Not all scholarships specifically pertain to academics or financial need. If you have an obscure interest, talent, or physical attribute, you may be eligible for some interesting scholarships.

Physical Characteristics

• Tall Clubs International Scholarship. Do you tower over your peers? If so, you may be eligible to apply for a TCI scholarship. The height requirement minimums for this award are 5’10” for females and 6’2” for males. Scholarship awards are $1,000 each. Check out tall.org for scholarship requirements and procedures.
• Little People of America Scholarship. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you are 4’10” or under, you may qualify for a LPA scholarship. The LPA association awards scholarship assistance of $250-$1000 to eligible members and their families. Visit lpaonline.org for more information about this scholarship award.
• National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program. If you are legally blind in both eyes and meet other requirements, you could be eligible for the NFB scholarship. The NFB gives thirty scholarship awards each year to recognize achievement by blind scholars. Go to nfb.org for more information and to apply for this scholarship.

Essay Contests

• Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go College Scholarship Program. This scholarship is for the high school senior who understands the limitless possibilities that education can offer and who can effectively articulate this in a creative format. The requirements for this scholarship varies from year to year. In previous years, applicants have had to write an essay, write a letter, or submit original artwork. Visit http://origin-www.seussville.com/ohtheplaces/ for the specific guidelines and requirements for this year.
• National Peace Essay Contest. Are world peace and the growth of freedom and justice important to you? If so, you may be interested in entering the National Peace Essay Contest. Each winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship and an invitation to Washington, D.C. for an all-expense paid, five-day seminar. Visit usip.org for the essay topic and contest rules.
• John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest. Which U.S. elected public official do you think has demonstrated political courage? Describe and analyze the decisions, actions, and risks of the person you choose, and you could receive a $10,000 scholarship award. A second place winner receives a $1,000 cash award, and up to five finalists receive a $500 cash award. Check out jfklibrary.org for more details.

Extracurricular Activities

• Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship. If you are a vegetarian student (you do not eat meat, fowl, or fish) who has promoted vegetarianism in your school or community, then you should apply for this scholarship. Two awards of $5,000 each will be given. Visit vrg.org for scholarship entry rules.
• Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. If you have a creative mind or you just want to have some fun, then this scholarship contest is for you! Contest participants must enter as a couple and attend their high school prom wearing complete attire or accessories made from duct tape. Each individual member of the First Place winning couple will receive a cash scholarship of $5,000. The Second Place winning couple will receive $3,000 each, and the Third Place winning couple will receive $2,000 each. Each individual member of the Runners Up winning couples will receive a cash prize of $500. This contest is available each spring. Please visit stuckatprom.com for more information.
• Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) Award. This scholarship educates teens on making smart decisions, such as drinking low fat milk, eating right, and staying active. If you are a senior student athlete who excels in academics, athletics, community service, leadership, and includes milk as part of a healthy diet, then you should apply. Twenty-five winners will receive a $7,500 scholarship, attend an awards ceremony with celebrity guests, and appear in their own milk mustache ad in USA TODAY. Visit bodybymilk.com for more details.
• McDonald’s USA National Employee Scholarship Program. Work at McDonald’s? Be sure to apply for this scholarship. Each academic year, the McDonald’s National Employee Scholarship Program selects one outstanding student-employee applicant from each state and the District of Columbia. Winners receive a $2,500 scholarship. In addition, three student-employees who show the highest commitment to school, work, and community service are named “McScholar of the Year” and are each awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Visit mcdonalds.com for eligibility requirements.

Random Drawings

• eCampusTours $1,000 Scholarship Giveaway. By filling out an online registration form or sending your information via mail, you can enter into the Scholarship Giveaway from eCampusTours.com. Two winners are selected in a random drawing, and each will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Register now for your chance to win.
• College Toolkit Scholarship Contest. Collegetoolkit.com also runs random $1,000 scholarship contests. All high school and college students are eligible to participate. Visit collegetoolkit.com for more information.
• Christian College Scholarship Drawing. The Christian Connector, Inc. provides four different scholarships per year to be used at eligible Christian colleges. Enter online at christianconnector.com for your chance to win a $2,500 undergrad scholarship or a $1,000 graduate scholarship.
• American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Program. To be eligible for this scholarship, just read an essay about fire sprinklers and take an “open-book” multiple choice test. Each question that you answer correctly will enter you into a drawing for one of ten $2,000 scholarships. If you answer all ten questions correctly, then you will have ten chances to win. Check out afsascholarship.org to read the essay and take the online quiz.

Even if none of these scholarships apply or appeal to you, the moral of this story is that with a little creative investigating, you may find money for college in unexpected places. Your grades and test scores might not put you at the head of the class, but that doesn’t mean that your other unique qualities aren’t appreciated. There are reputable scholarship resources all over the Internet—you just have to look!

Scholarships can be found in a variety of places. You just have to take the time to look. Use these methods to find scholarship opportunities to help with your higher education expenses.

Perform online scholarship searches. Online scholarship searches, such as the one provided on eCampusTours, are research tools that can help you find leads on potential scholarships for which you may want to apply. Because there are numerous scholarship searches available online, you have to make sure to use the ones that are legit and reliable. When utilizing online scholarship searches, make sure the service is free, the scholarship information provided is up-do-date, and the company providing the service does not sell, lease, or rent your information to third parties.

Obtain a scholarship reference book. Printed scholarship directories can be very helpful in your scholarship search. Visit your local library or bookstore and pick up the latest edition of a scholarship reference book. Be sure to choose a book that gives detailed descriptions of the requirements, award amounts, etc.

Utilize an Internet search engine. You may be pretty amazed by the amount of scholarships you can find just by using a search engine like Google or GoodSearch. The key is to search for very specific scholarship criteria. Don’t just type in “scholarships.” Think about your hobbies, extracurricular activities, physical characteristics, etc. and implement those into your search. For example, if one of your hobbies is skateboarding, try searching “scholarships for skateboarders.” Or if you suffer from allergies, search “scholarships for people with allergies.” You get the picture. Just think outside the box because you never know what you may find.

Ask your high school counselor. If you are still in high school, drop by the counseling office and inquire about scholarships. Your counselor should have a lot of information about local scholarships because scholarship sponsors often send out updates and announcements to nearby high schools. You should speak with your counselor early in the school year so he/she will be able to keep a look-out on any scholarships in which you may qualify. Be sure to give your counselor information about your extracurricular activities/talents and your family’s financial background.

Make inquiries at your college. If you are in college or know which college you would like to attend, be sure to find out what kind of scholarships are offered through the school. You should speak with someone in your academic department to find out if scholarships specific to your major are available. You should also contact the school’s financial aid office. A financial aid advisor will be able to help you learn whether you are eligible for any need-based scholarships or grants awarded directly from the school. College websites can also be very helpful. Look for scholarship information on the admissions and financial aid sections of the websites.

Research organizations and clubs in which you have been involved. What kind of organizations have you been involved with at school? National Honor Society? Future Business Leaders of America? Key Club? A sorority or fraternity? These types of organizations often offer educational scholarships to their members. Think about all of the extracurricular activities in which you are involved and then research the websites of those organizations.

Check with your employer. Do you have a part-time job? Many companies offer scholarship opportunities to their employees. For instance, companies such as McDonald’s, Walmart, and Cracker Barrel all offer scholarship opportunities for employees. Speak with someone in your HR department to see if scholarships are offered through your place of employment.

Tap into your parents’ network. You may be able to find scholarships through your parents’ network. Many companies and organizations often award scholarships to the children of their employees or members. Be sure to check with your parents’ place of employment as well as with any organizations or clubs to which your parents belong.

Check with local and national businesses. Many small businesses like to give back to their community via scholarship opportunities for students. Check with your city’s Chamber of Commerce for a list of local businesses and then visit their websites or place a phone call to see if these companies offer any scholarships. Large companies, like Coca-Cola and Best Buy, also offer scholarship awards so be sure to include national businesses during your search.

Contact community service organizations and civic groups. Service organizations and civic groups often hold fundraisers in their communities in order to offer scholarships to local students. Make some calls to your local Kiwanis club, Lions club, Jaycees, church, synagogue, mosque, etc. to inquire about available scholarships. Most community groups sponsor scholarships that are open to all students who live in the area so you usually don’t have to be a member of the organization to apply.

As you can see, there is a multitude of ways to find scholarship opportunities. You just have to put forth a little effort. Before you begin your scholarship search, be sure to read Steps For Getting a Scholarship and Watch Out For Scholarship Scams. Also, don’t forget to register for the $1,000 Scholarship Giveaway from eCampusTours.

Steps For Getting a College Scholarship

Start Early

• If possible, start the process at least two years before you need the gift aid.
• Always remember that you will be applying for college scholarships about a year before you will actually receive the gift aid.
• Get good grades.

Prepare Yourself

• Often, college scholarships are awarded to students who are involved in activities both in school and out of school. Well-rounded students have the best chance of receiving college scholarships.
• Many clubs and organizations have scholarships associated with them. Doing your research in the beginning may help you obtain more scholarships.

Do Research

• Figure out what makes you a special individual. This may include academics, volunteer work, athletics or your family background.
• Consider unique circumstances or conditions that might make you eligible for gift aid, such as being a foster child, having asthma, being a single parent or having a disability.
• College scholarship opportunities can be found in many places including financial aid offices, libraries, local civic organizations, your (or your parents’) employer, local businesses, your high school guidance office, or the Internet. Be sure to perform a free scholarship search and register for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship from eCampusTours.

Obtain Scholarship Applications and Scholarship Information

• After you collect all of the information about the college scholarships for which you are interested in applying, you will need to contact the organization.
• Some organizations will require that you contact them through the mail or via phone or email to request scholarship applications and other pertinent scholarship information. For most organizations, you will be able to download the scholarship applications and other information from their website, or you will be able to complete the scholarship application form online.
• Give the organization ample time to send you the necessary paperwork. Be aware of all deadlines associated with applying.

Apply

• Many organizations require information such as a completed scholarship application, an essay, recommendations, and/or a resume from each applicant. Make sure you have given yourself plenty of time to gather all of the required information.
• Most college scholarships will have deadlines for applying. You may want to keep a calendar with all of the deadlines listed so that you do not let any expire.
• Before you send in your completed scholarship application, make sure to double-check the spelling and grammar. Nothing looks worse on a scholarship application than a common spelling error.
• Remember that the scholarship application process takes time, and it could be months before you are notified of any awards. Be aware that some organizations will not send any follow-up correspondence if you do not receive the award.
• Always put your best effort into each application. Be neat and organized. First impressions count.

With your registration on eCampusTours.com, you can download a free copy of a free college funding guide called “How to Get Money for College”. This booklet contains updated financial aid information including information on Federal Pell Grant, amounts of aid, state aid, veteran affairs, vocational rehabilitation, student loan deductibility, and more.