Not every scholarship requires great grades or impressive talents. Many scholarships have unique requirements that someone is bound to match. 

What are Some Unusual SCHOLARHIPS FOR COLLEGE?

There are scholarships for amateur radio operators, asthma patients, bowlers, knitters, children of veterans, choral singers, debaters, entrepreneurs, farmers, French speakers, gardeners, golfers, horseback riders, band members, water skiers, and workers at McDonald's restaurants, just to name several! 

Some scholarships are just plain wacky, such as the Duck Brand duct tape "Stuck at Prom" Scholarship Contest, which provides scholarships to students with the most creative prom outfit made entirely of duct tape. 

How to Qualify for UNUSUAL Scholarships

Any of your unique interests and qualities could make you eligible for scholarship money. Think about your hobbies, memberships, ethnicity, heritage, hometown and county, languages, employers, future career, and anything else that sets you apart. In general, the more local or more unique the scholarship, the better your chances may be. 

And don't forget your parents. Their employers, professions, military service, memberships, and even the colleges they attended may make you eligible.

How to Find Unusual Scholarships

• Look for scholarships that don't focus on "scholarship." Many scholarships require only average grades, and/or have non-academic qualifications that are relatively easy to meet, such as your religious beliefs, ethnicity, and geographic location. For example, there may be a scholarship just for students who live in your hometown!

• Look for scholarships that aren't called "scholarships". Many colleges and private groups give students cash awards that aren't technically scholarships. For instance, a student may receive an award for submitting a winning poem, essay, or live performance. 1st Financial Bank USA, which has provided the CollegeData college advising service for more than 25 years, sponsors the $2,000 Financial Goals Scholarship, which students enter by writing an essay.

So, if traditional scholarships feel out of reach, don't give up. Look for awards that recognize your hobbies, background, or quirky talents. The perfect scholarship might be out there – and waiting for someone exactly like you.