5 Unusual and Frankly Weird Scholarships
Academic awards and scholarships are no longer just for the super smart and athletic; now you just have to be left-handed and you qualify. If you have the right last name, characteristic, or niche interest, you could cash in on a rare scholarship. Therefore, before you decide to give up the idea of getting your own scholarship; take a look at 5 of the weirdest scholarships out there. With scholarships as unique as these, you may be eligible for more college funding than you ever imagined.
1. The Scholarship for Little People in America
Known as the LPA, Little People of America offers LPA scholarships to its members. The LPA association is a non-profit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature together with their loved ones. Membership is offered to those who are four feet ten inches or shorter, and the scholarship deadline is April 1.
Founded by Billy Barty, who starred in Willow and Rumplestiltskin and was only 3’9”, the LPA also sponsors scholarships for eligible college students who have been diagnosed with dwarfism.
2. The Seussville College Scholarship
Random House, which publishes the literary works of Dr. Seuss, sponsors an annual $5,000 essay competition for high school seniors 21 and younger. Essays must be written in English, original, typed, double spaced, with a font of at least 12 points, one page and no more than 500 words. Additionally, essays must answer the submitted essay question in its entirety and be submitted by February 15.
3. National Contest Do It Yourself with Wool
This national wool competition awards $1,000 and $2,000 scholarships to those who can knit wool garments/articles. Winners are chosen based on thread/fabric coordination with garment design and style, appropriateness to entrant’s lifestyle, entrant’s creativity and presentation.
4. Zolp Scholarships
Zolp Scholarships are restricted to Loyola University students whose last name is Zolp and are Catholic. The student’s last name must appear on their confirmation and birth certificate in which they are provided with full tuition for all of their studies. Other scholarships offered to students with specific last names include:
· Gatling at North Carolina State University, where the John Gatling Fund awards scholarships to students born with the surname Gatlin or Gatling. The grant provides up to $18,000 for out-of-state students and $9,000 for in-state students.
Scarpinato at Texas A&M University, where scholarships pay the full cost of attendance at the University for anyone with the surname Scarpinato by marriage or birth.
Harvard University also has several scholarships that are based on a student’s last name, including Bright, Downer, Thayer, Hudson, and Baxendale.
The Van Valkenburg Scholarship awards $1,000 to any descendant (by legal adoption or birth) of Annetje and Lambert Van Valkenburg who immigrated to the United States in 1643. Variations on this surname are accepted, including Van Velkinburgh, Van Falkenburg, and Van Volkinburg.
5. Tall Clubs International Scholarships
Tall Clubs International offers $1,000 scholarships for tall people through the Sumner Einfeldt Scholarship with individual chapters offering local awards. Men over 6’2” and women over 5’10” tall are considered for the award. In addition, candidates must be over the age of 21 and prepared to attend college in the fall.