Any tips on finding rare scholarships?

I'm on the hunt for scholarships as a high school junior and have heard that rare scholarships might be worth looking into. These are the ones with unique criteria or fewer applicants. Does anyone have advice on how to identify and apply for these rare scholarships? Are there any resources or websites you would recommend for finding them? Any help would be appreciated as I'm trying to keep my college costs as low as possible!

One approach to identifying rare scholarships is to think about your individual skills, hobbies, background, and attributes. Companies and organizations often create scholarships for students with specific characteristics, interests, or accomplishments. For example, scholarships are offered for everything from being left-handed, being a twin, to excelling in duck calling.

First, start with what makes you unique. Do you have a unique talent, hobby, or interest? Are you part of a unique demographic group such as military families, first-generation college students, or specific minority groups? There might be scholarships for just about every unique factor you can think of.

Next, consider local organizations. Look around your community for scholarships offered by local businesses, nonprofits, clubs, and religious organizations. These types of scholarships tend to have fewer applicants, giving you a better chance of being selected. Reach out to their offices or check their websites for scholarship information.

Lastly, use scholarship search tools, like Appily or Chegg, to find scholarships based on various criteria. Just be sure to set the filter to your specific interests, background, and more. These sites have massive databases that can help you find lesser-known scholarships that are a good fit for you.

As for applying, always follow the application instructions closely. And remember, the same essential tips for applying to any scholarship still apply: ensure that your application is complete, be authentic, thoughtful, and transparent in your essays, and always submit on time.

While these scholarships may represent smaller sums than some of the more common ones, every little bit helps when it comes to paying for college. Happy scholarship hunting!