Scholarships

Scholarships for Unusual Talents & Hobbies

Elizabeth Hoyt

May 01, 2016

Scholarships for Unusual Talents & Hobbies
There's a scholarship for just about everything and everyone - even the most offbeat talents and hobbies!
You may not realize it, but some of your talents probably qualify you for scholarships. You likely don’t realize this because many of these “talents” aren’t considered special or unique by those who possess them. Most often, they are seen by students as hobbies or extracurricular activities. But, you know who does think they’re special? Scholarship providers. Not only do they recognize your talents and skills are special, but they are willing to reward you by helping you pay for school because of them! These types of talents and skills are unusual and, perhaps even random, but that’s part of what makes these scholarship opportunities easier for very specific students to qualify for – and win.
Also, don’t forget to add any random hobbies or lifestyle activities to your Fastweb profile because there are plenty more scholarships than those listed below! Check out the following examples of scholarships for students with an unusual talent:

Gene Roddenberry Memorial/Sir Patrick Stewart Scholarship for Aspiring Writers and Artists

Deadline: 6/15/16
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $1,000 Sponsored by Starfleet Academy, the Gene Roddenberry Memorial/Sir Patrick Stewart Scholarship for Aspiring Writers and Artists is available to students pursuing studies in acting, dance, music, writing, literature, graphic arts and other media related fields.
Applicants must be members in good standing with STARFLEET and must have been so, for at least one (1) year before the application deadline. Learn more about the Gene Roddenberry Memorial/Sir Patrick Stewart Scholarship for Aspiring Writers and Artists.

James Doohan/Montgomery Scott Engineering and Technology Scholarship

Deadline: 6/15/16
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $1,000 Sponsored by Starfleet Academy, the James Doohan/Montgomery Scott Engineering and Technology Scholarship is available to students pursuing engineering or technology studies. Applicants must be members in good standing with STARFLEET and must have been so, for at least one (1) year before the application deadline. Learn more about the James Doohan/Montgomery Scott Engineering and Technology Scholarship.

Armin Shimerman/George Takei/LeVar Burton Scholarship for Business, Language Studies and Education

Deadline: 6/15/16
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $1,000 Sponsored by Starfleet Academy, the Armin Shimerman/George Takei/LeVar Burton Scholarship for Business, Language Studies and Education is available to students pursuing studies in business management, foreign languages, teaching and other related fields. Applicants must be members in good standing with STARFLEET and must have been so, for at least one (1) year before the application deadline. Learn more about the Armin Shimerman/George Takei/LeVar Burton Scholarship for Business, Language Studies and Education.

DeForest Kelley/Dr. Leonard McCoy Medical Scholarship

Deadline: 6/15/16
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $1,000 Sponsored by Starfleet Academy, the DeForest Kelley/Dr. Leonard McCoy Medical Scholarship is available to students pursuing medical or veterinary studies. Applicants must be members in good standing with STARFLEET and must have been so, for at least one (1) year before the application deadline. Learn more about the DeForest Kelley/Dr. Leonard McCoy Medical Scholarship.

Space Explorers' Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: 6/15/16
Available to: College Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $1,000 Sponsored by Starfleet Academy, the Space Explorers' Memorial Scholarship is available to students pursuing studies in a field that may not be covered by one of the other STARFLEET scholarship types (engineering, medicine, art, business). Applicants must be members in good standing with STARFLEET and must have been so, for at least one (1) year before the application deadline. Learn more about the Space Explorers' Memorial Scholarship.

Bryce Thomson Scholarship Award

Deadline: 8/26/16
Available to: High School Seniors through College Juniors
Award Amount: 10 Awards from $1,000-$3,500 Provided by the National Ice Cream Retailers Association, the Bryce Thomson Scholarship Award is available to high school seniors and college freshman, sophomores and juniors. You must be employed by an active National Ice Cream Retailers Association member in good standing and demonstrate academic excellence and financial need in order to be considered for this award. Learn more about the Bryce Thomson Scholarship Award.

CKSF Scholarship Competition

Deadline: Varies
Available to: High School Freshmen through Graduate Students, Year 5
Award Amount: $2,500 The CKSF Scholarships are available to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in the U.S. You must register to participate in scholarship quizzes that test your knowledge of topics ranging from general "common knowledge" to specific academic subjects, books, websites, and even movies. You will be scored based on a combination of time and accuracy. Students with the highest scores at the end of each competition win. Learn more about the CKSF Scholarship Competition.

Rodeo Club Scholarship

Deadline: Varies
Available To:College Freshmen
Award Amount: Varies The Rodeo Club Scholarship is open to entering freshmen or transfer students enrolled in the Michigan State University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. You must be majoring in animal science, be enrolled full time, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be planning to participate in the Rodeo Club NIRA sanctioned events to be eligible for this award. Get more information on the Rodeo Club Scholarship.

Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest

Deadline: Varies
Available to: High School Seniors
Award Amount: $2,000
The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest is available to high school seniors who demonstrate talent in duck calling. You must participate in a duck calling contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas to be considered for this award. Get more information on the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest.

Dutchess Heritage Quilters Scholarship

Deadline: Varies
Available to: College Freshmen through College Sophomores
Award Amount: $1,200 The Dutchess Heritage Quilters Scholarship is available to full-time non-traditional students at Dutchess Community College. You must be enrolled in either the performing or visual arts programs or the communications program to qualify for this award. Get more information on the Dutchess Heritage Quilters Scholarship.

Optimist International Oratorical Contest

Deadline: Varies
Available To: Maximum Age 18 Years
Award Amount: $2,500
The Optimist International Oratorical Contest is open to students under the age of 19. To be considered for this award, you must prepare a 4 to 5 minute speech on the topic, "How My Passions Impact the World" to be presented at your local Optimist Club's contest. Get more information on the Optimist International Oratorical Contest.

American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest


Deadline: Varies
Amount: $18,000
Ages: High School Freshmen through High School Seniors The National High School Oratorical Contest is open to junior high and high school students who are under the age of 20 and citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States. You must prepare an oration on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. A complete list of topics are available on the Legion's Web site. Each individual state winner certified into and participating in the first round of the national contest receives an additional $1,500 scholarship. Get more information on the American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.

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