1. National Beef Ambassador Program: That’s right – now we’re talking about beef. If you’re able to give a presentation about beef nutrition and production, answer questions from judges after the presentation, and complete an interview –on the topic of beef – before a panel of judges, you may be eligible for $2500. You’ll also be invited to join the National Beef Ambassador Team, thus giving you the opportunity to speak at conferences and events. The deadline for your application is September 1. www.nationalbeefambassador.org

2. Stella Blum Student Research: Anybody majoring in Costume Design or conducting research on the topic is eligible for this $2000 given by the Costume Society of America. Winners receive an additional $500 to serve as stipend when they travel to the Costume Society’s National Symposium to present their completed research. In order to apply, students need to submit a myriad of documents, including a cover sheet, a brief abstract of their research proposal, a full proposal, a budget, formal proof of enrollment, two recommendations, and a letter of permission from the research facility. Applications must be postmarked by May 1. www.costumesocietyamerica.com/grantsawards/stellablum.html

3. David L. Boren Undergraduate Program: $20,000 and a full academic year studying abroad can be awarded to recipients of the Boren Undergraduate Program (Scholarship/Grant). Students only planning on studying abroad for one semester are eligible for the $10,000 scholarship. These applications you’ve got to get in early – February 11 – but those who get their plan figured out in time could find themselves studying abroad for an entire semester or year on David Boren’s dime. www.borenawards.org

4. Evans Scholars Foundation: This privately funded program has been in operation since 1930 and awards roughly 200 golf caddies with one-year stipends that cover tuition and housing. In order to be eligible, caddies must be good students, have a financial need, demonstrate exceptional character, and be highly regarded for their caddying skills. Think Caddyshack. http://www.evansscholarsfoundation.com/

5. Casey Martin Award: Tiger Woods’ old college teammate wasn’t able to compete on the PGA level because of a crippling leg disease that required he use a golf cart to move about the course. Sponsored by Nike, the program in his name gives money to one disabled athlete each year. http://www.scholarshipsearchtool.com/scholarships/1259/1/_blank/Nike-Casey-Martin-Award.html

6. Ruth Simms Hamilton: If you’ve got a 3.5 GPA or higher and have written a paper on an aspect of the African Diaspora, you may be eligible for one of four awards given to promote the studies in the region. These awards are renewable each year and are offered to students from all countries. http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org/

7. Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year: Seriously, how can an award be named the Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year? This stipend gives 25 high school students $7,500 annually to students of good academic standing who have also proven themselves in the community, on the athletic field, and as leaders. Presented by the National Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign, the deadline each year is March 10. www.bodybymilk.com/sammy_scholarship.php

8. Gillium: Available only at UNC-Greensboro, this awards incoming students in need from Burke County, North Carolina, majoring in HES or education with financial aid. Get more information at. http://fia.uncg.edu/scholarships/general.htm

9. American Association of Petroleum Geologists: This may be for you if you’re a graduate student whose thesis research is based in the field of petroleum or energy-mineral resources development. And you could get up to $3,000 to help cover expenses directly related to your thesis work. http://foundation.aapg.org/gia/faq.cfm

10. Pell: This one’s federal, actually, one that provides low-income undergrads with a chance to pay for school at one of 5,400 participating colleges and universities. Since the only qualifying factors pertain to your financial standing, Pells help pay for college, in the most general sense of the term. You can apply by filling out an FAFSA. http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

11. Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation – Fellowships for Caricature and Cartoon: Caroline and Erwin Swann must have been avid readers of the comics every morning, because their foundation awards Ph.D. students working on a dissertation focusing on cartoon and caricature with $15,000 every year. No joke. You just have to get your application in by mid-February. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swannhome.html

12. Governor’s Workforce Development: This one had free money written all over it, right? “Governor's,” “development." This particular award is out to help adult students through part-time studies, providing up to $2,000 a year per individual.

13. MyParkPhotos.org: Students with an interest in photography can apply –by submitting a portfolio of photos taken in a national, state, or provincial park with a 250 word essay on the subject of each photo – for this money, but they’ll have to deal with a very selective process. Only two recipients each year win the $1,000. http://www.myparkphotos.com/scholarship/

14. Zonta International: There are actually four different awards as part of the Zonta International program. It’s most substantial, the Michael J. Freeman (Scholarship/Grant) for Irish Women, offers a full tuition to Irish women studying in Ireland. Additionally, women can apply for the Amelia Earhart Fellowship, Jane M. Klausman Women in Business (Scholarships/Grants), and the Young Women in Public Affairs Awards. http://www.zonta.org/site/PageServer

15. Handweaver’s Guild of America: If you’re studying fiber arts there’s an award for you. The Handweaver’s Guild of America offers several student assistantships every year, each valued at $1,000 per year. As for the winners, the number varies, but you’ll never see more than 5 winners in a year. http://www.weavespindye.org/pages/?p=GrantsAndScholarships.html&loc=1-48-00

16. Future Farmers of America: Want proof that farmers like to promote from within? The Future Farmers of America award students with experience farming with a combined $2,000,000 – to be split among the many recipients each year. Imagine all the corn they must husk. http://www.ffa.org/index.cfm?method=c_programs.SAE

17. United States Bowling Congress: The United States Bowling Congress offers 14 different awards every year, for a number of different people falling into a number of different categories. For example, the Joyce Deitch Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals who have made important contributions to bowling by being motivators, visionaries, or innovators. The Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award, however, is based on skill and performance. Deadline dates vary. http://www.bowl.com/scholarships/main.aspx

18. Frederick and Mary F. Beckley: Available to Juniata College students only, this is available to any sophomore, junior or senior who demonstrates financial need in addition to one other component: the individual must be left-handed. Great payoff, though: recipients can earn up to $5,000 a year. http://www.scholarships.com/Frederick-Mary-Beckley-Left-Handed-Scholarship.aspx

19. Endangered Language Fund: Given to aid the process of keeping classic languages alive, the Endangered Language Fund provides money to students for expenses including consultant fees, films, and travel. Annually, funds average about $2,000 per person, and the deadline for applications is in late April. http://www.endangeredlanguagefund.org/request.html

20. MathMovesU: Anybody tutoring math at a middle or high school level is eligible to receive these funds. Three award winners in markets where Raytheon has a presence (AZ, CA, CO, FL, IN, MA, RI, TX and VA) and an additional five from the rest of the country are awarded $2,500 each year to help with their studies.