Scholarships: The Top 10 Strangest Ways To Pay For College
Keywords: financial planning, education, college, scholarships, financial aid, student loans
Scholarships are a great way to pay for college education. The problem is that scholarships are typically merit-based, which means they are usually reserved for students with 4.0 GPAs or star athletes. Thankfully, there are scholarships that rely on other kinds of distinction. Some of these scholarships might be called “non-traditional”; others are downright strange. Here’s a list of ten of the more unusual ones out there.
1. The Patrick Kerr Skateboarding Scholarship. You remember when your mother told you that skateboarding was a waste of time? Well, not anymore. Any high school senior-skateboarder with a 2.5 GPA and serious plans on attending college can apply for one of four scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 dollars each.
2. Carnegie Mellon University Bagpipe Scholarship. This scholarship is truly one-of-a-kind - literally. Carnegie Mellon University awards exactly one applicant every year a $7,000 scholarship to study bagpipe. William Wallace would be proud.
3. Chick & Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Scholarship. This scholarship needs no explanation. If you know how to call ducks, get yourself down to Stuttgart, Arkansas, to compete for a $1,500 prize for college.
4. The Klingon Language Institute’s Kor Memorial Scholarship. Yes, this is a real scholarship based on the popular alien race from Star Trek. The good news is that you don’t have to be a Star Trek devotee to be eligible. In fact, you don’t even have to speak Klingon. You just need to be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a language or linguistics program at an accredited university.
Incidentally, there are also several Starfleet Academy Scholarships, also of Star-Trek origins, also $500 each. The Starfleet Scholarships are named for popular actors/characters in the television series and include the Dr. Leonard McCoy Medical Scholarship, the Montgomery Scott Engineering Scholarship, the LeVar Burton Educational Scholarship, and the Patrick Stewart Scholarship for the Performing Arts.
5&6. Billy Barty Foundation Scholarship for Dwarfism and the Tall Clubs International Scholarship. Whether you’re big - over 6′2″ for men, 5′10″ for women - or small - 4′10″ to be exact, with a medical form of dwarfism - you could be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship. They even have a scholarship for left-handed students at Juanita College. In fact, there’s a scholarship for nearly every physical condition - well, almost. I’m still waiting for a scholarship for people who are “big-boned,” if you know what I mean…
7. Duct Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship Contest. This scholarship is open to all students who are attending a high school prom. Applicants enter as a couple and attend high school prom wearing complete attire or accessories made from duct tape. The first place prize consists of a $3,000 scholarship for each member of the winning couple and a $3,000 cash prize to the school that hosted the prom.
8. Michigan Llama Association Scholarship. If you’re studying veterinary medicine at Michigan State University College, and if you’re interested in learning about and working with llamas, you could be eligible for a $500 scholarship sponsored by The Michigan Lama Association.
9. Excellence in Predicting the Future Award. This is not exactly what it sounds like. Any would-be Nostradamus need not apply. Any would-be Alan Greenspan, on the other hand, should. The “Excellence in Predicting the Future Award” is actually a contest for students interested in economics. Participants “buy and sell” future predictions in the manner of buying stocks. A $400 cash gift is awarded every two months by Troy Studios to encourage students to pursue economics or simply to learn more about the world they live in.
And finally…
10. Society of Vacuum Coaters Foundation Scholarship. Before you make any snarky remarks about “sucking-up” this scholarship, be advised that it awards $5,000 annually to one lucky student pursuing vacuum coating technology at an accredited university. I don’t know about you, but suddenly vacuums seem much more interesting than Klingons or llamas.
The moral of the story? Basically, it’s that there are innumerable scholarships out there for potential college students. So whether you are a Trekkie, an aspiring Tony Hawk, a bagpiper, or even if you like ducks or duct tape, there’s a scholarship for you. In short, if you can’t find a little extra money for college, then, frankly, you’re just not trying.
Benjamin Welch has been a college instructor in writing and composition for nearly six years. He also offers advice about financial aid and scholarships. Read more at www.classesandcareers.com and www.classesandcareers.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Credit Repair Companies Are Just Not Worth It (1)
If you think about it, a client going to any of these credit repair firms produces all their details and hands them over to a total stranger. This could be a recipe for disaster and could even plummet you further into debt.
Q And A About Credit And Credit Bureaus (2)
This is true but what people dont realize that the 7 years begins from your last delinquency which therefore can extend this time even past 10 years. And that is a long time to be without good credit.
All About CDs (Certificate Of Deposits) (3)
The money in the CD is held until it 'matures', at which point the customer can withdraw it without bringing about any fees (which are applied if he or she withdraws before the date of maturation).
House Price Growth 'Falls' (4)
Meanwhile, a study conducted by Halifax earlier this month revealed a fall in house price growth during the second quarter of 2007. According to the firm, property values increased by two per cent during the three-month period, compared to a rise of three per cent recorded between January and March.
Young Buyers Ready 'To Take On Huge Debt' (5)
Over the course of May, first-time buyers were said to be opting to borrow at 3.37 times their average annual income. Meanwhile, monthly mortgage repayments were also said to have peaked at 19.1 per cent - the highest level noted since 1992 and a rise from the 18.7 per cent recorded during April.
Looking For Love Can Issue 'Shock' To Financial Situation (6)
Meanwhile, consumers aged 35 to 44 were said to be the biggest romance spenders as they fritter an average of 105 pounds 88p every month. In comparison, single men and women over the age of 55 are most prudent, paying out 41 pounds 33p a month looking for love.
No Credit Is Worse Than Bad Credit (7)
A bank collateral loan requires a deposit into your bank of choice then the ability to request for a loan that is equal to the amount deposited. A reasonable term would be one year to pay back the loan on a monthly basis.
Floods And Home Insurance (8)
Insurers will often require adequate security including window locks and door locks. Insurers will often offer discounts for example for being a member of a neighbourhood watch scheme or having an intruder alarm fitted.
Low Income Families 'Need Access To Cheap Loans' (9)
However, she claimed that although Britons have tightened their belts in recent months and are spending less money on credit cards, personal loans and other forms of borrowing, credit has in the past proved to be largely beneficial for the majority of consumers.
Fixed Rate Loans 'Offer Peace Of Mind' (10)
But it is also in effect a long-term gamble on rates. While you may feel smug as rates rise, if they drop you may be kicking yourself, especially if this persists over a long period of time".
Britons Should Not 'Sit Back' For Energy Price Cuts (11)
However, the price comparison website claimed that such offers "seem to be the best kept secret in the energy market", with only one in eight customers opting for such a deal.
Banking Alternatives: Do You Need A Bank? (12)
In fact, some people aren't even aware that there are alternatives to banking apart from keeping your money at home. Although banking has its uses, it can cost you money for day-to-day financial matters that you can get for less.
Are You Paying Too Much For Your Loan Insurance? (13)
If this sort of security is important to you then loan insurance is probably a good idea. Lack of cover Although it can give you peace of mind that you will be covered, loan insurance has extremely limited coverage.
Buy Foreclosed Homes- Be An Informed Buyer (14)
Before you actually buy a foreclosed you ought to know several things. A little information in the real estate market can be sufficient for ensuring that you wont be overcome with buyers remorse soon after the sale.
Consumers Determined To Buy First Home (15)
Andy Wiggans, director of mortgages for Bradford & Bingley, said: "Having to find an extra 25 pounds per month, at a time when finances are squeezed, is going to hit first-time buyers' pockets but our research shows it's not going to deter them.
Foreclosed Home- Discover The Truth About Foreclosed Homes (16)
Today, you might find more opportunities for buying foreclosures than ever before. To some extent this is because of the high debt rates getting more people into financial trouble, and partially because lenders are giving mortgages to higher-risk borrowers.
Foreclosed Home Listing- An Insight Into Foreclosed Home Listings (17)
The listing does not attach any importance to the mortgage company that repossessed it. Usually the mortgage company or bank tries to sell the property as soon as possible in order to obtain the money that they lost in the months when the original buyer was making no payment to them.
Foreclosed Homes List- An Important Tool (18)
Obsolete Information: Generally, many available foreclosed home lists contain outdated information about properties. It leads to unnecessary trouble for the person considering the list, as by the time people get to know about such properties, they are sold out.
Understanding Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) (19)
Perhaps the most frequently asked question when signing closing documents revolves around the APR. Disclosure of APR is required by the Truth-in-Lending Law and allows borrowers to compare the actual costs of different mortgage loans.
Buying Home Owners Insurance Online (20)
By going online for your insurance needs you can make the experience much easier. In fact you can find coverage's online that will cover a wide range of disasters and accidents, including damage caused by: fire/lightning, windstorms/hail, explosions, riot or civil commotions, aircraft, vehicles, smoke, vandalism, theft, volcanic eruption, falling objects, weight of snow/ice/sleet and much more.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
How To Open A New Credit File (1)
Keywords: credit repair, do it yourself credit repair, erase bad credit There are different ways to open a new credit file each of which works to help one build a new credit file and utilize simultaneously while repairing ones credit or establishing credit.
One In Three 'Lack Credit File Knowledge' (2)
However, online identity fraud is rapidly increasing, with the average person's ID worth an estimated 85,000 pounds to fraudsters, so it is becoming increasingly necessary for people to take matters into their own hands and ensure they remain on top of their credit files".
Don't Let Banks Charge You An ARM Or A Leg (3)
You'll find plenty of very conservative people talk about the dangers of an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) and sometimes they are right. Although for the most part, today's ARM loans offer very favorable rates and terms.
Refinance Medical Equipment To Offset Reductions In Medicare Reimbursements (4)
Because of the cuts, providers will need to become more operationally and financially efficient. One way to offset the decreased cash flow is to refinance equipment. Many providers are making very large monthly payments because they have opted to execute four or even three year leases.
Low Interest Based Loans On The Net (5)
You want to find a loan that has relatively low interest, however, there are thousands of companies that offer low interest loan with hidden charges. When you use the Internet, the process can be less stressful.
Are There Really Ways To Make Money Online? (6)
They had huge resources to throw at the internet game, and they were like the Wal-Mart monopolies of this world -- squashing the little guy as they went along. However, delving a little deeper into this "Internet Money" thing revealed something interesting.
A 100 Percent Mortgage Can Be Your Ticket To A New Home (7)
The 80/20 loan is far more beneficial because all of the interest paid on both loans is tax deductible, each month you pay more towards the principal balance of the loans and after the second mortgage is paid off your total monthly payment is a lot less.
Be Aware Of These Common Mortgage Pitfalls (8)
What about if one of the units within the building used to be a commercial storefront while the remaining units stayed residential? There are some ways to cope with this.
Chip N Pin Good Or Bad (9)
While we are constantly warned about keeping our details secret and safely disposing of letters from the bank and credit card statements, people are still being defrauded of their money.
Getting A Credit Card - What To Avoid! (10)
If you are wise in your use of your credit card then you will remain in control of your finances, and not be concerned about getting into major debt. If you do not control your spending then you will soon be heading to a downward spiral of debt that you might never get out of.
Currency Trading - Can You Do It? (11)
As with any trading FOREX can be risky, don't consider putting all your money into FOREX until you have a certain level of knowledge and know the risks involved. Start with small amount to trade with and as you trade and gain more knowledge and experience then you can trade with larger sums of money.
What You Need To Know About UK Mortgages As A First Time Buyer (12)
Many first time buyers consider only the monthly payment when they sign up for a mortgage. It also is important to look closely at the full amount you will be paying, and the length of time it will take to repay.
How To Build Your Own House (13)
Hiring someone else to build your home can also be quite expensive, so why not take control of your new home and the price, and self build the home just the way you want it.
Guide To Personal Loans (14)
Marketers begin the festive hype months before the actual holiday and, despite their best intentions, far too may people are drawn into the ever-spiralling credit abyss that results when expectations far outweigh income.
Guide To Buying Property In Spain (15)
The Mediterranean temperatures of Barcelona provide year round comfort. The winters are mild and the summers are warm and sultry here. Barcelona offers various locations to please every property buyer.
A Guide To UK Pension Schemes (16)
Since 2001 members of a company pension scheme can also take out an additional personal pension. Occupational pensions are set up by employers for employees. Most occupational pensions usually offer an eightieth of the final remuneration for each year of work plus a lump sum of up to a hundred and fifty percent of the final remuneration.
Realtor Referrals - The Greatest Mortgage Marketing Strategy (17)
Then, of those great leads, there are the best of the best which is the real estate mortgage referral. With these, you can find yourself with renters turned buyers, first timers, and many other customers that are ready to have you help them buy that dream home.
The Three Golden Rules Of Investing (18)
The first golden rule is to just get started! One of the main reasons people fail to create wealth is because they don't understand the power of compound interest as they think investing just a few dollars, or even putting coins in a jar will never be enough to invest, so why bother.
Types Of Investment (19)
These investments are a savings and life assurance policy that pays out tax free upon maturity or death. There are many different types of endowment policies, so make sure you consider all of your options.
What Mortgage Can You Afford (20)
The process becomes complicated with people who earn bonuses, overtime and/or commissions. One simple way to get a pretty good estimate of your monthly income is take your last two W2 forms, add them together and divide the total by twenty four.
Permalink to Scholarships: The Top 10 Strangest Ways To Pay For College