9 Fun and Unique Scholarships for High School Students
April 29, 2022Applying for scholarships is not exactly the most exciting activity. In most cases, you’re just writing the same essay and entering the same information for each application.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of fun and unique scholarships for high school students who march to the beat of a different drum.
If you’re sick of answering the same basic, boring scholarship questions, try applying for these fun and unique scholarships for high school students:
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
If you love thinking about zombie scenarios, then we’ve found the perfect scholarship for you. The Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship asks students to write a 250-word essay about how they would survive the zombie apocalypse and what five specific items they would bring.
This $2,000 scholarship is only open to US students who are 14 or older.
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Scholarship
If you dream about working in television, then you should definitely apply for one of the many scholarships from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This is the same organization that gives out the Emmys.
There are both national and regional awards, with some scholarships based on need and others based on merit. There are both general television scholarships and specific awards for those interested in television journalism or sports broadcasting.
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
Dairy lovers rejoice – your perfect scholarship opportunity is here. To win this $1,500 scholarship, you’ll have to choose which ice cream flavor describes you perfectly and why.
This scholarship is only available for US students who are 14 or older.
Bowling Congress Scholarship
Students who are regulars at the local bowling lanes can apply for one of the many scholarships available through the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). There are both need-based and merit-based components.
Students must be members of the USBC to be eligible. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $6,000. The exact requirements vary depending on the specific scholarship, but students will generally have to provide a recommendation letter from a bowling coach and proof of a bowling-related accomplishment.
Redhead Scholarship
High school juniors and seniors with naturally occurring red hair are eligible to apply for this $500 scholarship. You must provide both a childhood and current photo to prove that your red hair is real.
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest
If your love of writing is best expressed through funny poems, then the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest is the perfect scholarship for you. To win, you must submit one humorous poem that is 250 lines or less. The poem must be written in English.
There are 12 winners selected, with the first prize receiving a $2,000 scholarship, the second prize receiving a $500 scholarship, and the rest receiving $100 scholarships. This scholarship is open to both US and international students.
Do-Over Scholarship
Most scholarships want to hear about your triumphs and successes, but the Do-Over Scholarship wants to hear about a past mistake you want to correct. The winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Applicants should submit a 250-word essay describing what they would do over and why. Students must be 14 or older to apply and must be US residents.
SuperPower Scholarship
For Marvel and DC fans, the SuperPower Scholarship lets students describe which superhero or supervillain they’d want to be and why. Students will have to explain their decision in a 250-word essay.
The winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Students must be US residents and 14 years or older to apply.
Make Me Laugh Scholarship
Students with a knack for humor should apply for the Make Me Laugh Scholarship, which asks for a 250-word essay about a funny or embarrassing story. The story can be either true or false.
The $1,500 scholarship is open to US residents 14 and older.
Tall Clubs International Foundation Scholarship
Men taller than 6’ 2” and women taller than 5′ 10″ can apply for this fun and unique scholarship. Multiple students will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship.
To be eligible, you must apply via your local Tall Clubs affiliate, which you can find here.
Take Out Student Loans
Even if you win one or more of these fun and unique scholarships, you may still have to take out student loans to pay for college.
Federal student loans
Federal student loans are among the best options for undergraduate students because they offer income-driven repayment plans, loan forgiveness programs, and extended forbearance and deferment options. For the 2022-23 school year, the interest rate for undergraduate student loans is 3.73%.
To apply for federal student loans, you have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form will ask about your family’s financial situation and be used to determine if you qualify for other types of financial aid like grants and work-study. Some colleges even use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their internal scholarships.
Private student loans
ELFI private student loans are available for undergraduate students who need to fill in funding gaps.* ELFI offers private loans with five, seven, 10, 12, and 15-year terms.
Borrowers can choose from a fixed or variable interest rate. Fixed interest rates start at 3.20% APR, and variable interest rates start at 1.20% APR. A fixed-rate loan will have the same interest rate throughout the entire loan term, while a variable-rate loan will have an interest rate that changes based on external market factors. ELFI is known for its customer service and has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot with more than 1,800 reviews.