Embarking on the college journey can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety, especially when it comes to finances. Fortunately, there’s a treasure trove of unique scholarships out there, waiting to be discovered by students who stand out from the crowd—not just for their grades, but for their quirks, passions, and life stories. Here’s a closer look at five such scholarships, along with real-life success stories and tips that might just inspire you and your high schooler to dive into the world of scholarship applications.
1. The "Left-Handed" Scholarship
Juniata College’s Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship is one of the few in the world that considers your dominant hand in its criteria.
Practical Tip: Focus on how being left-handed has shaped your approach to solving problems or how it has influenced your creativity. Highlight any specific challenges you’ve overcome or advantages you’ve found in being left-handed.
Scholarship Amount: Historically, this scholarship has offered amounts around $1,000 to $1,500 to left-handed students attending Juniata College who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership qualities.
2. The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
The Scholarship: A unique opportunity for students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools or communities.
Application Insight: Document your journey to becoming a vegetarian and any initiatives or projects you’ve led to advocate for vegetarianism. Include any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as the impact of your efforts on your community.
Scholarship Amount: The Vegetarian Resource Group typically awards two scholarships annually: one for $10,000 and one or two additional scholarships for $5,000 each, to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities.
3. Tall Clubs International Student Scholarships
The Opportunity: Celebrates tall students by offering scholarships to young men over 6’2″ and women over 5’10”.
Actionable Advice: Write about how your height has been a defining feature in your life, focusing on positive narratives such as leadership opportunities in sports or overcoming social challenges. It’s not just about being tall; it’s about what you’ve done with your height.
Scholarship Amount: Tall Clubs International Foundation awards scholarships of $1,000 to students who meet the height requirements (women over 5’10” and men over 6’2″) and are under 21 years old at the time of application.
4. The Doodle for Google Scholarship
The Contest: A chance for artistically inclined students to showcase their creativity on a global platform.
Creative Process Tip: When designing your doodle, think about a story or message you want to convey. What does the theme mean to you personally? How does your doodle communicate your interpretation in a visually compelling way?
Scholarship Amount:The national winner of the Doodle for Google contest receives a $30,000 college scholarship, and their school also receives a $50,000 technology package. There are also state and territory winners who receive smaller scholarship amounts and tech packages for their schools.
5. The Flavor of the Month Scholarship
The Scholarship: Requires applicants to compare themselves to an ice cream flavor in a creative essay.
Writing Strategy: Choose a flavor that genuinely resonates with your personality or life experiences. Use vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes to create a memorable essay that goes beyond surface-level comparisons.
Scholarship Amount:Offered by Unigo, the Flavor of the Month Scholarship provides a $1,500 award for the winning essay that creatively compares the applicant to an ice cream flavor.
Crafting an Unforgettable Application
Remember, the key to a successful scholarship application is authenticity. Be genuine in your essays, and use your unique voice. Keep your applications organized, adhere to deadlines, and most importantly, don’t shy away from applying to scholarships that celebrate unique traits or talents.
Exploring these scholarships not only uncovers financial resources but also encourages students to reflect on their unique qualities and how they can be celebrated and rewarded. Start the search early, stay true to yourself in your applications, and embrace the opportunities that arise from being uniquely you.
Engage with Us: We’d love to hear about your scholarship search journey. Have you discovered any unusual scholarships? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
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