Tips for finding obscure college scholarships?

Aside from the well-known scholarships, I'm curious about more obscure scholarships that might help fund my college education. Have you encountered any unusual or lesser-known scholarships that are worth applying for?

It's a great approach to not only rely on well-known scholarships but also seek out lesser-known ones. In many cases, these smaller, more obscure scholarships may have fewer applicants, and therefore less competition.

1. Local Scholarships: These often fly under the radar. Check with community organizations, local businesses, and your high school counseling office. Some Forbes 500 Companies also sponsor local scholarships not widely publicized.

2. Industry-Specific Scholarships: Scholarships based on your intended major or career path can be another excellent source. Professional associations often offer scholarships to encourage students to enter their field.

3. Identity-Based Scholarships: Many scholarships target specific demographics. These could be based on your ethnicity, gender, religion, or other identity factors. Also, there’s a growing number of scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.

4. Hobby-Based Scholarships: Scholarships can relate to a particular interest you have, such as a scholarship for knitters or gamers. For instance, the Duck brand offers a scholarship for the best prom dress made out of duct tape!

5. College-specific Scholarships: Make sure to explore scholarships specific to the colleges you are applying to. Many of these are merit-based and require additional applications or essays.

Remember, scholarships can seem like a lot of work for potentially little return, but even small scholarships can add up. You can also use an organized approach to make your scholarship search more manageable. Create a spreadsheet with due dates, requirements, and links to stay on top of your applications. Utilize schools' financial aid offices and your high school guidance counselors to help guide your search.