20 Of The Most Bizarre Scholarships Offered

There are a lot of weird scholarships available for the taking today. Although some of these are just as selective as more traditional scholarships, others are easy to qualify for. The people offering these scholarships definitely aren’t mainstream. So, if you have a unique trait about yourself, then why not get some recognition and college funding for it? You’ll never know what it’s worth until you take a look at them and maybe even apply.

Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

With all the media attention surrounding zombies in recent years, it should come as no surprise that there’s a scholarship available for anyone who can devise a way to hide from them. This is worth $2,000.

Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship

College students studying parapsychology (e.g. telepathy, reincarnation, near-death experiences) are eligible for this $3,000 scholarship.

Beans For Brains Scholarship

If your grandmother knits or crochets, you may receive one of six $3,200 scholarship thanks to the Jimmy Beans Wool Store. These are available to U.S. or international college students who enjoy knitting as a hobby.

ITSA Graduate Student Scholarship

This $2,000 scholarship from the International Thermal Spray Association is for those pursuing a degree in thermal spray processing.

Wholesale Halloween Costumes Scholarship

This fun, unusual scholarship changes each month, ranging from taking pictures of the Easter Bunny to writing an essay about the monster that’s living under your bed. The winning entry receives $500.

National DHIA Scholarship Program

This scholarship is for anyone who is passionate about cows. To qualify, you or your family must be an employee of a herd on a DHI (Dairy Herd Improvement) test or belong to a DHI affiliate. They award over twenty $750 scholarships each year.

Fifth Month Scholarship

Students aged 13 or older are asked to write a letter to the number 5. You’ll either need a good imagination or a great sense of humor to receive the $1,500 worth of scholarship money here.

NACIS Student Web Mapping Competition Award

Students are still learning to make maps. If you’ve either completed or enrolled in a cartography course, the North American Cartographic Information Society offers two $500 scholarships.

Young Scholars Prize in Romani Studies

Anyone who’s fascinated by the gypsy lifestyle can submit an essay for it and win $500 for college.

Flavor of the Month Scholarship

This scholarship wants to know what flavor of ice cream best describes your personality. If they choose your essay, you’ll receive a $1,500 scholarship.

AACT National Candy Technologists John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a college sophomore, junior or senior majoring in food science, chemical science, biological science or a related area and you also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, this scholarship is for you.

National Potato Council Scholarship

Are you an agribusiness student? If you have good grades, leadership abilities and you’re also doing your graduate studies in potato-related areas of work, the scholarship is available for you to apply for.

Klingon Scholarship

The Klingon Language Institute awards $500 to students pursuing degrees in language study.

Federal Junior Duck Stamp Scholarship

Anyone who’s artistic and still in kindergarten through twelfth grade can send their artwork to their state or local department. If you win first place, you’ll have your art made into the next Federal Junior Duck Stamp, win $5,000 and travel with your parent to the next First Day of Sale event for your stamp. Come in second place and you’ll win $3,000 and in third place you’ll receive $2,000. There’s also a $500 prize awarded for the best conservation message.

Scholarship for Redheads

Here’s a unique scholarship meant only for those who have natural red hair. Simply write an essay, make a drawing or create a video about “What it means to be a redhead” and you can win a $500 scholarship.

Vacuum Coaters Foundation Scholarships

Vacuum coating is one of those unknown career choices. It’s the process of applying UV-curable coatings to items made of plastic, wood, metals and composites. The Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation offers scholarships to those who want to pursue this type of career based upon their major’s relevancy, merit and financial need.

All Manner of Llama Scholarships

The Texas Navarro County Youth Expo and the Michigan Llama Association offer students $1,000 scholarship awards based on llama showmanship, obstacle and public relations during the competition.

Vegetarian Scholarship

The Vegetarian Resource Group offers a $5,000 scholarshp to vegetarians based on the essay you compose about their questions (e.g. “Why vegetarianism is important to you,” “What restaurants you would recommend to a non-vegetarian” and “How would you promote vegetarianism in your high school and/or community”). They also offer a Vegetarian Video Scholarship.

Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest

Young peanut butter fans can attend Jif’s Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. Simply think up unique recipes for a decadent peanut butter sandwich (P-Nutty BBQ Chicken Quesadilla, Po’ Boy Peanut Butter Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich, a Peanutty Wrapple Roll with Maple Dipping Sauce) and you could win the $25,000 college fund that they offer. Runners-up receive $2,500 for college and a Jif gift basket.

Starfleet Scholarships

Ten students who have been members of the Starfleet Star Trek Fan Association for at least one year receive $500 in scholarship money.