Are there any scholarships nobody applies for in 2023?

I’ve been hearing a lot about scholarships that supposedly no one applies for, and I’m wondering if this is actually true. I'm a junior and starting to look for ways to pay for college, so finding an under-the-radar scholarship could be super helpful. Does anyone have any leads or suggestions for where to find these elusive scholarships? I've tried searching online but mostly find the usual big-name ones that seem super competitive. If anyone knows of specific scholarships for 2023 that are a bit off the beaten path, I'd really appreciate any info or personal experiences!

Applying for less competitive scholarships is indeed a good strategy. While there isn't a sure-fire way to find scholarships that no one applies for, as competition varies year by year and by region, there are lesser-known scholarships out there. They might require specific criteria or an essay on a unique topic which potentially deters some students from applying.

Here's a way to go about your search: Look for scholarships that are highly specific in their eligibility criteria. These will have a smaller pool of applicants to compete with.

For an example, Zinch's Weekly "Three Sentence Essay" Scholarship is an offbeat scholarship where students have to write a two to three single sentence essay to win $1,000. The short length might deter students who are used to more traditional essay awards, making it potentially less competitive.

Another option could be the "Flavor of the Month" scholarship by Unigo, which requires participants to write a short essay (no more than 250 words) about which ice cream flavor they would be and why. It's fun and a bit quirky, and it awards $1,500 to the winner.

Often, local or regional scholarships tend to be less competitive compared to national ones, so check with local organizations, businesses, and community foundations for scholarship opportunities. The requirements and deadlines will vary, but these could be great avenues to check out since the applicant pool will likely be smaller.

Another type of scholarship to watch for are ones related to your own very specific circumstances or talents. For example, are you an accomplished duck caller? You might want to consider the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest, which awards up to $2000 for the best duck callers in the country.

Lastly, using college scholarship search apps like Appily, can help efficiently filter out scholarships based on your specific criteria and circumstances. This can be an effective way to find lesser-known scholarships that you may have overlooked in a broader search.

Remember, every little bit counts when putting together the finances for college. So even if a scholarship doesn't seem particularly big or prestigious, don't underestimate the value it could add to your college funding plan.