I'm beginning to research college scholarships, but most of them seem to be academic or heavily GPA-based. I'm curious about non-academic scholarship opportunities that exist for high school students like me. Are there scholarships that focus more on extracurricular activities, community service, or unique talents? If anyone has tips on where to find these kinds of scholarships or personal experiences to share, I'd appreciate it. Or, if there are specific non-academic scholarships you know of, I'd love to hear about those too!
Non-academic scholarships can come from a variety of sources and often cater to a wide range of talents and interests. As a high school student searching for scholarships, you can employ several strategies.
1. Community Organizations: Oftentimes, local organizations like Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, and others offer scholarships that prioritize community service and leadership. Check their websites or get in touch with them for information.
2. Unique Talents and Interests: Several scholarships reward unique talents and interests. For example, the Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest offers college scholarships for students who create and wear prom attire made of duct tape. The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship gives you a chance to share your plan for surviving a zombie apocalypse and offers a scholarship for the most creative response.
3. Extracurricular and Leadership Focus: Various organizations offer scholarships that prioritize involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities. For example, the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA offer scholarships to their members.
4. Company Sponsored Scholarships: Companies also sponsor scholarships as part of their corporate social responsibility. For example, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program offers scholarships to students who demonstrate leadership and service.
5. A Note on Appily: A well-known resource for finding scholarships is Appily. You can filter your search to include non-academic scholarships and focus more on other personal attributes.
In all your scholarship applications, be sure to showcase your passion and dedication, as this can set you apart from other applicants. Good luck in your search for scholarships!
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