Calling all future artists, musicians, vegetarians, candy-makers, and leaders of America. Whether you adore zombies, you’re tall, or like to fly drone helicopters, this is for you. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, there are several free college scholarships that I bet you didn’t know existed.
Scholarships, along with any form of free college tuition, are seriously needed for students (and their parents) who want to pursue their academic dreams. From awards for students who love wool to those for people who love potatoes, there are some downright strange scholarships out there. But, it’s free money (sans the time it takes to apply).
So, if you’re a high school student preparing for college or a current college student looking for additional funding, check out this list of scholarships that consider more than just your grades. Keep in mind that application dates and requirements change, so double check before applying.
Plus, we’ve arranged them by deadline to make it easier for you to make a plan to fund college. Download the Krazy Coupon Lady app for the latest tips, deals, and hacks.
January
“Make It with Wool” Contest
Deadline: Varies
Available to: Anyone. There are four categories to compete in, ages ranging from under 12 years old to over 25 years old.
Details: Earn a $2,000 scholarship for your mad sewing, knitting, and fashion designing skills. Be sure to check with your local level contest before you try to enter this national competition.
Boren Awards for International Study
Deadline: Jan. 31
Available to: Current undergraduates in the United States with an interest in studying less commonly taught languages (e.g., Hindi, Turkish) in countries critical to U.S. national security.
Details: Earn up to $25,000 to study abroad. Preference is given to students who want to pursue a career in national security. You’ll also be asked to make a commitment to work for the federal government for at least a year after graduation.
February
The Alexia Foundation Student Grant
Deadline: Feb. 15 (dates have varied by year)
Available to: Full-time undergraduate or graduate students with less than one year of professional photography experience.
Details: Hey photographers, earn a fellowship for college tuition and fees for three courses at Newhouse School at Syracuse University, a $1,000 stipend, and a paid position as research assistant for The Alexia Chair. Submit a body of work that tells a story of promoting world peace and cultural understanding. Does your work have potential to affect global change? Even better.
Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship
Deadline: Feb. 20
Available to: High school seniors
Details: Earn a $10,000 scholarship for sharing your passion for vegetarianism with your school or community.
Sweet and Simple Scholarship
Deadline: Feb. 28
Available to: Must be at least 14 years old and enrolled in a postsecondary institution (or by 2027)
Details: Submit a 250-word essay on a provided question to be in the running for the $1,500 award.
March
Tall Clubs International Scholarship
Deadline: March 1
Available to: Incoming, first-time college freshmen under the age of 21 who are tall. Men must be at least 6′ 2″ and women must be at least 5′ 10″.
Details: If you’ve been given the gift of height, you could earn $1,000 for college.
Loyola University Zolp Scholarship
Deadline: March 1
Available to: Loyola University Chicago students with the last name Zolp and who are Catholic.
Details: The scholarship amount depends on funding, but you must be accepted to the university by February 1.
American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship
Deadline: March 1 and Sept. 1
Available to: College students enrolled in a mortuary or funeral service program.
Details: Your passion for caring for the deceased can earn you $1,500-$2,500 toward your tuition. Along with an application, you must have completed at least a college term in the major.
Create a Greeting Card Scholarship
Deadline: March 1
Available to: Anyone 14 years or older. You must be pursuing a diploma or a degree.
Details: Have fun creating an original work of art for a greeting card. Upload your .jpg image and you could earn $10,000.
American Rental Association Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 4
Available to: High school seniors or currently enrolled college undergraduates and graduates, depending on the scholarship.
Details: There are six scholarships ranging from $750-$5,000. Students who can most eloquently explain where the future of event planning is headed should apply. School transcripts, an essay, and reference letters are also required.
Doodle 4 Google Scholarship
Deadline: March 4
Available to: Students in Kindergarten – 12th grade.
Details: Create a Doodle for Google fitting the year’s theme, and receive up to $55,000 scholarship. Plus, Google will feature your doodle for 24 hours and award your school or organization $50,000 in tech gear. Awards are given based on artistic ability, creativity, and whether the theme is represented.
National Restaurant Association Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: March 11
Available to: Culinary and hospitality students pursuing a degree
Details: There are over 40 culinary-related scholarships. Applicants just submit one application and they’re matched with the most eligible scholarship.
GoSkills 'Be the Boss' Scholarship
Deadline: March 15 and Sept 15
Available to: Any female high-school or college student who wants to run her own business is eligible.
Details: This $2,000 scholarship is for women and girls interested in entrepreneurship. There are two scholarships given each year.
April
Drone Technology College Scholarship
Deadline: Jan. 1 – Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 - Sept. 31 (high school students), May 31 (current or rising college students)
Available to: High school seniors or current undergraduate college students interested in advancing the drone industry.
Details: There are two $1,000 cash prizes. Along with the application, a letter of recommendation from a school sponsor is needed.
AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship
Deadline: April 1
Available to: College-bound high school seniors impacted by Alzheimer’s or related illnesses in their lives.
Details: Applicants need to submit a 1,500-word essay and 4-minute video to compete for the $5,000 scholarship.
Bird Dog Foundation Annual College Scholarship Essay Contest
Deadline: April 15
Available to: High school seniors in Mississippi, Tennessee, or Arkansas entering an accredited college or university, or students affiliated with a bird dog organization or club in other states.
Details: The Foundation awards three cash prizes, with the winner receiving $2,000.
Ayn Rand Institute Anthem Essay Contest
Deadline: April 25
Available to: 8th-12th graders
Details: Write a 600-1200-word essay on the book Anthem. Essays are judged based on how well students argue for their views, not if the Institute agrees. Winning essays show a deep understanding of Anthem’s philosophy and can win up to $2,000.
Ayn Rand Institute The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Deadline: April 25
Available to: High school juniors and seniors.
Details: If you like Ayn Rand and know something about objectivism, earn up to $10,000 for your winning essay (800-1600 words) on a topic about The Fountainhead.
May
Association of Moving Image Archivists Scholarships
Deadline: May 17
Available to: Graduate-level students of library, information science, or museum studies.
Details: Explain why you believe moving image archiving is important. You could earn $4,000.
USBC Youth Scholarship
Deadline: May 1 and Aug 1 (depending on the scholarship you apply for)
Available to: High school and college students who bowl.
Details: If you are serious about bowling, there’s college money around for you. Here are several different bowling scholarships based on everything from grades and letters of recommendations to financial need. You can earn between $1,000 and $6,000.
American Association of Candy Technologists John Kitt Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 15
Available to: College sophomores, juniors, and seniors majoring in food, chemical, or biological science.
Details: Earn $2,500 for proving your interest in the field of confectionery technology. Must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants
Deadline: May 15
Available to: Anyone who can provide proof that they’ve applied for multiple college scholarships.
Details: This $500 scholarship wants to reward you for your persistence and courage in applying for many scholarships. Write an essay about your experience. Debt.com’s mission is to encourage Americans to fight their way to financial independence.
Sheep Heritage Foundation Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 31
Available to: Graduate students researching sheep or wool within an animal science, veterinary medicine, or agriculture economics program.
Details: Proof of college enrollment and two reference letters are required to be eligible for this $3,000 scholarship.
June
John Gatling Grant Program
Deadline: June 1
Available to: Students with the last name Gatlin or Gatling, who are attending (or are planning to attend) North Carolina State University.
Details: Scholarship award varies (in prior years, it was $10,000 annually in-state, or $15,000 annually out-of-state).
Ocean Awareness Student Contest
Deadline: June 10
Available to: Students from 11-18 years old.
Details: If you want to make the ocean a little bit cleaner, you could win $1,500. Send in your ideas about ending ocean pollution in the form of art, poetry, prose, or film.
GoFoodservice Scholarship
Deadline: June 15
Available to: High school seniors planning to attend college in the fall or current culinary arts students.
Details: If you’re a gourmet and you’re planning a career in the culinary arts or hospitality management, you could earn $500 for college.
National Potato Council Scholarship
Deadline: June 15
Available to: Graduate students actively involved in research to help the potato industry.
Details: Prize is a $10,000 scholarship. The winner is selected based on various criteria including academic achievement, leadership abilities, potato-related areas of graduate study, benefit to the U.S. potato industry/commercial value, extracurricular activities, and grades.
July
Flavor of the Month Scholarship
Deadline: July 31
Available to: Students 14 or older.
Details: This scholarship is perfect for ice cream lovers. All you have to do is answer the question "If you were a flavor of ice cream, which would you be, and why?". Earn $1,500 if your answer is chosen.
Minecraft Scholarship
Deadline: July 31
Available to: High school or college students.
Details: Here’s your chance to win $2,000 playing your favorite video game. All you have to do is write a 500-word essay about how you think the game can positively affect career development and education.
August
Make Me Laugh Scholarship
Deadline: Aug. 31
Available to: Students 14 years or older.
Details: Take a break from your serious academic life and make someone laugh. If you write something that makes these folks laugh, they’ll give you $1,500.
September
American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship
Deadline: Sept. 1 (for high schoolers) and Jan. 1 (for graduates)
Available to: High school seniors and high school graduates intending to pursue a degree or trade school education.
Details: Fill out the form and potentially win $1,000. No essay required, but to enter to win, you’ll need to take a 5-minute tutorial on fire sprinklers.
October
Evans Scholarship for Caddies
Deadline: Oct. 15
Available to: Students with a minimum of two years experience as a golf caddy.
Details: This full-ride scholarship program is for students who have a proven and strong record as a golf caddy. Academics, financial need, and caddy record are all evaluated.
Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway Contest
Deadline: Oct. 17 or 18 (varies by year)
Available to: Non-NCAA collegiate students ages 18-24.
Details: Create a profile on the website and a 1-minute TikTok video sharing your idea for impacting the world with your degree. Winner will receive $100,000 payable for your college tuition or student loans. Winners of the top videos will compete in a football throwing contest during half-time at five college football championship games.
Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship
Deadline: Oct. 31
Available to: Students 14 years or older.
Details: Win $2,000 annually if you can devise and share a 250-word plan to save your school from a zombie apocalypse.
RELATED: The Best Credit Cards for College Students in 2023
November
Chick-fil-A Community Scholars Program
Deadline: Nov. 1 (applications open Aug. 8)
Available to: Current or prospective postsecondary undergraduate or graduate students (for the 2024-2025 academic year) who can demonstrate financial need.
Details: Up to three recommendation letters are accepted, and applicants must show how they’ve made an impact in their community service within 12 months of the application. Current Chick-fil-A employees, their spouses or dependents aren’t allowed to apply. There will be at least 12 scholarships of $25,000 awarded in spring 2025.
Ayn Rand Institute Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Deadline: Nov. 6
Available to: High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate college students.
Details: Like the other Ayn Rand essay contests, you can win up to $10,000 by writing an essay (800-1600 words) on the book Atlas Shrugged.
ServiceScape Scholarship
Deadline: Nov. 29
Available to: Students who are attending or who will attend an accredited college, university, or trade school.
Details: Applicants should fill out the application form and submit a 300-word essay on the following topic: How does writing impact today’s world? The scholarship will be in the amount of $1,000 to be paid toward the educational certification/degree program of the winner’s choice.
December
UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship
Deadline: Dec. 1 (opens Oct. 1)
Available to: American puppeteers seeking advanced education outside of the country
Details: Winners can use their $1,500 prize money any time for courses or other training. But applicants should be experienced and have a college degree in puppetry.
Worthy Women’s Scholarship
Deadline: Dec. 4
Available to: Female undergraduates who are at least 30 years old. Must be enrolled in a continuing education professional studies program.
Details: Win up to $2,500 for your 300-500 word essay on one of three quotes on dream, guidance, or culture.
Comedy Defensive Driving Scholarship
Deadline: Dec. 31
Available to: Students planning to attend or currently attending an accredited college.
Details: Win $1,500 for creating an advertisement about distracted driving. Humor is welcome for this award.
Bonus: Regional Scholarships
Are you lucky enough to live in these areas and qualify for these scholarships?
Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship
Deadline: April 15
Available to: High school students considering a major in theater arts in the SETC region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia).
Details: The $2,000 award is given based on financial need, interest in theater arts, personal letter, reference letters, and academic excellence.
Twins Days Festival Committee Scholarships
Deadline: Varies by award
Available to: Twins in general and Ohio-based Twinsburg High School graduating seniors with high academic marks and proven community service.
Details: All three of the scholarship programs look for exceptional community service and school contributions. Cash prizes range from $500 to $1,500.
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