While unusual scholarships are among the most popular ways to fund an education, they are also frequently the most exclusive. These niche scholarships come with specific, sometimes strict eligibility requirements–but that is exactly what makes them easier to win…if you fit the requirements! Whether you have a rare talent or a quirky hobby, there is likely a unique scholarship out there for you.
We've organized this into common subcategories of "weird" awards, including creative talents, animal advocacy, physical characteristics, and more.
Illustrators of the Future Contest
The Illustrators of the Future Contest is open to new science fiction and fantasy artists. To be considered, you must submit three illustrations in a color or black - and - white medium created from your imagination. Each illustration must represent a subject different from the other two.CJ Pony Parts Scholarship Video Contest
The CJ Pony Parts Scholarship Video Contest is open to students who will be enrolling in post-secondary education. You must submit a video of up to three minutes responding to one of the prompts on the topic of Mustangs.American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship
The American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship is available to students pursuing a program in funeral service or mortuary science in an ABFSE-accredited program. You must have completed at least one semester/quarter of study and have at least one remaining before graduation to be eligible for this award.Design Your Space, Design Your Future Scholarship
The Design Your Space, Design Your Future Scholarship is available to high school seniors and undergraduate students. To be considered for this award, you must submit a 300 - word essay on one of the following topics: 1. The Psychology of Space 2. Sustainable Living Solutions 3. Future of Functionality.White Glove Moving and Storage Scholarship
The White Glove Moving and Storage Scholarship is available to high school seniors and college students. To be considered, you must submit a 500 - to 750 - word essay on the following topic: "The Most Challenging Move I Experienced and What It Taught Me."InspireCraft Scholarship
The InspireCraft Scholarship is available to students who are at least 18 years of age. You must demonstrate a passion for arts, crafts, and decoration, or a related field to be eligible for this award.Play Pokémon Scholarship Program
The Play! Pokémon Scholarship Program is open to students who are the top finishers in Play! Pokémon Events. You must be a full-time high school student or a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student at a qualified college or university in order to be considered for this award.UFDC Nancy Carlson Scholarship
The UFDC Nancy Carlson Scholarship is available to students interested in antique dolls, specifically composition dolls. You must submit a research topic and plan to be considered for this award.Be A Friend Project Scholarship
The Be A Friend Project Scholarship is available to high school students. To be considered, you must write a two - to four - page script of a lunchroom conversation between friends that is related to bullying. You must be following at least one of the sponsor's social media handles to be eligible for this award.Minecraft Scholarship
The Minecraft Scholarship is open to high school and college students. You must be a U.S. citizen, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and submit an essay of at least 500 words that details your opinion on how Minecraft can be a positive influence on education and career development to be considered for this award.Your Path to Matching with Unusual Scholarships
At Fastweb, we update our scholarship database daily to ensure you have access to the newest niche opportunities for the 2026-27 academic year. From inventors and knitters to golf caddies and more, new "weird" scholarships are added often. The best way to stay in the know about the exclusive awards is by maintaining an up-to-date Fastweb profile. The more detail you provide about your unique hobbies, traits, and skills, the better our matching engine can find the scholarships you qualify for. Don't leave money on the table; update your profile today to see your latest matches.You Might Also Like
Kathryn Knight Randolph
Associate Content Editor
Kathryn Knight Randolph covers trends in higher education, changes to admissions and financial aid practices, and the student experience. She is passionate about simplifying the college search and financia...
