8 scholarships for college students you probably didn’t know existed

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If you have a weird talent or interest, you may be eligible for a weird scholarship.

Admissions season is in full swing.

As many high-school seniors have begun to hear back from colleges, they’ll soon make a decision after factoring in a school’s location, size, and fields of study.

But an equally important criterion is whether the school fits financially, which can depend on financial aid awards and external scholarships.

While most people think that scholarships are typically reserved for academic performance, there are also lesser-known awards in some obscure fields.

Take a look below to see eight unusual scholarships for college students.

Duct Tape Prom Formal Wear

Number of awards: 10

Maximum amount: $10,000

Description: The Henkal Corporation’s Duck Brand Duct Tape “Stuck at Prom” Contest rewards individuals or couples for creating prom attire made completely out of duct tape. To enter, post a photo or video of your prom attire to your personal Instagram or Twitter account, along with hashtags #DuckTapePromposal and #Sweepstakes.

 

Duck Calling

Number of awards: 4

Maximum amount: $2,000

Description: The Chick & Sophie Major Memorial Scholarship Duck Calling Contest is open to any high school senior in the United States “who can call ducks.” Each contestant must follow the rules ordained by the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest: “They have 90 seconds to use four calls: hail, feed, comeback and mating.”

 

Crystallography

Number of awards: 10

Maximum amount: $2,500

Description: “The Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship Award was designed to encourage graduate students to pursue crystallographically-oriented research,” according to its website. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree program with an interest in crystallography, like crystal structure analysis or crystal morphology.

 

Parapsychology

Number of Awards: 1

Maximum amount: $3,000

Description: The Eileen J. Garrett Scholarship is for undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in parapsychology programs, such as telepathy, reincarnation, or near-death experiences.

Golf Caddies

Number of awards: 800

Maximum amount: full 4-year tuition and housing costs covered

Description: “The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for golf caddies that is renewable for up to four years,” according to the Western Golf Association.

 

 

Beef Industry

Number of awards: 10

Maximum amount: $1,500

Description: Sponsored by CME Group & the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, 10 scholarships are awarded to “outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry,” according to the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

Candy Makers

Number of awards: 1

Maximum amount: $5,000

Description: To qualify for the National Candy Technologists Scholarship the student must have have an interest in confectionery technology and major in food science or a related area.

Scuba Divers

Number of awards: 2

Maximum amount: $25,000

Description: The mission of the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society is to “promote educational activities associated with the underwater world,” according to its site. Applicants must be certified Scuba divers and need to pass a diving physical prior to acceptance of the scholarship. 

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