Key takeaways
- Physical attribute scholarships are awarded to students based on unique physical traits.
- Some physical attribute scholarships give awards to students based on height, hair color, or even having a birthmark.
- You can also apply for scholarships just for being a twin.
- Each scholarship has different requirements and may request a photo.
- There’s no such thing as applying to too many scholarships.
When you think of scholarships, it’s natural to think about awards for a high GPA or athletic abilities. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to your genes, you may be able to look into physical attribute scholarships! Let’s explore what you need to know about these unique scholarships and share a few you can consider.
What are physical attribute scholarships?
Physical attribute scholarships are awarded to students based on unique physical traits rather than merit. Some of them are given to students who are a certain height, have a certain hair color, or are left-handed instead of right-handed. You can even be eligible for having a birthmark or being a twin.
Many of these scholarships require proof of the traits you have, so you may have to send in a photo with your application. Getting one of these awards may be an easy way to help lower the cost of your college tuition.
4 scholarships for physical attributes
Here are a few you can check out today:
1. VBF Scholarships
- Award amount: $1,000 each
- Number of awards: Varies per scholarship
- Deadline: April 30
Description: The VBF Scholarship program provides awards for students who have or had a vascular birthmark or related condition. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student of an accredited U.S. university in the fall. Students who receive a VBF scholarship must conduct a “VBF Day” or another campaign to raise birthmark awareness.
This program includes the following scholarships:
- Linton Scholarship
- Linda Scholarship
- Roy G. Geronemus Humanitarian Scholarship
- Stuart Nelson Scholarship
- Frank Catalanotto Perseverance Scholarship
- Martin Mihm Health Career Scholarship
- Ana M. Duarte Empowering Women Scholarship
- Kiara & Alina Girls Empowerment Scholarship
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Submit your application.
- Provide a personal statement.
- Send a photo of your vascular birthmark, anomaly, or related syndrome.
- Permit VBF to use your name, photo, and/or story in articles or future scholarship materials.
- Send an official transcript.
- Submit two letters of recommendation (one from a teacher and another from an academic advisor).
2. Redhead Scholarship
- Award amount: $5,000
- Number of awards: Varies
- Deadline: April 30
Description: Are you a junior or senior in high school with natural red hair? If so, you may qualify for the Redhead Scholarship.
To apply, you need to send:
- An essay
- Your application
- Personal statement
- Transcript
- Photos showing your red hair (past and present)
3. Twins Day Festival Twins Scholarship
- Award amount: $2,000 ($1,000 for each twin)
- Number of awards: 2
- Deadline: July 5
Description: Twinsburg, Ohio, is the home of the Twins Day Festival. Each year, a set of twins is awarded $2,000 for them to split. The winning twins must be high school seniors who have participated in three of the last five Twins Day Festivals.
You and your twin will need to fill out applications and send:
- Academic transcripts
- GPA and record of class size
- 2 letters of recommendation that aren’t from relatives
- 300-word essay about being a twin
- Personal bio
- Photograph of yourself
4. Tall Clubs International Student Scholarships
- Award amount: The minimum amount is $1,000, but some scholarships are $2,000.
- Number of awards: 22
- Deadline: March 1
Description: If you’re taller than the above-average height, take a look at this opportunity. The Tall Clubs International Foundation awards scholarships to U.S. and Canadian students going to college for the first time. College-bound students under the age of 21 can apply if they’re a minimum height of 5’ 10’’ for women or 6’ 2’’ for men.
To apply, you need to:
- Fill out the application.
- Write a 550-650-word essay.
- Send your high school transcript (official transcript if you’re a finalist).
- Provide two letters of recommendation (at least one from a teacher).
Discover more scholarship opportunities
These are only a few examples of scholarships for physical attributes. Do you have any things about you that are not very common? You may want to start a search to see if there are any awards for your uniqueness. To find them, look through the internet and scholarship databases. You can also talk to your high school counselor or your college’s financial aid office.
Remember, there’s no such thing as applying for too many scholarships. And you can find many of them, including government, institutional, and private scholarships, right here with College Raptor’s FREE Scholarship Search tool.




