10 Unique College Scholarships to Apply For: 2021 Edition

According to CollegeBoard, more than 70% of students receive grant aid to help pay for college.  Get a jump start on scholarship applications by visiting these unique scholarship opportunities.

1. Vince Jacknewitz Scholarship Program

Deadline:  March 31st, 2021
Award Amount:  (6) $1,500

Did you know some credit unions offer scholarships for their members?! It’s just another great benefit of being a member. The Together Credit Union Vince Jacknewitz Scholarship program offers six $1,500 scholarships to credit union members who are high school seniors.  The scholarship focuses on a three-page essay or a 60-90 second video.  Applicants must be accepted to an accredited college or university and provide high school transcripts (including first semester of senior year), letter of acceptance for the college of their choice, completed 2021 official application and a letter of recommendation from a teach or work/volunteer supervisor.

Apply Here: http://howdoyoucu.togethercu.org/blog/2021/1/15/10-unique-college-scholarships-to-apply-for

2. Doodle 4 Google

Deadline:  Friday, February 26th, 2021
Award Amount:  (1 National Winner) $30,000 scholarship with $50,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organization, Google hardware, and Google swag (4 National Finalists) $5,000 scholarship, Google hardware, and Google swag (multiple winners for State and Territory)

Use your imagination to create a Google Doodle based on what inner strength means to you. Students can work with whatever materials they choose, from crayons to clay and found objects, but all doodles must be entered using their entry form. See previous Google Doodle finalists here.

Apply Here: https://app.goingmerry.com/scholarships/doodle-for-google/6760

3. Stuck at Prom Scholarship

Deadline:  Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Award Amount:  (2) $10,000 and (2) $500 with Duck Brand Prize Packs

If you’ve seen pictures on social media of prom goers wearing dresses or tuxedos out of duct tape, this is probably why!  Stuck at Prom is sponsored by Duck Tape®, and eligibility requires your dress or tuxedo from prom to be made out of Duck Tape®.  Online voting to determine the finalists is from June 14th-June 25th.  After that, a closed panel of judges vote for the winners based on:  workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories, and use of Duck® Brand Duct Tape. 

View the official Stuck at Prom rules.

4.  Annual Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest

Deadline:  Tuesday, March 9th, 2021
Award Amount:  (1) $10,000

If you’re the creative type—whether it’s drawing by hand or designing graphic art online, The Gallery Collection has a scholarship for you!  Submit your original photo, artwork or computer graphics for the front of a greeting card online by March 9th, 2021.  The winner will be announces April 30th, 2018.  Ages 14 and up are eligible must be enrolled in an academic program during the time of the contest.

Apply Here: https://www.gallerycollection.com/greeting-cards-scholarship.htm
 

5. Unigo’s Superpower Scholarship

Deadline:  March 31, 2021
Award Amount:  (1) $2,500

Use your imagination to become the superhero—or supervillain—you’ve always wanted to be.  Applicants must be 13 or older, a legal resident of the U.S., and be currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education.  Simply submit an online response in 250 words or less to the question, “Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for a day and why?”

Apply Here: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/superpower-scholarship

6. Unigo $10K Scholarship

Deadline:  December 31, 2021
Award Amount:  (1) $10,000

Have you ever wondered how a famous historical figure would handle today’s technology?  From the same scholarship platform as the Superpower Scholarship, Unigo has a larger scholarship award with a longer deadline.  Applicants must be 13 or older, a legal resident of the U.S., and currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution.  

Submit an online response in 250 words or less to the question, “Imagine a historical figure is brought back to life.  Who is it?  What’s their favorite mobile app?”

Apply Here: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/unigo-10k-scholarship

7. IES Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants

Deadlines:  Multiple (Visit this page to see all scholarship and grant opportunities)
Award Amounts:    Vary

COVID has changed a lot of plans for students who would like to travel abroad, but for those who feel comfortable taking proper precautions to travel and apply for study abroad programs in 2021, this is the place to find any scholarships or grants to help fund your dreams.

You’ll need to officially apply to the IES program, and write a personal statement of no more than 500 words to describe your goals for studying abroad in your selected location and your background. They also require official financial aid documentation. Go here to see all the things you need to apply.

One application gets you access to nearly all of their scholarship and aid opportunities at one time. And yes, you can apply for their scholarships before applying for the program.

Apply to be a part of IES here: https://www.iesabroad.org/scholarships-aid/apply/application

8. Entertainment Software Association (ESA Foundation Scholarship Program) - 3 Scholarships

Deadline:  Applications have closed for 2020-2021 school year, 2021-2022 TBA
Award Amount:  Varies

The ESA Foundation scholarships help fund future creators in the video game industry and encourage diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. They have awarded nearly 400 scholarships since 2007 and are now offering multiple scholarships.

If you are considering a future in any of the fields above, this is a scholarship program you will want to keep your eye open for their 2021-2022 scholarship announcement.

Get more information on the ESA Foundation Scholarship Program.

9. Optimist International Essay Contest Scholarship Program

Deadline:  Sunday, February 28, 2021 and Thursday, April 15, 2021
Award Amount:  (1) $2,500

We believe the world could use more optimists. Optimist International serves local youth and communities with volunteer programs and scholarship opportunities.  Applicants must be youth under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020 located in the U.S., Canada, or the Caribbean.  All applicants must contact their local Optimist Club be emailing programs@optimist.org.  The Essay Contest topic for this year is, “Reaching Your Dreams by Choosing Optimism” 

Apply Here: https://www.optimist.org/member/scholarships3.cfm

10. Mattress Advisor Sleep Scholarship

Deadline: March 20th, 2021
Award: (1) $1,000

A scholarship for sleeping? Yep, you read that right. Applicants are asked to submit an 800-1000 word essay, quoting research from recent studies exploring sleep health and the impact it’s had on education—as well as include their personal relationship with sleep.

 Apply Here: https://www.mattressadvisor.com/sleep-scholarships/

Looking for other ways to finance your post-secondary education?  Check out our StudentChoice program to get access to additional resources such as educational webinars and interactive modules. 

Tell us about other scholarship programs you’ve found in the comment section below!