ScholarPoint Connect

The Weirdest & Wackiest Scholarships You’ve Never Heard Of

1. The Klingon Language Institute’s (KLI) Kor Memorial Scholarship

Although fluency in the fictional Klingon language is not required for this scholarship being a fan of Star Trek can’t hurt. Each year $500 is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student studying language in any form. Qapla! The award recipients are announced each year at the qep ‘a’ (the annual KLI conference).



2. Left-handed scholarship

Left handed students who attend Juniata College in Pennsylvania automatically meet the criteria for the Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship of up to $1,000. I wonder if there are a lot of southpaws at Juniata.

3. The Parapsychology Foundation Inc. Scholarship

The foundation offers the $3,000 Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate student studying or conducting research in the area of psychic phenomena to meet the requirements of their degree program. That kid from Paranormal State should probably apply for this one.



4. National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance Scholarship- New England Chapter

To be considered, applicants must be a single, overweight high-school senior maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA at a New England high school. Each year two people win the $500 prize.

5. The National Candy Technologists Scholarship

Each year the American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT) chooses one food science or related field major to receive a $5,000 scholarship. Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA, attended an accredited four-year college, have sophomore or junior status, have a demonstrated interest in confectionary technology and— of course—like sweets.

6. National Marbles Tournament Scholarships

Since 1922 the National Marbles Tournament has been held annually in different cities. Over the four-day tournament more than 1,200 marble games are played. With so many games played obviously only the most skilled mibsters (marble shooters) have a chance to win the 2  $2,000 scholarship prizes.



7. The Make It Yourself Wool Contest (MIYWC)

Surprisingly, this scholarship is fairly competitive. The contestants must prove their sewing, knitting or crocheting skills to the American Sheep Industry Association by constructing their own garments from wool. State winners proceed to the national competition where winners are awarded $1,000-2,000 scholarships.

8. The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Scholarship

Any high school senior in the United States is eligible to participate in the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest held annually in Stuttgart, Ark. Participants must adhere to the rules of the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest which give each person 90 seconds to use four calls (hail, feed, comeback and mating). The best duck call gets the winner $1,500. Here is video of a duck caller.

9. The Lambert and Annetje Van Valkenburg Memorial Scholarship

Anyone who is a direct descendent of Lambert and Annetje Van Valkenburg is eligible to apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Due to the low number of applicants the criteria was changed to allow those legally adopted into a Van Valkenburg family and those with any variation in the spelling of the last name to also be considered.

10. The United Daughters of the Confederacy Scholarship

Only direct decedents of “worthy” confederate soldiers, sailors and marines are considered for the $1,000 Helene James Brewer Scholarship. Applicants must reside in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia. They also must plan to study southern history or literature at an accredited college. In addition, proof of Confederate Military Record and the applicant’s line of decent from the Confederate ancestor must be submitted.



11. The American Fire-Sprinkler Association Scholarship

Simply writing an essay about a successful fire-sprinkler activation in your town or state gets seven applicants $3,000 each year.

12. The National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) Scholarships

For several years the NCTA sponsored the “Help Santa Find the Perfect Real Christmas Tree Scholarship” which awarded a $5,000 scholarship to one child in each of the four age groups (6-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18). Applicants were asked to submit a picture of their family with the Christmas tree they had picked and an essay explaining why the tree was perfect for them. In 2007 the NCTA dropped this scholarship for the “Get Real This Christmas! YouTube video scholarship,” which asked applicants to create a unique video explaining why real Christmas trees are better than fake ones. The winner received a $500 prize.

13. The Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation Scholarship

Any student of an accredited educational institution currently enrolled in a course of study which relates to vacuum coating technology may apply. Each year the two most qualified candidates receive a $2,500 scholarship and are invited to a Technical Conference held by the world’s experts in vacuum coating technology. Anyone sure what exactly this is?

14. “Stuck at Prom” Contest

Duck brand duct tape annually sponsors the “stuck at prom” contest, which awards $5,000 to the couple with the best outfits made out of duct tape. In recent years the Duck Company has received over 4,000 entries each year. Some past winners are pictured below.



15. Tall Clubs International (TCI)Scholarships

Like many college scholarships, applicants must be under the age of 21 and be planning to attend college the following fall. However, TCI’s scholarship also has a height restriction; female applicants must be at least 5’10” and male applicants can be no shorter than 6’2”. Multiple scholarships up to $1,000 are awarded annually.

16. Carnegie Mellon University Bagpipe Scholarship

Each year Carnegie Mellon University offers one $7,000 scholarship to a student who wants to study bagpipe. Surprisingly (or not), many years no one accepts the offer. Besides the money, winners (or accepters) are also able to study with the three-time world bagpipe champion, Alasdair Gillies. Currently, there is only one bagpipe major in the United States, making this one of the least competitive scholarships out there.



17. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Scholarship

Each year NORML gives out a $650 scholarship to the student who writes the best essay outlining a more “sensible” drug policy for the United States. It’s unlikely one of these winners would qualify for the Goodie Goodie scholarship mentioned next.



18. The Goodie Goodie Scholarship

Joseph H. Deppen donated the money for this scholarship in memory of his sister who, apparently, was a goodie goodie. To qualify the student must attend Bucknell University, must not drink, smoke, chew tobacco, take drugs or participate in any strenuous athletic contests. It’s doubtful that many students meet these requirements. The amount awarded can vary.

19. The Golf Caddy Scholarship

Each year the Evans Scholars Foundation gives out about 200 full tuition scholarships renewable for up to 4 years. To qualify applicants must have a strong two year caddie record, maintained at least a B average in high school, and demonstrate financial need as well as an outstanding character. Although the scholars may use their award at the University of their choice, most choose to attend one of the 14 universities where the Evans foundation maintains a scholarship house.

Posted: Monday, January 28, 2008 2:55 PM by Brian

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