Did you know that there are scholarships available just for persons who are left-handed? You might not realize that being a “southpaw” entitles you to have certain educational expenses paid, but there are some scholarships meant for lefties in particular with perhaps just a few other requirements you must meet!
Consider some vital information about those left-handed scholarships, and some suggestions for general scholarships as well. This information will ensure that you’re aware of all the financial help available to you when you’re ready to continue your schooling, no matter the hand you use to fill out your applications!
What are the Struggles of Left-handed Students?
While around 10 percent of the population is left-handed, they face a lot of struggles in a world where most things are for right-handed people. In schools, many desks are for right-handed students, and in some instances, left-handed students have to wait for their ‘special’ desks, derailing their studies. Additionally, many books are meant for western writing, which runs from left to right. It is very comfortable for right-handers as left-handers would easily smudge the ink. Other struggles range from how to operate right-handed stationery, computer tools, and sports equipment.
What are Some Fun Facts About Left-handed People?
Do you know there are things left-handed people can do so well, despite being a minority group? For starters, lefties are known to be faster in playing video games and other sporting activities requiring concurrent responses. Studies in science show the connection between the right and left brain being stronger in left-handed people. Furthermore, lefties are deemed more creative and hence dominate industries like art, writing, architecture, and music because they have a higher fluid intelligence.
See Also: Scholarships for Talented Athletes
Left-Handed Scholarships
1. The Frederick and Mary F Buckley Scholarship
The Frederick and Mary F Buckley Scholarship offers assistance of $1000 to $1500 for left-handed college students. However, you must enroll at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania!
Juniata College is a small, liberal arts school, the recipient of a $24,000 fund from former student Mary Francis Beckley. The scholarship began in 1979 and, since then, has assisted more than 40 left-handed students with financial aid. The scholarship is reserved for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and preference is given to those with a track record of academic success as well as financial need.
2. The Andrew Macrina Scholarship Fund
The American Culinary Federation offers the Andrew Macrina Scholarship Fund, valued at $2500. The scholarship is reserved for left-handed seniors accepted to study pastry or culinary arts at an accredited college of their choice.
Applicants must have entered past culinary competitions and maintain a 2.5 minimum GPA. They are also required to have been active in volunteer work and should plan on becoming an American Culinary Federation apprentice. They are also required to provide at least two recommendations and to have shown dedication to their work as an up-and-coming food or pastry chef.
3. The MRCA Foundation Left-Handed Scholarship
If you’re a southpaw interested in pursuing a trade-related major, or have an interest in architecture, engineering, construction, metallurgy, industrial design, or materials sciences, you might be eligible for the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Left-Handed Scholarship.
The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Left-Handed Scholarship is for students who are left-handed and looking to study any type of trade-related course. The scholarship amount is anywhere from $500 to $3000 per student.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, attend an accredited college or technical trade school, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, maintain full-time studies, and have some type of employment experience in construction or related trades.
See Also: Currently Open Scholarships
4. Pickard Parry PFAU Southpaw Scholarship
For southpaws interested in pursuing a degree, consider the Pickard Parry PFAU Southpaw Scholarship. This scholarship promotes higher education with a $1500 grant to left-handed seniors and college students who show outstanding merit in their academics.
To be eligible, you must enroll full-time at an accredited college, have some type of financial need, and be a U.S. citizen. If you apply online, you should also be prepared to submit a brief YouTube video about your experiences as a leftie!
5. Lawyers Plus Southpaw Scholarship
The Lawyers Plus Southpaw Scholarship awards $1500 to left-handed students enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institute of higher learning. To be eligible, all applicants must submit a short, one-minute or two-minute video talking about how their left-handedness has affected their life and educational experiences in particular. Applicants and their submissions are based on creativity, quality, passion, and humor.
6. James River Church Left-Handed Scholarship
The James River Church (JRC), in partnership with Evangel University, awards the Left-Handed Scholarship for $500 to lefties who wish to pursue an associate degree in leadership from the James River Church campus. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay about their left-handedness or should submit a portfolio of their drawings, paintings, photography work, or other such creative art. Funding for the scholarship is distributed across the course’s four semesters.
Check Also: Available Programs for International Students
Other Scholarships Available to Lefties and the Right-Handed
If you cannot find a left-handed scholarship for which you’re eligible, consider some of these added funding opportunities, available to both lefties and those who are right-handed.
7. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation Scholarship Program
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation Scholarship Program was founded in 2007, and is reserved for women and minorities who are interested in pursuing studies for a career in video game design or computer sciences. There are some 30 scholarships awarded for $3000 each, every year. Applicants are required to be U.S. citizens and have displayed strong technical and creative skills, while also having maintained a minimum 2.75 college GPA.
8. The Frank J. Richter Scholarship Award
If you’re interested in pursuing a major related to the field of transportation, you might be eligible for the American Association of Railroad Superintendants Frank J. Richter Scholarship Award. This scholarship offers $1000 to students enrolled fulltime in the U.S. or Canada. The applicant must be at least a sophomore, have a 2.75 minimum GPA, provide at least two recommendations. There is also an essay or statement required with their application.
9. The Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship
Reserved for African Americans pursuing a bachelor’s degree in drama, music, operate, theater, and other such performing arts, the Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship, provided by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, offers $3000 to students in any of those studies. The scholarship is limited to U.S. citizens attending a fulltime accredited college. Applicants must also demonstrate strong leadership ability and academic achievement, with a minimum 2.5 GPA. They should also be prepared to send in a brief video presentation with their application!
10. The James Beard Foundation National Scholarships
If you’re looking to pursue studies in the culinary arts, the James Beard Foundation National Scholarship is one of the most lucrative! This scholarship awards some $20,000 annually to students studying food science, agriculture, hospitality management, and other similar degree programs at an accredited U.S. college. Recipients are chosen from several geographic areas across the country. Their selection focuses on academic merit as well as the applicant’s career goals, strong leadership abilities, and even their record of community service.
The above scholarships provide an opportunity for left-handed people to pursue education without having to worry about tuition and other study costs. They range from fully funded opportunities to specific fields like culinary arts, drama, and leadership. You can also check our website for other country-specific funding opportunities to aid your studies in your discipline of interest.
We hope that you have found this list of left-handed scholarships to be useful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!
