67 Weird Scholarships for College Students in 2025 (+ Some Still Open for 2024!)
In need of some random scholarships? Here are some unique and weird scholarships for college that are available in 2025!
Looking for unusual scholarships for college students in 2025!?
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 70 weird scholarships you can apply for in 2025:
1. Courage to Grow Scholarship – still time to apply in 2024!
- Deadline: End of Every Month (December 31, January 31st, etc.)
- 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.
2. “No Essay” College Scholarship – still time to apply in 2024!
- Deadline: End of Every Month (December 31, January 31st, etc.)
- Award: $2,000 (one winner selected each 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.
3. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests – still time to apply in 2024!
- Deadline: December 20th, 2024 for 8-12 Scholarships & Decembe 27th, 2024 College-Age Scholarship
- 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).
4. Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship – still time to apply in 2024!
- 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!
5. SmarterCollege Scholarship – still time to apply in 2024!
- Deadline: End of Month (December 31st, January 30th, etc.)
- 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!
6. Bones Coffee Company $2,500 Scholarship – still time to apply in 2024!
- Deadline: December 27th, 2024
- Award: $2,500
- Who Can Apply? Undergraduates 18+ who are enrolled in accredited university or high school seniors accepted to a university program for Spring 2025.
- Details & How to Apply: Bones Coffee Company $2,500 Scholarship
To apply, you’ll need to write an 800-word essay on one of the following topics: The Cultural Significance of Coffee, The Science of Coffee Roasting, or the Economic and Social Impacts of Coffee in Emerging Markets. See the scholarship website for full guidelines and instructions.
7. Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship – still time to apply in 2024!
- Deadline: 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.
8. American Quarter Horse Foundation
- Deadline: January 15, 2025
- 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.
9. The Boren Awards Fellowship and Scholarship
- Deadline: January 29th, 2025
- 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.
10. Our World – Underwater Scholarship Society
- Deadline: January 31, 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 involving underwater life, this may be the scholarship for you. It applies to those interested in careers like underwater photography, marine biologist, scientific researcher, or conservation specialist. To get started, check out the requirements on their website and gather your letters of recommendation and proof of dive history.
11. The “I Have a Dream” Scholarship
- Deadline: January 31, 2025
- 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.”
12. Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants
- Deadline: February 3, 2025
- Award: $1,000
- 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 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.
13. Jeannette Rankin Foundation
- Deadline: February 16, 2025
- 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.
14. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
- Deadline: February 20th, 2025
- Award: One award of $10,000 and six awards of $5,000
- Who Can Apply? Graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism in their schools and/or communities
- Details & How to Apply: Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
This is one of the unusual scholarships being offered in 2025. The Vegetarian Resource Group now awards $50,000 annually to high school students. Applicants will be judged on compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan diet/lifestyle. You must be graduating high school in the spring of 2025 to apply.
15. Sweet and Simple Scholarship
- Deadline: February 28th, 2025
- Award: $1,500
- Who Can Apply? Ages 14 and up who are enrolled at an accredited post-secondary 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 gift you received and why it was meaningful to you – that’s it!
16. 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 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.
17. Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship
- Deadline: March 1, 2025
- 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. They award several winners up to $5,000. Your submission may be in the form of a written or video essay. Visit the website for full guidelines.
18. Tall Clubs International Scholarship
- Deadline: March 1st, 2025
- 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 (the application window opens on January 1, 2025). There are a few important dates to be aware of in the scholarship process, so be sure to mark them on your calendar.
19. Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship
- Deadline: March 3rd, 2025
- Award: $10,000
- 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.
20. Doodle for Google Scholarship
- Deadline: Check back for the 2025 deadline to be announced (last year’s deadline was in March)
- 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.
21. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Scholarship
- Deadline: March 15th, 2025
- Award: $2,500 to $10,000
- Who Can Apply? Undergrads studying the food industry & graduate students pursuing a degree in supply chain
- 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!
22. Gypsy Lore Society Young Scholars’ Prize
- Deadline: March 31st, 2025
- 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.
23. National Potato Council Scholarship
- Deadline: TBA (Application window opens April 2025)
- 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!
24. Duck Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship
- Deadline: Be on the lookout in Spring 2025
- 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 2024 – 2025 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 necessarily have to wear your creations 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!
25. National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships
- Deadline: Around March 15th, 2025 (TBA)
- 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!
26. Superpower Scholarship
- Deadline: March 31st, 2025
- Award: $2,500
- Who Can Apply? U.S. students age 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!
27. Boom & Bucket’s Scholarship
- Deadline: March 31, 2025
- 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. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
- Deadline: April 1st, 2025
- 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.
29. Worthy Women’s Scholarship
- Deadline: April 1st, 2025
- Award: $1,000 – $2,500
- Who Can Apply? Women students age 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.
30. The Redhead Scholarship
- Deadline: April 4, 2025
- 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 rarest people on the planet, and one of the obscure scholarships they can apply for 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.
31. Asparagus Club Scholarship
- Deadline: April 15th, 2025
- Award: Scholarships start at $1,000
- Who Can Apply? Full-time enrolled rising college freshman through postgraduate 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. The scholarship application window opens on January 15, 2025.
32. The Cover Letter Mastery Scholarship
- Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Award: $750
- Who Can Apply? High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA
- Details & How to Apply: Career Toolbelt’s The Cover Letter Mastery Scholarship
Can you write a stellar cover letter? If so, consider applying for this scholarship that awards $750 to a student who demonstrates creativity, critical thinking, passion, and excellence in crafting a job-winning cover letter. You’ll also need to submit a letter of recommendation, your transcript, and a real job posting that was the inspiration for your letter. The winner can use the prize toward tuition, books, or other education-related expenses.
33. All About Education Scholarship
- Deadline: April 30th, 2025
- Award: $3,000
- Who Can Apply? U.S. residents ages 14 and up
- Details & How to Apply: All About Education Scholarship
If you like random scholarships, try this one! All you have to do is write how $3,000 would make a difference and ease the stress of college tuition in 250 words or less.
34. Crossword Hobbyist Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated May 2025 (TBA)
- 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!
35. Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) Sony Pictures Scholarship
- Deadline: May 31, 2025
- 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.
36. Fifth Month Scholarship
- Deadline: May 31st, 2025
- 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!
37. Allied Health Scholarships
- Deadline: Anticipated June 2025 & November 2025 (Both TBA)
- 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.
38. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
- Deadline: June 9th, 2025
- Award: Up to $1,000
- 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, “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.
39. GoFoodservice Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated June 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
40. CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students
- Deadline: Anticipated June 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
41. BMTX Annual Financial Empowerment Scholarship
- Deadline: July 11th, 2025
- Award: $1,500
- 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 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.
42. Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- Deadline: July 31st, 2025
- 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?”
43. Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarship
- Deadline: August 15, 2025
- 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! Submissions for 2025 will be accepted starting on March 1st.
44. Clubs of America Scholarship
- Deadline: August 31st, 2025
- 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!
45. AFSA 2nd Chance College Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated August 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
46. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated August 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
47. Make Me Laugh Scholarship
- Deadline: August 31, 2025
- 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!
48. Shout It Out Scholarship
- Deadline: September 30th, 2025
- 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!
49. Digital Responsibility Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
- Deadline: September 30th, 2025
- Award: $1,000
- 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.
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.
50. Association For Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) Steel Premier Intern Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated October 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
51. Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
- Deadline: October 31st, 2025
- Award: $2,000
- Who Can Apply? Ages U.S.residents ages 14 and up
- Details & How to Apply: 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.
52. Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated October 2025 (TBA)
- 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 most helpful and unusual scholarships available to you!
53. CME Beef Industry Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated November 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
54. The Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship
- Deadline: November 1, 2025
- Award: $1,000
- Who Can Apply? Full-time college students who are pet guardians
- Details & How to Apply: Waggle Human-Pet Bond Scholarship
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 pet’s veterinary needs, apply by writing a 400-600 word essay outlining steps pet owners can take to prepare for emergency vet needs and thus prevent the surrender or euthanization of a pet due to financial limitations. Applications for 2025 are now open!
55. The UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship
- Deadline: December 1, 2025 (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 2026.
56. Francis Ouimet Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated December 2025 (TBA)
- 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.
57. Alice W. Rooke Scholarship
- 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.
58. Imagine America Foundation Scholarship for Adults
- Deadline: Varies, but applications are open now.
- Award: $1,000
- 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.
59. The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship
- Deadline: Varies
- 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. Contact EWI for more information.
60. James Allen Cox Foundation Student Photojournalists Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated November 2025 (TBA)
- Award: $2,500 (6 winners) + Digital SLR Cameras (5 winners)
- Who Can Apply? College and graduate students
- Details & How to Apply: James Allen Cox Foundation Student Photojournalists Scholarship
If you’re studying photojournalism, this random 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.
61. AACT John Kitt Memorial Scholarship for Candy Technologists
- Deadline: Anticipated May 2025 (TBA)
- 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 a demonstrated interest in confectionary technology.
62. STARFLEET Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated June 2025 (TBA)
- 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!
63. Arizona Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarship
- Deadline: Anticipated November 2025 (TBA)
- Award: Varies
- 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.
64. 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!
65. Appily
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!
66. Adobe Creative Scholarships
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!
67. 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 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.
Already a college student? Take advantage of over 100 college freebies and discounts!
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.
Thanks!!
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)
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?
It varies. Some smaller local scholarships will sometimes pay the student directly. Larger scholarships will usually get held and sent directly to the school of your choice after enrollment.
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! 🤞❤️