Scholarships for cloggers, daughters of the Confederacy, and vacuum coating technologists? They might sound too wacky to be true, but believe it or not, these scholarships are the real deal.
1 – Arabian Horse Foundation Scholarship
If you’re an Arabian horse enthusiast, chances are you already know about this scholarship offering. If not, maybe it’s time to get a horse! These college scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic ability, leadership, and – of course – equine involvement. Deadline: April 1
2 – American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship
I love this one. If you’re a high school senior, you’re eligible to win one of 10 $2,000 college scholarships from the American Fire Sprinkler Association. All you have to do is read an essay about automatic fire sprinklers and take a 10-question, open-book, multiple-choice, online test about what you read. For each question answered correctly, you receive one entry into the scholarship drawing. What have you got to lose?! Deadline: April 3
3 – United Daughters of the Confederacy Scholarship
Call me crazy, but I thought the Civil War ended in 1865. Or maybe the South will rise again through this scholarship program. In any event, students who can trace their lineage back to a Confederate soldier – almost 150 years after the war ended, mind you – may be eligible to snag a renewable scholarship worth $1,000 or more. Someone tell me if there’s a scholarship for Yankees, and I’ll be all over that. General deadline: April 15
I got excited when I found this one from ScholarshipExperts.com, thinking it was a scholarship for all of us May babies… but no. In fact, it’s a $1,500 scholarship that goes to one student each year who writes a letter to the number five, explaining why said number is so important. Ooh, can I write the letter from the perspective of “Sesame Street’s” Count von Count? Deadline: May 31
5 – Sheep Heritage Foundation Memorial Scholarship
I was not aware that sheep have a heritage, but I suppose that’s beside the point. If you’re pursuing sheep-related graduate studies (think animal science, agriculture economics, and veterinary medicine), you may be eligible for this $1,500 scholarship from the American Sheep Industry. Not baaaad. Deadline: June 1
6 – Star Trek Scholarships
Maybe I shouldn’t find it hard to believe that there are two Star Trek themed scholarships out there, but somehow I do. The $500 Kor Memorial Scholarship is awarded by theKlingon Language Institute to students in fields of language study – familiarity with Klingon not required. In addition, $1,000 scholarships are awarded by STARFLEET – the International Star Trek Fan Association – to active student members. Live long and prosper. Deadlines: June 1 and June 15, respectively
7 – America’s Clogging Hall of Fame Scholarship
For the uninitiated, America’s Clogging Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of old-time square dance and clogging. Each year, the organization awards four college scholarships to members at its national championships in October. Just submit your application – and clogging history – to be eligible for a toe-tapping good time!
8 – Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Another whacked-out scholarship from ScholarshipExperts.com, this one asks students to imagine that zombies have taken over their school, and then create a plan for survival. The best plan wins a $1,500 scholarship and a lifetime supply of garlic (oh wait, that only works on vampires…). Deadline: October 31
9 – Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest
Believe it or not, this contest has been around since 1974 and has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to young duck callers in that time. The first-place winner receives a $2,000 scholarship; second place gets $1,000; third place gets $750; and fourth place gets $500. The contest is open to any high school senior in the United States – you’ve just got to get yourself to the competition in Stuttgart, Arkansas! Contest date: November 29
10 – Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC) Foundation Scholarship
So apparently, vacuum coating is a real thing. Here’s what SVC says: “Vacuum coating processes use vacuum technology to create a sub-atmospheric pressure environment and an atomic or molecular condensable vapor source to deposit thin films and coatings.” Now that you’ve been schooled, go all out and study vacuum coating technology in college for your chance to win this $2,500 scholarship – and endless bragging rights about your vacuum coating prowess. Deadline: November 30