It’s finally time to narrow down your college choices. As exciting as that is, there is one little buzzkill: money. After all, college is very expensive! Unlike loans, which need to be repaid, scholarships give you a little extra money to put towards your tuition that you don’t need to pay back later. However, applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be tedious; there are some crazy and cool scholarships out there available for you! Check out these unique scholarships you should apply for.
1. Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Would you believe us if we said you could design a prom dress out of duct tape and win a scholarship? Weirdly enough, you can! All it takes is using Duck Brand duct tape to create your own dress and submitting a picture in your application. Think outside of the box; you win based on creativity and style!
Requirement: You must be a legal resident of the United States or Canada and sign a release form.
Deadline: You can enter between March 10 and May 23.
Amount: $5,000 (and an additional $5,000 for your school)
To apply: Check out the Duck Brand website!
2. American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program
Don’t have the time to write another college essay? You’re in luck, because for this scholarship, you just have to read an essay about fire safety. After you read a passage, you answer a 10-question quiz, and then you’re entered to win one of 10 available scholarships. For each question you answer correctly, you’ll receive one entry towards the scholarship. Learning about safety and winning money for college? Sounds good to us.
Requirements: This scholarship is only open to high school seniors (including home-schooled students.)
Deadline: April 2 at 12 p.m. CDT
Amount: $2,000 (10 are available!)
To apply: Check out the scholarship’s website.
3. Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship
This scholarship requires that you submit a picture of something you made out of ink cartridges or your old printer. Be creative! Applicants in the past have entered with Christmas trees, candleholders and lamps—all made out of cartridges. You need to post a picture of your creation on this Pinterest page to win.
If that doesn’t work for you, you can also apply by submitting a message through social media about recycling. You can post something inspirational about recycling on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook with the hashtag #CastleInk.
Requirements: You must be an entering or current college student.
Deadline: May 1
Amount: $1,000
To apply: Check out the scholarship information here!
4. Your Favorite Car Scholarship
New Car Sell Off, a site for discounted new vehicles, is sponsoring this scholarship. All you have to do is write an essay about a vehicle that is listed on the website with at least three reasons why you chose that vehicle. The most convincing essay will win!
Requirements: You must be an entering or current college student. You also must be a resident of the United States or Canada.
Deadline: April 30
Amount: $500
To apply: Check out their website.
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5. Flavor of the Month Scholarship
This scholarship takes place in July in honor of National Ice Cream Month. In a paragraph with less than 250 words, describe which ice cream flavor you would be and why. You can submit your entry through ScholarshipExperts.com.
Requirements: You must be 13 years old and a legal resident of the United States.
Deadline: July 31
Amount: $1,500
To apply: Check out the listing on Scholarship Experts!
6. Make Me Laugh Scholarship Contest
The major qualification for this contest? A sense of humor! In less than 250 words, all you have to do is try to make the judges at ScholarshipExperts.com laugh. Tell a funny story, your favorite joke or an embarrassing moment. The point of it is to lighten the seriousness of college applications!
Requirements: You must be 13 years old and a legal resident of the United States.
Deadline: August 31
Amount: $1,500
To apply: Check out the ScholarshipExperts.com page.
7. Superpower Scholarship
To apply for this scholarship, you just have to answer the question, “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?” in less than 250 words.
Requirements: You must be 13 years old and a legal resident of the United States.
Deadline: March 31
Amount: $2,500
To apply: Check out the scholarship entry website.
Some schools may provide merit-based aid, but it’s definitely worth it to apply for some scholarships on your own. If you apply for some of these crazy scholarships, you’ll get to have fun while doing it! Your bank account (and your parents) will thank you later.