When you think of scholarships, perhaps you think of ones that require you go to have a high GPA or write an academic essay. Though that is true in many cases, not all of them are academic-based. In fact, there are plenty of scholarships that are weird, unusual, and even silly.
From pretending that you’re in a zombie apocalypse, to writing a funny story, to doing the best duck call, you’ll have fun applying to the scholarships below.
Halloween Express Scholarship
Entry period: October 1-31, 2018
Amount awarded: Up to $1,000
Learn More
Each year, Halloween Express offers a scholarship essay contest on a different topic. This year, the topic is about costume standards–many costumes are considered too offensive to particular cultures and religions, while other costumes might glorify violence or are too sexual. Should some costumes be off limits? Has society reached a point to where we are conditioned to be offended by such costumes? Halloween Express invites you to submit a 500 to 2,500-word essay to express and defend your point of view.
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Deadline: October 31, 2018
Amount awarded: $2,000
Learn More
If you were in the middle of a zombie apocalypse like in the show “The Walking Dead,” how would you survive? For this scholarship, you have to answer the following essay prompt in 250 words or less: “Imagine that your high school or college has been overrun with zombies. Your math professor, the cafeteria ladies, and even your best friend have all joined the walking dead. Flesh out a plan to avoid the zombies, including where you’d hide and the top-five things you’d bring to stay alive.”
Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Scholarship Contest
Competition date: November 23, 2018
Amount awarded: $500 to $2,000
Learn More
Each year, the Stuttgard, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce hosts a duck calling contest for any high school senior in the U.S. Participants have 90 seconds to do four types of duck calls–hail, feed, comeback, and mating–according to the rules by the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest. The contestant with the best calls wins the scholarship.
National Rice Month Scholarship Contest
Deadline: October 31, 2018
Amount awarded: $1,500 to $4,000
Learn More
If you live in a rice-growing state (Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Texas), you can submit an original video (three minutes or less) on the importance of rice to your state. You can also talk about rice production, healthy eating, sustainability, and other related topics.
10 Things You Love About You Scholarship
Deadlines: December 31, 2018
Amount awarded: $1,500
Learn More
The prompt for this scholarship is pretty simple: using 250 words or less, create a top 10 list of reasons why you deserve this scholarship. The applicant with the most convincing list wins. The winner will be notified on March 31, 2019.
Getting Real About Distracted Driving Scholarship
Deadline: Fall semester, December 31; Spring semester, May 31
Amount awarded: $1,000
Learn More
Each fall and spring semester, Comedy Defensive Driving School, an online defensive driving program, ask students to design an advertisement on the dangers of distracted driving. From drinking to texting or even eating while driving, your ad can be used to help drivers stay more focused while on the road. Creativity and humor are encouraged.
Tall Clubs International Foundation
Deadline: February 20, 2019
Amount awarded: $5,000 to $10,000
Learn More
This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who are vegetarians. Submit an essay addressing your successes and challenges in promoting vegetarianism in your school or community. You’ll also have to submit three letters of recommendations and any documentation related to promoting vegetarianism.
Create A Greeting Card Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2019
Amount awarded: $10,000
Learn More
The Gallery Collection offers a scholarship for the best original photo artwork or computer graphic to be used on the cover of a greeting card. The finalist is determined by the most number of votes on the company’s website.
Superpower Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2019
Amount awarded: $2,500
Learn More
For all the superhero fans out there, perhaps there’s a one that you’ve always admired. The essay question for this scholarship is: Which superhero or villain would you want to switch places with for a day and why? Answer it in 250 words or less.
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
Deadline: July 31, 2019
Amount awarded: $1,500
Learn More
Is there a particular ice cream flavor that reflects your personality? Perhaps, you are classy like vanilla, or maybe you’re a little more exotic like rainbow sherbet. In celebration of July being National Ice Cream Month, all you have to do is answer the following essay question: If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be and why? The winner will be announced on October 31, 2019.
Make Me Laugh Scholarship
Deadline: August 31, 2019
Amount awarded: $1,500
Learn More
Are you funny? This is your chance to make the scholarship judges laugh. All you have to do is describe an incident in your life–fact or fiction– that is funny or embarrassing. Applicants as young as age 13 can apply. The winner will be notified on November 30, 2019.
