Are you a left-handed high school senior?  A Pokemon master?  A graduate student with a passion for tattoo removal? Believe it or not, there’s a scholarship for you.

As it turns out, there are more wacky and weird scholarships than you can imagine. And they’re here to help you make education affordable. Explore this list and find where you fit. When you’re ready, Going Merry makes applying a breeze.

Start your search with these 29 unique college scholarships for high school students:

1. Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 – $10,000

Niche: Vegetarianism

Vegetarians and supporters alike – this group wants to know how you promote vegetarianism in your high school or community. An anonymous donor sponsors the Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship contest with two different award amounts: two $5,000 prizes and one $10,000 prize.

2. Mann Lake Beekeeping Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Apiology (the study of beekeeping)

Mann Lake’s Beekeeping Scholarship is for college students who aspire to be outstanding and extraordinary. Applicants must be currently/about to be enrolled in any apiology program, major in agriculture & environmental sciences, or other related studies. The Mann Lake Scholarship offers a one-time award of $1,000 to cover educational-related costs, including tuition, books, computers, room and board, and other educational expenses.

3. Foreclosure.com Scholarship

Amount: Up to $4,000

Unusual ask: Write about renting vs. owning a home

These college scholarships aim to educate the community about various topics in real estate. In order to apply to the Foreclosure.com Scholarship, simply enter the essay contest with a paper between 800 and 2,000 words about the pros and cons of renting versus owning a home. The first place winner receives a $4,000 scholarship while second and third place winners receive a $1000 scholarship.  

4. Carlyle Tools MAX Impact Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Niche: Students enrolled in accredited skilled-trades programs

The Carlyle Tools MAX Impact Scholarship monthly program doesn’t just provide financial support; it equips the most promising talent with everything they need to excel. The scholarship seeks out those with the instinct, precision, and raw power to become technical predators in their field. Each month, one winner is selected to receive a $2,500 award and a fully stocked, professional-grade toolbox packed with essential tools.

5. The Utopia Management Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Students who wish to contribute to a utopian world

In an effort to nurture healthy communities and a prosperous society, Utopia Management endeavors to support higher education through this bi-annual $1,000 scholarship. Awarded every spring and fall, the scholarship is meant to support dedicated students in acquiring a career-oriented degree. Applicants must write an essay in response to this essay prompt: “How will your education contribute to a Utopian world?”

The Utopia Management Scholarship – Spring Semester (November deadline)

The Utopia Management Scholarship – Fall Semester (May deadline)

6. The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Niche: Thrill seekers

The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship takes the cake for the most unusual scholarship! This creative essay contest asks students to imagine their school has been overrun by zombies, and then come up with a plan for survival. With no GPA requirement or letters of recommendation, applying for this scholarship money is much less scary than outrunning a hungry zombie. 

7. CouponBirds “Help to Save” Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Anyone who has money-saving tips

CouponBirds “Help to Save” Scholarship is a program to assist high school and college students in easing financial burdens and empowering them to pursue higher education. Scholarships will be awarded to five students who showcase their creativity and talent by submitting a short video sharing their money-saving secrets. The first prize, valued at $1,000, will be awarded to one student. The second prize, valued at $500 each, will be awarded to four students.

8. Cosmetology Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Niche: Studying cosmetology

Students studying cosmetology or any related field may apply to this Cosmetology School Scholarship sponsored by Beauty Schools Directory. Example majors are esthetics, nail technician, fashion design, electrology, and barbering.  

9. Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Niche: Fitness-related career

High school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students may apply. The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship supports students focusing on health and fitness-related careers. Academic achievement and extracurricular activities are taken into consideration, but there is no GPA requirement.

10. “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship

Amount: $25,000

Niche: Risk-takers

Bold.org believes the future of our world will be molded by earnest, determined risk-takers. If that sounds like you, the “Be Bold” No Essay Scholarship contest should be on your list. The award amount is generous and will go a long way to help offset student loans. The winning profile will demonstrate a high degree of boldness and students who apply early have a greater chance of winning!

11. StorageArea.com Annual Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Those interested in writing an essay on how to organize or declutter

With an inventory of over 10,000 self-storage facilities, StorageArea.com believes higher education is important and wants to give back. Every year, the company offers the StorageArea.com Annual Scholarship.

12. Race to Inspire Scholarship

Amount: $500

Niche: 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon runners

Race Entry is an online race registration company that supports students of all disciplines who pursue self-improvement and enhanced health through race preparation and participation. Race Entry is offering a $500 Scholarship to the winner of their annual “Race to Inspire” essay contest.

13. Rodeo Enthusiast Scholarship

Amount: $500

Niche: Rodeo Enthusiasts

Rodeo Ticket is an online rodeo ticket company that supports students with an interest in rodeos of all disciplines who pursue further education. Rodeo Ticket is offering a $500 Scholarship to the winner of their annual “Rodeo Enthusiast” essay contest.

14. Perfecting The Craft Annual Scholarship

Amount: $500

Niche: Those with a passion for a craft

The Perfecting The Craft Annual Scholarship is an annual $500 scholarship designed to help propel students to become masters of their craft. We hope to encourage students to genuinely reflect on what they want to provide the world and how they are working to build the necessary skills.

15. A1 Solar Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,000

Niche: Students pursuing a degree in renewable energy 

The A1 Solar Scholarship is organized by A1 SolarStore, a North American online solar equipment store, and Setpile, a platform for solar professionals. The project aims to draw attention to the problem of climate change, showcase the creativity and skills of North American engineering students, and support the American solar industry and students who are willing to pursue education in the field of renewable energy.

16. CareerFitter Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Perfect career seekers

CareerFitter helps career seekers around the world find direction in choosing a well-fitting career path. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply for the CareerFitter Scholarship.

17. Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program

Amount: $2,000

Niche: Beef advocate

Don’t start beef. Instead, advocate for it and potentially earn a college scholarship! The Collegiate Beef Advocacy Program connects high school graduates to the beef industry where they can have unlimited access to leadership, their peers, cattlemen and cattlewomen, and beef industry professionals.

18. National Marbles Tournament

Amount: Varies

Niche: Mibster

Fellow mibsters – a.k.a. marble shooters – the National Marbles Tournament awards 4 college scholarships per year. The requirements? Applicants must be between the age of 7-14 and have won a local marble championship. Gamers unite in Wildwood, New Jersey for a tournament of over 1,200 marble games for this wacky college scholarship contest.

19. American Fence Association Scholarships

Award: $5000

Niche: Family involved in fence industry

The American Fence Association awards these little-known college scholarships each year at FENCETECH. Recipients must either be employed in the fence industry or be the immediate family member of an employee in the industry. Additionally, American Fence Association Scholarship applicants must have a B average GPA and have done at least 40 hours of community service. Winners do not need to be members of the AFA to qualify.

20. Future Designer Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Niche: Designer

College students with a flair for the arts and an interest in greeting card design are encouraged to apply to this Future Designer Scholarship. Applicants to this design-a-greeting-card scholarship will enter using original artwork. CardsDirect hints at wanting December holiday-themed works from scholarship applicants!

21. Two Ten Higher Education Footwear Design Scholarship

Amount: $3,000

Niche: Sneakerheads

Ever thought about turning your love of sneakers into a career? The Two Ten Higher Education Footwear Design Scholarship could make that dream a reality. This unusual scholarship goes to a student studying design with a specific focus on footwear. Applicants must submit three different designs from their portfolio, so sharpen those pencils!

22. Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

Niche: Content creators

Jay Gatsby is an American icon. Every depiction of him in popular culture is perfectly lit, shot, and edited – just like the photographs that’ll win the Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship! This scholarship program is targeted toward artistic-minded students, regardless of GPA, with dreams to pursue visual arts higher education and a career in photography or any related art form. 

23. American Association of Candy Technologist’s John Kitt Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Niche: Dessert people

Talk about a delicious deal! The American Association of Candy Technologists’ John Kitt Memorial Scholarship rewards college students who are studying food science with an extra-sweet $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship money is paid in two installments throughout one school year. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to be eligible for this financial aid. 

24. The Asparagus Club Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Niche: Veggie vendors

If you envision a career selling asparagus at the farmers market or your local independent grocer, the Asparagus Club Scholarship can put some extra cash into your college fund. This award is open to students from college sophomores up to graduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and above. 

25. National Potato Council Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Niche: Spud Lovers

Sponsored by the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation, the National Potato Council Scholarship is a great target for graduate students with a focus on agricultural studies. Ideal candidates for this award will be conducting research that benefits the potato industry. The winner will be chosen based on a combination of criteria including academic achievement and areas of study related to the potato industry. 

26. Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Niche: Tall people 

If you’re exceptionally height-advantaged, the Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship could be the scholarship for you. The application calls for high school students, either men or women under 21, who are entering their freshman year of college. The minimum height requirements for membership in Tall Clubs International are 5’ 10” for women and 6’ 2” for men. There’s no financial need or GPA requirement.

27. Create-a-Greeting-Card

Amount: $10,000, plus $1,000 for your school

Niche: Greeting card creator

Show off your design skills by creating your own greeting card and submitting it to win the Create-a-Greeting-Card Scholarship. Students are encouraged to include original art to apply to this scholarship contest. Ages 14 and up may enter, from high school to college students.

28. Flying Musicians Association Solo Program

Amount: First solo in-flight training with instructor

Niche: Musicians wanting to fly

This very specific scholarship program is geared toward musicians who want to learn how to fly. Through the Flying Musicians Association Solo Program, high school juniors and seniors in good standing must be nominated by their music director. FMA will then sponsor the student’s first solo in flight training with a participating flight school, or with a flight instructor who is FAA-certified.

29. Teen Drinking and Driving Prevention PSA Scholarship

Amount: $2,500

Niche: Educate people on the dangers of drinking and driving

If you like directing videos instead of writing essays, this McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., scholarship might be for you. This $2,500 scholarship is for the student who develops the best PSA video for teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving. The Teen Drinking and Driving Prevention PSA scholarship is a creative opportunity to help fund your college tuition and do some community service!

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Going Merry

Going Merry is a one-stop shop for scholarships-- allowing students to find and apply for scholarships, right on our platform. It's like the best scholarship search engine, and an efficient scholarship application form, all in one. How does it work? You fill out a profile, get matched to scholarships you're eligible for, and then can filter or favorite scholarships into an application shortlist. Then, when you're ready to apply, our platform auto-fills any information you've already told us, so that you never have to answer the same thing twice. Counselors often call us the "common app for scholarships."

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