If you need help paying for college, you’re not alone. Nearly two-thirds of college students utilize grants and scholarships to cover at least a portion of their tuition costs. With more than 18 million students enrolled in college, competition for well-known scholarships is fierce. This has forced many students to look for scholarships that have less competition.
Obscure Scholarships
Most people aren’t aware of obscure scholarships because they’re not advertised that much. While you may have to do a little digging to find them, you’ll have a greater chance of getting an award. Here are some examples:
- Tall Clubs International, Inc. Scholarship gifts multiple tall students with $1,000 each year.
- Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship offers students who are pursuing a career in parapsychology a $2,000 scholarship.
- Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants gives $500 to students who apply for multiple other scholarships.
- WJA Student Scholarship awards female-identifying students between $1,000 and $7,000 to study fine jewelry design or metalsmithing.
Local Scholarships
Local scholarships have less competition because applicants must live or attend school in a certain geographical area to qualify. Available scholarships vary and are dependent upon the community in which you live.
- John Gatling Scholarship awards $9,000 to $18,000 to students who plan to attend North Carolina State University. The catch? Their last name must be Gatlin or Gatling.
- Foundation Scholarships are established by local residents and businesses and are awarded to members of the community or graduates of select schools. For example, the Gahanna-Jefferson Education Foundation administers several scholarships in the Gahanna community.
- Faith-based scholarships are available through your local church or your church’s national chapter. Eligibility requirements and award amounts vary. For example, the Cannon Endowment Scholarship can be used to attend select universities. It awards $2,500 to seminary students to pursue a career as a military chaplain.
To find local scholarships, do some research in your area, and don’t forget to speak with your counselor and financial aid advisor. They can be a gold mine of scholarship information.
Interest-Based Scholarships
Do you have an interest or hobby? If so, you may qualify for an interest-based scholarship. When it comes to these types of scholarships, the opportunities are endless and often a lot of fun.
- Vegetarian Resource Group offers two $5,000 and one $10,000 scholarship to passionate vegetarians who promote vegetarianism in their schools.
- Male Chorus Association gifts scholarships to students pursuing a music degree. Awards range from $1,000 to $1,200.
- Alexia Foundation awards one full-time student with less than one year of professional photography experience a $1000 scholarship, with two $500 workshop finalists. Applicants must enter a photograph depicting world peace and cultural understanding.
Wacky Scholarships
If you love strange and unique opportunities, wacky scholarships may be your thing. And the best part? There’s a little something for everyone.
- Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation awards up to $2,500 to applicants who can answer a series of trivia questions.
- Stuck at Prom Scholarship hands out $5,000 scholarships to winners of a prom outfit contest. Applicants must accessorize their prom outfit with duct tape to enter.
- Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship gives $2,000 to students who have a sure-fire plan to stay safe from zombies.
Scholarships are like pie. There are only so many pieces to go around. The more people standing in line for a piece, the less likely you are to get some. Increase your odds by applying for scholarships with minimal competition, and for as many of them as you can find.
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