How Can I Find Scholarships No One Applies For?

I'm a high school junior starting to look into scholarships for college, and I’ve heard there are scholarships that hardly anyone applies for. I'm trying to increase my chances of securing some financial aid, so finding those lesser-known scholarships sounds like a great idea.

Does anyone have tips on where to start looking for these types of scholarships, or examples of ones that are often overlooked? Are there particular resources or websites that specialize in listing less competitive scholarships? Any advice would be super appreciated as I start navigating through this process.

Sure, I can definitely provide some tips. To find scholarships that are less known or less competitive, you'll want to:

1. Check Out Local Scholarships: Often local businesses, organizations and community-based clubs offer scholarships, but these don't tend to be advertised as broadly as the larger national scholarships. Reach out to guidance counselors, teachers, or local organizations in your area to find out about these opportunities.

2. Apply for Smaller-Payout Scholarships: Scholarships with smaller awards tend to attract fewer applicants because everyone wants the big money. But remember, small awards add up!

3. Look for Niche Scholarships: These are scholarships reserved for students who meet specific criteria, whether it's a particular major, hobby, or even a unique personal trait. For instance, there are scholarships for left-handed students, for vegetarians, for beekeepers, and so forth.

4. Use Scholarship Search Engines: Use scholarship search engines—such as Fastweb, the College Board's Scholarship Search, Scholarship.com, and Appily—that compile a variety of scholarships and can help you find ones that might not get as much attention.

5. Don’t Ignore Less Popular Fields: Scholarships related to less popular courses or fields of study likely have fewer applicants. If you’re considering a major or career in a field that’s not as common, you could utilize this to your advantage.

When it comes to examples of overlooked scholarships, again, it's hard for me to give specific scholarships without knowing your exact interests and situation. But to give an example, Ayn Rand Essay Contests are relatively less competitive, rewarding up to $10,000 for essays on her novels. Also, there are scholarships like the “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship Contest which rewards students for creating prom attire out of duct tape.

Remember to start your scholarship search early and apply for a mix of both well-known and lesser-known scholarships. Best of luck in your search!