Bizarre, Creative, and Unusual Scholarships

Scholarships aren’t only for those with outstanding grades or athletic skills. There is an array of unique and unusual scholarships that give students the opportunity to hone in on their creativity. Similar to traditional scholarships, these weird scholarships have rules and requirements. It’s their criteria that set them apart! Read on to discover some of the wacky ways you could pay for school.

Creative Scholarships

Have you always had a knack for arts and crafts? Would you rather design or build something than buy it in the store? Yes? Then you might enjoy applying your creative talents to one of the following scholarships.

Duck Brand Duct Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship Contest

High school students across the country dress up in duct tape for prom for this scholarship contest. Designers of the duct tape tuxes and gowns with the best workmanship, originality, and use of colors and accessories are awarded anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

If you’re up for this unique feat of fashion design, you’ll need to meet the scholarship requirements by May 31, 2017. Only U.S. or Canadian citizens aged 14 or older are eligible.

10th Annual Create-A-Greeting Card Contest

Nothing is as thoughtful as a homemade birthday or Christmas card. The Gallery Collection must agree because it publishes the cards of the winners of its annual greeting card contest. Draw, design, or photograph the artwork for a greeting card for your chance at winning $10,000.

Check with the organization for the deadline date. You must be 14 or older and enrolled in high school, college, home school, or a university.

The National Make It With Wool Scholarship Competition

This is another fashion design challenge, only this time with wool. Submit a photo of yourself in your wooly creation to take part in the National Competition.

Award amounts vary and the deadlines are continuous. You must be 13 or older to participate.

Weld-to-Win Full Tuition Scholarship

Young, aspiring welders can compete for a chance to turn their passion into a career in Tulsa Welding School’s Weld-to-Win scholarship competition.

Competitions are held at TWS’ campuses in Houston, TX (upcoming deadline: March 27, 2017), Tulsa, OK, and Jacksonville, FL. Only high school seniors are eligible to compete.

Bizarre Scholarships

Unlike creative scholarships, these weird scholarships don’t require you to demonstrate a specific talent or skill.

Is Your ‘Stache Worth the Cash?

Could you dream up an easier way to win $12,000, $10,000, or $8,000 than posing for a photo with a “milk mustache”? Yep, that’s all you have to do for a chance at this weird scholarship.

Arizona Milk Producers only consider submissions from legal Arizona residents who are 17 or older and enrolled (or will be) in a college, university, or community college.

Make Me Laugh Scholarship

Calling class clowns! Jot down a real or fictional funny story about your life in 250 words or less and you could win $1,500.

The deadline is August 31, 2017. You must be 13 years or older, a legal U.S. resident, and enrolled in college, university, or trade school.

American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship

When it comes to odd scholarships, this one isn’t that strange. The main requirement is to learn about safety. All you have to do is read an educational essay about fire sprinklers and take a short open-book test. In return, you could pocket $2,000 for college.

High school seniors must meet the deadline requirements by April 7, 2017.

Unusual Scholarships

While the criteria for these unique scholarships are not that crazy, they aren’t quite traditional either.

Welder Training Scholarship

Welding school may be more affordable than college, but it’s not free. Students who are already enrolled in a welding training program can submit an application any time throughout the year for an opportunity to win $1,000.

Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest

With awards ranging from $500 to $2,000 for simply quacking, this scholarship certainly isn’t for the birds.

High school seniors have until November 24, 2017 to meet the scholarship requirements.

The Second Chance College Scholarship Contest

Winning this scholarship is a matter of probability. A computer-generated drawing determines who will receive the $1,000 award.

If you have a high school diploma or equivalent, are enrolled in college for spring 2018, and maintain U.S. citizenship, you’ll need to meet the requirements by August 30, 2017.

Follow Your Dreams

If all that stands between you and your ideal career is paying for a diploma or degree, then scholarships can help bring you closer to your dream. Fortunately, you can have some fun and express yourself when applying for these bizarre, creative, and weird scholarships.