Crazy Scholarships

Chances are you found this article because you’re getting a little desperate for financial aid. That’s okay though. You’re far from alone. The truth is that most students nowadays cross their fingers that some crazy scholarships will just show up in their school accounts one day, but that day never comes. At least you’re taking the initiative to find crazy scholarships you can use to pay for school. That’s a start. Hopefully the information below will help you turn that start into a success.

Which Scholarships Are Considered “Crazy?”

Crazy scholarships are just as hard to define as they are to receive. This category of financial aid covers any form of financial support that comes from an out-of-the-ordinary scholarship program. Standard scholarship programs require an essay about what a student could do with a college education or an application proving one’s financial need. Weird scholarships, on the other hand, may only require a person to be overweight to win an award. These are meant for students who are wrong in all the right ways and whose talents may not be recognized up until now. If you have a quirky trait or hobby, there is probably a crazy scholarship out there for you.

Popular Crazy Scholarships

The crazy scholarships listed below may not be available for everyone, but they are certainly interesting to read about. You never know if you may qualify for one until you look up information about it, so read on to see if your wacky talents may land you some extra cash for school.

• Dannie Jasmine Mule Deer Scholarship: Before all you mule deer hunters start freaking out about this scholarship program, you need to know that it is only available for students in Nevada. The mule deer is native to this area, and the scholarship in question is issued to students who have a history in hunting and conservationism. To apply, you must be a student at the Reno branch of the University of Nevada. The award amount is $500, and the amount of awards given out varies by year. If you happen to fit into this specific category of people, this could be a great education booster for you.
• J.D. Salinger Award: J.D. Salinger is best known for writing The Catcher in the Rye, and this award is available in honor of his accomplishments. The value of the award is an amazing $30,000 a year, but it is only available for students at Ursinus College (the school that Salinger graduated from). One lucky student receives this award a year after winning a creative writing contest hosted by the school. That student then gets to live the school year in Salinger’s actual dorm room in college. Even though the availability of this scholarship is limited, the award to come from it is certainly something to talk about.
• American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program: This may be one of the easiest and craziest scholarships around. Every year, the AFSA issues 10 scholarships valued at $2,000 a piece to students who complete a short quiz about fire safety online. That may seem fantastic in and of itself, but what makes this scholarship even better is that it is open book. You can use an essay from the AFSA to answer the quiz questions, and all the answers are written in the materials. You must be a high school student to qualify for one of these awards, but you do not have to meet many other requirements to apply.
• Chick and Sophie Major Duck Calling Contest: Quack quack! Am I speaking your language? If so, you may be interested in the Chick and Sophie Major Duck Calling Contest. This scholarship is issued to Arkansas high school students with a talent for duck calling. First place winners receive $2,000, second place winners receive $1,000, third place winners receive $750, and fourth place finishers receive $500. The scholarship contest is only offered to students planning to attend specific colleges in the state of Arkansas, so check the link above to determine if you would qualify for this feather friendly award.

Tips for Finding Crazy Scholarships

Finding crazy scholarships can be a challenge, depending on what unique talents you have to offer. Start your search by thinking about the qualities that make you stand out from the run-of-the-mill members of academia. If you think of a few traits that make you unique, try to find organizations for people with those same traits. Those organizations are usually the ones that offer the crazy scholarships you may be looking for.

Whether you need to make a duct tape prom dress to win an award or you just need to be below four feet tall, you can find crazy scholarships out there for almost anything. You have no reason to make excuses about not going to college when the opportunities to succeed are all laid out in front of you. Join the rest of the underdogs in the world just trying to pay for an education; apply for a crazy scholarship today.

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