pinto horse in barn

  • Deadline: November 1, 2024 (Applications accepted starting August 1, 2024)
  • Award: Up to $50,000
  • 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.

55. The Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship

Collin with her dog and a computer

Calling all college pet owners! Waggle doesn’t want you to have to choose between affording school or paying for pet care. The Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship was created to help college students have a little more wiggle room when it comes to juggling school and pet expenses.

If you could use these funds for your pets veterinary needs, apply by writing a 400-600 word essay outlining steps pet owners can take to prepare for emergency vet needs and thus preventing the surrender or euthanization of a pet due to financial limitations.

56. The UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship

A man acting with a puppet thanks to strange and weird scholarships awarded to those studying puppetry

  • Deadline: December 1, 2024 (Applications accepted starting October 1, 2024)
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? American puppeteers looking to study puppetry outside the U.S.
  • Details & How to Apply: UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship

Talk about strange scholarships! This offbeat scholarship is for those with a passion for puppetry! Apply for it if you’ve ever wanted to take your puppeteer skills to the next level by studying abroad in places like Prague, London, or Paris! Winners will be announced in January 2025.

57. The Redhead Scholarship

A redhead with a camera, perhaps studyihng thanks to odd scholarships for redheads

  • Deadline: April 4, 2024
  • Award: $500 for grand winner (up to $5,000 in prizes)
  • Who Can Apply? High school juniors and seniors with red hair
  • Details & How to Apply: The Redhead Scholarship

Natural redheads are some of the most rare people on the planet and one of the obscure scholarships they can apply to receive is The Redhead Scholarship. Applying is super easy. You just need to submit some current and childhood photos along with a personal statement and your transcript.

58. AACT John Kitt Memorial Scholarship for Candy Technologists

A plate of candy lollipops

  • Deadline: May 15, 2024
  • Award: $2,500
  • Who Can Apply? College sophomores, juniors, and seniors in 2024-2025 with a 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated interest in confectionary technology
  • Details & How to Apply: The John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

How sweet is this fun scholarship? If you have a future career in candy, consider submitting an application! You’ll need a letter of recommendation and demonstrated interest in confectionary technology.

59. Our World – Underwater Scholarship Society

A scuba diver with a camera

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout for the next deadline which is around January 2025.
  • Award: Up to $30,000
  • Who Can Apply? Scuba divers aged 21 to 26 who do not yet have a graduate degree
  • Details & How to Apply: Our World – Underwater Scholarship Society

Scuba divers, this is one scholarship that pays BIG so you don’t want to overlook it! If you want to pursue a career that involves underwater life, this may be the scholarship for you. It is applicable for those with an interest in careers like an underwater photographer, marine biologist, scientific researcher, or conservation specialist. To get started, check out the requirements on their website and gather up your letters of recommendation and proof of dive history.

60. STARFLEET Scholarship

Star-Trek the original series

  • Deadline: June 1, 2024
  • Award: Varies (multiple recipients)
  • Who Can Apply? STARFLEET members studying engineering, technology, medicine, veterinary sciences, the arts, business, or education at a college, technical school, or community college.
  • Details & How to Apply: STARFLEET Scholarships

Calling all Trekkies! Fans of Star Trek who belong to STARFLEET are eligible for some odd scholarships. There are 5 scholarships being awarded in various areas of study. You must have belonged to STARFLEET for at least a year to be considered. Be prepared to write an essay and submit letters of recommendation.

Not part of STARFLEET? There are two scholarships available to non-members, including one for women in STEM fields!

61. Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship

reducing entitlement — driving to the rescue

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout for a deadline like on December 31st, 2024.
  • Award: $1,500
  • 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

One of the more random scholarships, this one asks applicants to use their humor to make a safety announcement. 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.

62. The Boren Awards Fellowship and Scholarship

A passport next to a globe

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout for applications to open winter 2024.
  • 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.

63. Arizona Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarship

student working on a laptop thanks to some weird, unique, strange, and random scholarships

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.

64. Jeannette Rankin Foundation

college graduation

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout for applications to open winter 2024.
  • Award: Varies
  • Who Can Apply? Low-income women and non-binary students 35 and older looking to continue their education.
  • Details & How to Apply: Jeannette Rankin National Scholar Grant

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.

The fund also has two other scholarships – the Emerge Grant and the National Tribal College Scholar Grant – for those 25 and over.

65. The “I Have a Dream” Scholarship 

woman in a bed sleeping

  • Deadline: CLOSED. Sorry, gang! Be on the lookout for applications to open winter 2024.
  • Award: $1,500
  • Who Can Apply? U.S. residents ages 14 and up
  • Details & How to Apply: I Have a Dream Scholarship

Don’t pass up unusual scholarships with easy applications! 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.”

66. Tallo’s College Scholarships

college students applying for unusual, strange, and weird 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!

67. Appily

College students headed to class thanks to some unusual, weird, and random scholarships

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

68. Adobe Creative Scholarships

woman assisting student using laptop

Adobe Creative actually offers eight scholarships and fellowships (yes, 8!) 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!

69. PSAT National Merit Scholarship

student taking test

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.

man celebrating graduation

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

They have a huge database with millions of different random 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.

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