What's the deal with scholarships that nobody applies for?

I've heard there are scholarships out there that don't receive many applicants, so the chances of winning are higher. Does anyone know of legitimate scholarships that fit this description? Are they generally for specific majors, backgrounds, or interests, or are they pretty broad? I'm looking for any examples or experiences you might have had in finding and applying for these types of scholarships. It seems like a great opportunity, but I'm not sure how to locate such scholarships.

Absolutely, there are certainly scholarships out there that don't have a large number of applicants. These smaller or lesser-known scholarships can sometimes be overlooked in favor of the bigger, national scholarships. One reason they're often overlooked is due to the specific eligibility criteria these scholarships often have.

Some of these scholarships may be tied to very specific criteria such as a student's intended major, familial background, geographic location, hobbies, or demonstrated interests. For example, there could be a scholarship specifically for students pursuing a degree in botany who are from a specific county or region.

Finding these scholarships can require a more detailed search, but resources like your high school guidance counselor or college financial aid office can be a good starting point. Additionally, scholarship databases like Fastweb and Cappex can be great tools to use because you can modify your search criteria to get very specific results.

Here's a practical tip: look for local scholarships provided by community organizations, small businesses, or local chapters of larger organizations as they typically receive fewer applicants.

Applying for these lesser-known scholarships can definitely be worth your time. Even though the amounts might be smaller, they can add up and significantly contribute to funding your education. Good luck in your search!