So you want in on some of these weird scholarships? Believe it or not there is a method to this madness known as weird scholarships.

The way to approach it, though, is not to see if you can wedge yourself in to one of the categories for weird scholarships. No, that would be difficult, time-consuming and, well, weird.

The best way to find weird scholarships is to compile a list of unusual or weird interests and talents you may have. Then you can start your search in earnest. You may well be surprised by what you find.

Let’s say, for instance, you love french fries. Right about now you’re probably saying to yourself, ‘Are you kidding me? There’s a scholarship for eating french fries? I’m all over that.’ Actually, no there isn’t a scholarship for eating french fries. Even weird scholarships don’t go that far.

What there is, though, is the Potato Industry Scholarship. All you have to do to apply is have a desire to study potatoes. And, who knows, maybe they consider taste-testing french fries with twelve different types of ketchup studying potatoes.

Truth be told, many of what we consider standard scholarships today would be considered weird scholarships by many. Take minority scholarships, for example. What actually seems weirder, being given scholarship money to study potatoes or being given money because you were born with a particular color of skin?

One of the weirdest of the weird scholarships is the Nudist Research Library Scholarship. Of course, one of the conditions is that you must live in a nudist colony. And, no, fraternity houses don’t count.

Perhaps you didn’t like the rough-and-tumble sports and preferred to stay out of the fray and work on your marble skills. Well, you’re in luck. There is something called the National Marbles Tournament Scholarship. You may even be able to tell the ladies you’re at college on an athletic scholarship.

If you’re a fan of the Caddy Shack movies you’ll be happy to know that there is really a scholarship for caddies. It’s called the Chick Evans Caddy Scholarship. Frankly, this doesn’t sound that weird compared to some of the other weird scholarships. Now if there were a scholarship for dancing gophers…

What other weird scholarships are out there? How about scholarships for tall people? No, we’re not talking about basketball scholarships. And frankly, you don’t even have to be incredibly tall—5’10 for a woman, 6’2 for a man.

There is a culinary institute that will award a scholarship worth up to $25,000 for the best apple pie recipe. There is no truth to the rumor that they are giving partial scholarships to those willing to judge the contest.

Or how about this? The Fragrance Research Fund awards up to $50,000 for research in aromachology. Just follow your nose to a free education.

When it comes right down to it these weird scholarships aren’t all that weird at all. Most of them are just promoting something they believe in and they’re willing to financially support a like-minded and talented individual. The question is, “Are you weird enough to qualify for some weird scholarships?”

 

Other scholarships you may want to know