Interesting Scholarships That You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Many high school students who dream of going to college look to scholarships to help them make that dream a reality. If you don’t wish to take out student loans or you’re concerned about whether your aid package will be enough, scholarships can help you close the financial gap so you can attend the college of your dreams.

Still, you may have realized in your scholarship search that these opportunities are highly competitive. Many scholarships require students to have high GPAs and test scores to even have a chance at winning. Others base their selection on a student’s financial background, awarding money only to those who can demonstrate a need for it.

However, it’s important to recognize that not all scholarships for college students are based on academic achievement or finances. In fact, some have quite peculiar selection criteria. This makes them worth checking out for students with varied interests or those who want to try something different. 

Unique Scholarships 

Here are five unique scholarship opportunities you might want to watch when planning for college.

• Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship Contest

Are you an artist who has spent your life dreaming of creating something that will reach the masses? If so, the Create-A-Greeting Card Scholarship is one you should look into. This contest is open to high school and college students who are at least 14 years of age. This is great news, as no GPA or financial hardship requirements exist.

To enter the contest, you need only submit an original photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a Christmas, holiday, birthday, or all-occasion greeting card. The award for the winner is $10,000, which can go a long way toward college expenses.

• The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Are you a vegetarian who has seen the benefits of this lifestyle and wants to promote it to others? If this sounds like it applies to you, the Vegetarian Resource Group wants to help you get to college so you can spread the word even further. 

Each year, this organization provides four $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship to high school students who promote vegetarianism (staying away from meat, fish, and fowl) in their schools or communities. 

There are no academic requirements for this scholarship. Instead, the organization bases its selection on who has shown the most passion for and commitment to the vegetarian lifestyle.

• Duck Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship

If you’re really into fashion — or duct tape — then the Duck Brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship is for you. To enter this contest, you must be bold and daring enough to make your prom dress or tuxedo out of Duck Brand duct or crafting tape and wear it to the event. Of course, you’ll need a high-resolution picture to prove it, or it will be like it never happened.

Once the deadline has been reached, people worldwide can vote for their favorites online. The winner in each category will receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Four runners-up in each category will win a cash scholarship in the amount of $500 and a prize pack from Duck Brand worth $100.

• Women Divers Hall of Fame Scholarships

This opportunity is for those searching for scholarships for women. The Women Divers Hall of Fame exists to acknowledge and celebrate females' contributions to the unique sport of diving. Because the organization wants these contributions to continue, it provides scholarships and grants to women pursuing careers related to the sport. 

However, this doesn’t mean you have to become an Olympic diver. These scholarships for women are awarded to those going after many different underwater-related careers, such as marine biology, sea turtle conservation, and even underwater archeology, education, or photography.

Awards may total between $500 and $5,000, depending on your application opportunity. In 2023, the organization awarded 46 scholarships totaling more than $68,000.

• The Rover College Scholarship

Did you grow up with a beloved pet in your life? If so, you can win money for college just for writing an essay about it. Writing 500 words about how your pet impacted your life can win you $2,500 worth of scholarships from Rover. 

All you need to do is write your essay in a Google Doc with your name and year of college at the top. If you’re a high school senior, make sure to indicate that. You need a 3.0 GPA to qualify, but the content of your essay is most important for scholarship selection.

Unique Scholarships Open Up a World of Opportunity

College-bound students of all levels, backgrounds, and interests deserve to have the ability to pursue an education. Though many of the most unique scholarships for college students have fun — and sometimes downright silly — entry requirements, it’s important to remember that they also open up pathways of opportunity for students of all types.

No matter where you find yourself in academic achievement, financial ability, or personal interests, there’s likely a scholarship opportunity out there that’s just right for you. Use this list as a way to get started on making your higher education dreams come true.