What Are Some of the Weirdest Scholarships Out There?

While researching ways to fund my college education, I stumbled across some pretty odd scholarships. It got me thinking, what are some of the weirdest scholarships out there? I've heard of ones for left-handed students or for making a duct tape prom outfit. Are these for real? If you've come across any unusual scholarships or have even applied to one, I'd love to hear about it just for fun - and who knows, maybe I'll apply too!

You've certainly stumbled upon some interesting ones! Yes, there are some unique scholarship opportunities out there and often, they don't attract as many applicants as the more traditional ones so your chances of winning one could be higher.

Let's take a look at a few:

1. The Stuck at Prom scholarship contest is actually quite popular. Duck Brand hosts this contest and offers up to $10,000 in scholarship money for the best prom attire made entirely out of their duct tape. They judge the competitors based on a series of criteria including originality, workmanship, use of duct tape, and accessories.

2. Parapsychology Foundation's Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship, and it's awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are studying parapsychology, the scientific study of paranormal or psychic phenomena (e.g., telepathy, near-death experiences).

3. For students with a knack for communicating with the deceased, there is the Horror Writers Association (HWA) scholarship. It is meant for students interested in writing horror or dark fantasy fiction. The application requires a writing sample along with details about the applicant's interest in the genre.

4. The Zolp Scholarship is an endowed scholarship available to students at Loyola University of Chicago who have the surname Zolp and are Catholic. The scholarship can cover anywhere from partial to full tuition depending on the applicant numbers in any given year.

5. The Starfleet Academy Scholarship, funded by the International Star Trek Fan Association, is a fun one. It's for fans of Star Trek who are part of the association, and it offers several scholarships covering different fields of study.

6. Have a passion for the art of being a clown? Then the American Clown Academy could be for you! They offer a scholarship for students dedicated to the profession of clowning.

While these might sound unconventional or even amusing, they are all legitimate chances to secure additional funding for college. If you fit the criteria or have the required interests, there's no harm in applying. Best of luck!