Weird Scholarships to Apply for in 2024

When you think of scholarships, you think of academics and extracurricular activities. We all know the type: perfect high school student with glowing teacher recommendations and the perfect 4.0 GPA to match. They're usually the ones getting scholarship funding, but in a world full of strange and unique people, more and more high school students are being given scholarship awards for strange and unique things, and Bold.org is here to tell you all about them.

In this Bold article, we will be going over what weird scholarships are, understanding them, what you need to qualify for one, and our list of some of the weirdest scholarships out there. While traditional scholarship awards cater to academic achievement and financial need, a weird scholarship aims to encourage students to showcase their unusual talents and get awarded for them. Luckily for you, there is room for everyone to get financial aid, even through the most unconventional scholarships.

Do you have a weird talent or quality that could get you financial assistance? Visit our Scholarship Blog today to find out how to apply for a weird scholarship!

What Is a Weird Scholarship?

While some traditional scholarships are given to students with perfect academic records and overachievements, others are given to specific niches like music, art, math, or STEM. But a weird scholarship can be given to applicants for anything under the sun. Some can even leave you thinking, "Is that even a real thing?" and we're here to tell you yes. Yes, it is.

A weird scholarship is just that: weird. It is a grant or payment made to support a student's education, awarded on the basis of anything strange, unusual, weird, odd, etc. It can even allow students with less stellar academic achievements to get funded for their educational program of choice, and we can't say we're mad about that.

It's important to know that though unique scholarships are given for nontraditional reasons, you still have to fall under certain guidelines in order to qualify for one. It would be too easy to simply get funded for being weird or having a unique talent. Only in a perfect world! We recommend doing some research on your targeted weird scholarship and getting familiar with their requirements before applying.

The Importance of Weird Scholarships

The idea that getting award money for perfect grades and a squeaky clean academic record almost seems unfair to those who work just as hard or those who simply want to continue their education but can't because they might not make the cut to attend college on an academic scholarship. That's why weird scholarships are important to high school seniors, undergraduate students, graduate students, and college students in general.

Weird scholarships are important because of the equal opportunity it provides students of all ages and academic levels. It used to be the traditional straight A student who got to attend college on a full-ride scholarship, but with unusual scholarships, all students are given a chance at academic funding, even grad students! It has even allowed late academic bloomers the chance at a higher education.

But more importantly, weird scholarships can give students who need financial assistance the chance at scholarship awards that can help put them through college. While it's hard to calculate specific award amounts, every penny counts. We know just how expensive college tuition can be, so it's safe to say there is nothing better than getting paid to go to school.

Another reason weird scholarships are important is because they can add fun to your academic journey. It can be discouraging for high school seniors to want to apply for college because they don't meet the academic requirements for a scholarship. And on the flip side, applying for traditional scholarships can even be boring for the straight A student because there is no challenge or element of excitement to the process. Weird scholarships put the 'fun' in funding, and here at Bold.org, we want all aspects of the educational journey to be exciting.

How To Apply For Weird Scholarships

We know applying for college scholarships can be overwhelming and exhausting. Even the search for financial aid can drag if you don't know where to start. And though it can be time-consuming, don't let it deter you from trying. So, don't worry. We are here to set you up with a step-by-step guide on how to make the unusual scholarship search and application process quick and easy.

1. Do Your Research - First things first, you want to start by doing your research on college scholarships early in your high school year. This doesn't mean search and apply. This just means to be one step ahead of the game and look to see what unique scholarships are out there. By doing so, you'll know scholarships have what requirements, deadlines, and how you can set yourself up for the school year. For example, if some weird scholarships have a minimum GPA requirement, it can encourage you to aim for the minimum GPA or even higher. Doing your research is the first step, and it can only help you get ahead with college admissions.
2. Find Your Lane - There are an abundance of scholarship opportunities available to high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students, so you want to pick an unusual scholarship and stick to it. Though there is no limit to the kind of unique scholarship you can qualify for, it's important to start with one and prepare yourself to meet their specific requirements. This can keep you on top of your academic goals and organized for deadlines.
3. Build A Scholarship Strategy - Now that you've done your research and found your lane, you can start strategizing. This means setting yourself up for success. Ask yourself how many scholarships are available. How many scholarship awards do you want to apply for? Do you meet their requirements? What are your deadlines? We recommend making a to-do list and checking off your goals one by one. Organization is key for strategy.
4. Write A Stellar Essay - Writing essays isn't always easy, and writing an admissions essay can be even more challenging, but knowing what to expect can help. Check out our article on essay examples to get an idea of what a good college admissions essay looks like and what you should aim for.
5. Apply, Apply, Apply! - Applying for weird scholarships is only half the battle. Sometimes, waiting for a response can be the most time-consuming of the process, but don't let it discourage you. Keep applying. The worst a scholarship fund can do is say no, and even then, you should keep applying because we believe there is a scholarship out there for everyone, especially you.

List of Weird Scholarships

Now that we've gone over everything you need to know about weird scholarships and how to apply for them check out our list of weird scholarships available to you (in no particular order):

• The Empowering Motherhood Scholarship
• The Tall Clubs International Scholarship
• The Crossword Maker Scholarship
• Beans for Brains Scholarship
• The Courageous Spirit Scholarship
• Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
• The Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program Scholarship
• Create a Greeting Card Scholarship Contest
• The LGBTQ+ Wellness in Action Scholarship
• Minecraft Scholarship
• Evan Scholars Program
• The Scholarship for RedHeads
• The Left-Handed Scholarship
• The Niche Scholarship
• Superpower Scholarship
• Flavor of The Month Scholarship
• The Michael Jackson Scholarship
• The Bros for Good Scholarship
• The Chuck Allen Snowboard Scholarship Award
• The National Potato Council Scholarship
• Writers of The Future Scholarship
• The Be Bold Scholarship
• Foreclosure.com Scholarship
• STARFLEET Scholarship
• The Vegan Society Grants
• The Book Lovers Scholarship

And many more! To see our full list of scholarships, please visit our Scholarship page.

So, as you can see, there is an abundance of unusual scholarships to choose from. Whether you're in high school, an undergraduate student, or even a graduate student, the sky's the limit when it comes to readily available educational funds. All you have to do is get in tune with your weird, unique side and apply, apply, apply.

Frequently Asked Questions About Weird Scholarships

What are weird scholarships?

Well, to sum it all up, weird scholarships are grants or financial aid given to students for odd and unusual reasons. You can even win one through a scholarship contest. And did you know about the prom scholarship? I can name more weird scholarships, but check out our list in the article and get familiar with them yourself!

How many weird scholarships can I apply for at a time?

With the number of weird scholarships, there are available to high school students and college students. There is no limitation on how many you can apply for! Just make sure you fall within their specific requirements, you meet their deadlines, and you're good to go. So, don't limit yourself to the amount of scholarship awards you can receive. Aim high, and you may be able to get yourself a free college education through your choices of scholarships!

How do I know what weird scholarships are right for me?

So, you want to know what kind of weird you qualify for? Well, that completely depends on you! Luckily enough, there are weird scholarships available for even the most unlikeliest of things, like being left-handed. Yep, that's right. You can qualify for a scholarship by simply being left-handed or even ambidextrous! So, don't limit yourself. Do your research and find which unusual scholarship resonates best with you, and go from there. You'll never know if you don't try.

If you're looking for more information on scholarships, please visit our blog and learn how to apply for weird scholarships today.