Scholarships should always be number one on your list when it comes to paying for college—it’s money you don’t have to pay back! But do you know this common mix-up with scholarships? So many students think they’re just for star athletes and valedictorians. NOT true! There are scholarships out there for almost every hobby, accomplishment, background, career path, interest, and more. In fact, there are so many unexpected and unique scholarships that you’ve probably never even heard of.
A unique scholarship is any opportunity that's different from the usual GPA or athletic-based awards. These often come from niche organizations and focus on offbeat skills, interests, or personality traits. What makes them awesome? They often have fewer applicants—aka less competition—and a chance to get rewarded for being your wonderfully unique self.
Got a signature style? The Design Your Signature Hat Scholarship lets you dream up your ultimate headwear and submit your design for a chance to win $500. It’s perfect for students exploring fashion or design—just bring your creativity and best hat ideas.
If you always have your nose in a book (or five), this one’s for you. The Book Lovers Scholarship asks one simple question: what’s one book you think everyone should read—and why? Write about it, and you could win $500.
Got an eye for design? This scholarship by the Gallery Collection lets you create the front of a greeting card using photos, artwork, or digital graphics. If your card wins, you score $10,000. Yep, for a greeting card. Go wild with it.
This one rewards effort. To qualify, just apply for at least three scholarships and submit proof. That’s it. The Debt.com Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants gives $500 to someone who’s already out there chasing other scholarships. Bonus: you've already got three from this list.
Weird, wacky, and totally random scholarships are a game-changer. Not only do they give students more options, but they can also make applying for aid feel a little less boring and a lot more personal. Plus, because they’re not super well-known, there’s usually less competition.
Want more of these gems? Use Scholly Scholarships—a free tool that matches you with scholarships based on your interests, background, and goals. It's free and you don't even need to register. You can also check out our guide to easy scholarships to mix in quick wins with the unusual ones.
Winning a unique scholarship often comes down to showing passion and creativity. If the scholarship has an oddball topic or project, lean in. Judges love originality, so don’t be afraid to go full-on niche. And remember, a thoughtful application always beats a rushed one.
You don’t need to be class president or a straight-A student to earn free money for college. You just need to be you. So go ahead—apply for that hat-designing, book-loving, card-creating scholarship. Your uniqueness might just be your biggest advantage.