Scholarships aren’t just for the smartest kids in the school. It’s encouraging to see companies, non-profit organizations, and other groups awarding cash for college to students who are something other than the best in their class, an excellent test-taker, or the standout athlete.
In fact, some scholarships allow students to have fun, demonstrate their creativity, let others see their passion for a hobby or cause, and even show off their silly side.
Here are a handful of the more unusual scholarships available for students. And don’t worry — there are plenty of other odd scholarships around, which are promoted online and maybe even in your local town.
Stuck at Prom
Design your and your date’s prom outfit out of duck tape and you could win real money for school in Duck Brand’s Stuck at Prom® Scholarship Contest. The top prize is $5,000 each, but money also is given to first place, second place and seven runners up couples. This remains one of my favorite scholarship contests; I know some elementary school students who already are making amazing purses, clothing and more out of Duck Tape.
Beans for Brains
Calling all crafty students! This scholarship is given to five students who stand out by having the best knitting, crocheting, and/or sewing projects (you will need to submit photos of the items). So show off your creative handiwork — each student gets $2,250 for school.
United States Bowling Congress SMART Program
Throw a strike to get on path to college with the U.S. Bowling Congress SMART Program. Each year, it awards more than $6 million in scholarship money through certified tournaments, bowling associations and councils, and bowling alleys.
Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Being a vegetarian may make you stand out in your school and be able to keep paying for vegetarian meals in college. The Vegetarian Resource Group, based in Baltimore, awards two $5,000 scholarships for “graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities,” according to its website. It’s not looking for how many people became vegetarians from your efforts, but wants to reward students who are committed to the vegetarian diet and have shown compassion and courage in promoting the vegetarian lifestyle.
American Association of Candy Technologists Scholarship
Oh, if only a scholarship was awarded to the student who could eat the most candy without getting sick! Instead, this organization, in what they call the “sweet-snacking industry,” presents a John Kitt Memorial Scholarship for students who have done work, research, or studied confectionary technology or the process of candy making. You’ll get $5,000, and it’s best to be majoring in food science, chemical science, or biological science.
Read more about “Wacky Scholarships” now.