University and College Scholarships-

The search for just the right scholarship can be a daunting one, particularly for students who march to the beat of a different academic drummer. Luckily, amid the hundreds of thousands of avenues out there lies a hefty sum of strange and distinctive ways of acquiring cash for education. Below is a list of five such unusual scholarships for those in need of that extra special something.

1. Ancestral Scholarships: The Name Says it All

For some college scholarship foundations, what matters isn’t what you know, but who you are. The John Gatling Grant Program offers a full-ride North Carolina State University scholarship to students whose last names coincide with that of their benefactor, North Carolina native John Gatling.

Alternatively, a full-ride scholarship to Loyola University in Chicago is possible for any Catholic entrant with the last name of Zolp, and $1000 toward any American college is awarded yearly to interested students with any variation of the name Van Valkenburg.

2. Creative Writing with a Twist

While many conventional award programs require standardized essays from their applicants, scholarships such as the Ursinus College Creative Writing Award rejoice in only the most original efforts from within the literary world. In addition to $30,000 per academic year, each recipient is given the opportunity to live in the very dorm once occupied by famed “Catcher in the Rye” author J.D. Salinger, for whom the scholarship was originally named.

3. A Little Extra Cash from Starfleet Academy

The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc. has offered annual scholarships of up to $500 to active members of STARFLEET, a unique and educational fan community, for more than twenty years. Students enrolled in a variety of colleges may apply once they’ve maintained an active membership for at least a year prior to the established deadline.

4. In Celebration of the Common People

Perhaps the most atypical and inclusive financial assistance program active today is that of the Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation. Interested students can win quarterly awards ranging from $250 to $2,500 by simply logging on to the foundation’s web site and participating in year-round quizzes, the topics of which cover everything from general academia to the “Twilight” fantasy series. CKSF even offers parents the opportunity to test their “common knowledge” on behalf of their children.

5. When in Doubt, Do it Yourself

Crafty scholars of all ages may benefit from several grants and scholarships aimed at creative education, such as the multifaceted National Make it with Wool Competition. Entrants are invited to create and model their own garments made primarily from %100 wool or wool blends, the results of which could earn them $1000-$2000. Conversely, young couples attending almost any high school sanctioned prom in North America can enter to win the Stuck at Prom Duck Brand Duct Tape Scholarship, which awards $5000 each to the entrants with the most impressive formal ensembles constructed from Duck Brand Duct Tape. If handmade clothing isn’t quite your forte, The Gallery Collection also offers $10,000 annually for the creation of themed greeting cards.

These are just a few of the many unusual scholarships offered to unique individuals with singular needs. Whether you dream of becoming a flower show judge or have a passion for Dr. Who, the right College Scholarship is out there for you.