When you’re headed to college, odds are good that you’ll do everything you can to gain the extra edge on your peers. One of the most popular ways students go about this is through scholarships, awarded for various reasons. Some are for students in specific majors, others for students from certain regions of the country, and others…well, they don’t seem to fit in one category. In the past, we’ve brought you a myriad of unique scholarships, and it’s about time we added to the collection. Here are three more weird and unique scholarships that you can apply for…if you feel you’re up to the challenge.
Clowns of America International Individual Education Scholarship
Flickr user Timothy Naseem
Deadline: Varying
Amount: Varying
We all remember our experiences as children, laughing at the antics of a clown in makeup with a seltzer bottle and a big red nose. If you feel that this might be a good line of work for you, here’s some good news. One of the world’s premier clown organizations, Clowns of America International (COAI), offers a number of scholarships through their education endowment program.
These scholarships include a financial award and automatic enrollment in a “family entertainment educational program,” which is like a clown training camp, for anywhere from one day to a week. The COAI Individual Education Scholarship offers an award in conjunction with a number of other clown schools.
UNIMA-USA Puppetry Scholarship
Flickr user Penn State
Deadline: December 15
Amount: $1,000
Remember Sesame Street and The Muppets? If you were an avid fan of Jim Henson’s beloved furry creatures, you probably can appreciate the amount of hard work that went on behind the scenes to make the puppets come to life. Many of these puppeteers got their start at schools like UNIMA-USA, the American chapter of the “Union Internationale de la Marionettes” (International Marionettes Union).
UNIMA-USA offers aspiring puppeteers a chance to make their bones in the industry in a school outside the US. The UNIMA has locations in London and Prague, among other international city centers. The recipients receive a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn under the masters of marionettes. Let’s just say that if you pull the right strings, this scholarship can be yours.
Mystery Writers of America Helen McCloy Scholarship
Flickr user Tony & Wayne
Deadline: TBD
Amount: $500
If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, and the likes, you might want to look into applying for this scholarship, offered by the Mystery Writers of America, the country’s largest organization of the genre’s authors.
To be eligible, you’ll need to submit a sample of your fiction writing in whatever form you’re comfortable with, as well as a short essay explaining your interest in the genre. The money awarded by the MWA will go directly to a writing workshop or seminar of your choice, where you can further cultivate your skills.
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| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
|
|
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
4.99% - 16.85% Variable
3.47% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
