Despite the fact that about 10 percent of the U.S. population identifies as southpaws, it’s very difficult to find left-handed scholarships. There are only five that are exclusively offered to lefties. However, there are thousands of unique scholarships that left-handed people can qualify for.
Left-handed students have different brain wirings than their right-handed peers that make them excel in certain avenues. An active right brain hemisphere often makes lefties more creative and musical than analytical or mathematical. Scholarships devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics, technology, and athletics could be perfect for you.
Left-handers are the minority, but many like Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, President Obama, Jerry Seinfeld, Lou Gehrig, and Michelangelo have found success. Follow in their footsteps by applying for these college scholarships where you’ll have the upper hand.
1. Andrew Macrina Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 31st
Valued at $2,500, the Andrew Macrina Scholarship Fund is available from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) for left-handed high school seniors who are accepted at an accredited college to study culinary or pastry arts. Exemplary applicants will hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, have participated in culinary competitions, be active in volunteer work, plan to become an ACF registered apprentice, submit two recommendations, and exhibit dedication to working as a chef.
Contact
Andrew Macrina Scholarship Fund
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL 32095
(904) 824-4468
educate@acfchefs.net
Scholarship Link
2. Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
Deadline: December 3rd
Lefties who have a strong commitment to community service could apply for the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship for $1,000. To qualify, candidates must be full-time high school seniors, live in a community served by Comcast, exhibit leadership abilities, plan to attend an accredited, non-profit college, be nominated by a principal or guidance counselor, and maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA. There’s also the one-time $5,000 Gustave G. Amsterdam Leadership Award for Philadelphia-area students.
Contact
Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
1701 JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(855) 670-4787
comcast@applyists.com
Scholarship Link
3. Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 10th
Six U.S. Presidents in the last century have been left-handed. If you have similar interests for majoring in political science, history, government, or economics, the Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship can provide $5,000. Each year, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) selects two worth college juniors and seniors with U.S. citizenship who have financial need and academic merit for attending any accredited four-year university nationwide. Consider the Lucinda Beneventi Findley History Scholarship too.
Contact
Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
4242 Greentree Way
Sand Springs, OK 74063
(800) 449-1776
Scholarship Link
4. ESA Foundation Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 1st
Since 2007, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation Scholarship has been offered to right-handed and left-handed students who are enrolling full-time in an accredited bachelor’s program leading to a career in computer or video game arts. Up to 30 scholarships are awarded for $3,000 apiece each year. Qualified applicants must be women or minority students, have U.S. citizenship, display creative technical skills, and possess a minimum college GPA of 2.75.
Contact
ESA Foundation Scholarship Program
575 7th Street NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 223-2400
esafinfo@theesa.com
Scholarship Link
5. Frank J. Richter Scholarship Award
Deadline: July 7th
The American Association of Railroad Superintendants (AARS) gifts some unique scholarships, including the Frank J. Richter Scholarship Award for $1,000. Interested left-handers must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college in the United States or Canada, have attained at least sophomore standing, achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA, submit two recommendations, and write a narrative statement. Preference is given to students who are enrolled in majors relevant to the transportation field.
Contact
Frank J. Richter Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 200
La Fox, IL 60147
(331) 643-3369
aars@supt.org
Scholarship Link
6. Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
One of the few scholarships for left-handed students is the Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship, which was created in 1979 at Juniata College in Pennsylvania. Worth $1,000 to $1,500 annually, this scholarship is reserved for lefties who have completed at least their freshman year at Juniata with top academic achievement above the 3.3 GPA mark and campus leadership. Applications must include two personal references, proof of financial need, and certification of grades.
Contact
Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship
1700 Moore Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
(814) 641-3132
wallj@juniata.edu
Scholarship Link
7. Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship
Deadline: April 29th
Administered by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship could provide $3,000 to creative left-handers who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in drama, music, opera, theatre, and other performing arts. Eligibility criteria require applicants to be African American, be U.S. citizens or legal residents, attend an accredited college full-time, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, show leadership ability, and submit a two-minute visual recording sample.
Contact
Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship
1720 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 263-2800
scholarships@cbcfinc.org
Scholarship Link
8. James Beard Foundation National Scholarships
Deadline: May 15th
As one of the most lucrative left-handed scholarships, the James Beard Foundation National Scholarships is awarded for $20,000 yearly to food-focused students who are attending participating U.S. colleges to study culinary arts, food science, hospitality management, agriculture, and similar majors. One recipient is chosen from ten geographic regions across the nation. Selection is based on leadership, community service, academic merit, and career goals in the culinary world.
Contact
James Beard Foundation National Scholarships
167 West 12st Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 255-8455
info@jamesbeard.org
Scholarship Link
9. James River Church Left-Handed Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
In partnership with Evangel University, the James River Church (JRC) awards the Left-Handed Scholarship for $500 annually to southpaws who are pursuing the associate degree in leadership from the JRC Leadership Campus. Eligible applicants must show their artistic ability by writing a 500-word essay about being left-handed or submitting a portfolio of drawing, painting, photography, or graphic design creations. Scholarship funding is distributed evenly across the program’s four semesters.
Contact
James River Church Left-Handed Scholarship
6100 North 19th Street
Ozark, MO 65721
(417) 581-5433
jrlc@jamesriver.org
Scholarship Link
10. John Kitt Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Perhaps the most unique scholarships available for lefties are granted by the American Association of Candy Technologists (AACT), including the John Kitt Memorial Scholarship. For $5,000, qualified candidates must be at least sophomores attending a four-year North American university to major in food science, chemistry, biology, nutrition, culinary arts, or related fields. Left-handers interested in applying must display genuine commitment to a career in the confectionary industry.
Contact
John Kitt Memorial Scholarship
711 W Water Street
P.O. Box 266
Princeton, WI 54968
(920) 295-6959
kevins@warrellcorp.com
Scholarship Link
11. Ken C. Hicks Scholarship Program
Deadline: December 17th
Funded by Foot Locker, the Ken C. Hicks Scholarship Program awards 20 scholarships for $20,000 to student-athletes who are graduating from high school and pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. university. Left-handers can apply if they’re U.S. citizens or permanent residents, actively involved in varsity sports or intramurals, holding an unweighted GPA of 3.0, highly motivated, passionate about community service, and not employed by Foot Locker.
Contact
Ken C. Hicks Scholarship Program
19 West 21st Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(212) 254-2390
footlocker@tmiagency.org
Scholarship Link
12. Lawyers Plus Southpaw Scholarship
Deadline: July 31st
Started by a Last Vegas-based personal injury law firm, the Lawyers Plus Southpaw Scholarship is awarded for $1,500 annually to left-handed high school, college, and graduate students who are enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution. Applicants must record a two-minute video via smartphone or digital camera discussing how left-handedness affected their education experiences. Submissions will be judged based on creativity, humor, passion, and overall quality.
Contact
Lawyers Plus Southpaw Scholarship
10120 South Eastern Avenue Suite 140
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 912-4451
info@laywers-plus.com
Scholarship Link
13. Michael Yasick ADHD Scholarship
Deadline: March 9th
Left-handedness has been linked to an increased risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. If you’ve been diagnosed with this neurodevelopmental disability, the Michael Yasick ADHD Scholarship can provide $2,000 for college and pre-paid coaching services from the Edge Foundation. To apply, candidates must be legal U.S. residents, be accepted into a two- or four-year post-secondary program at an accredited college, and submit medical documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.
Contact
Michael Yasick ADHD Scholarship
300 Shire Way
Lexington, MA 02421
(855) 474-4732
ssantiamo@npsp.com
Scholarship Link
14. MRCA Foundation Left-Handed Scholarship
Deadline: July 1st
Another of the scholarships for left-handed students is granted by the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) each year for $500 to $3,000. Eligible southpaws must be majoring in trade-related majors, such as architecture, engineering, industrial design, material science, construction, or metallurgy. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, maintain full-time study, attend an accredited U.S. college or technical school, carry a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have employment experience in construction.
Contact
MRCA Foundation Left-Handed Scholarship
2077 Embury Park Road
Dayton, OH 45414
(800) 497-6722
mmiller@mrca.org
Scholarship Link
15. Pickard Parry PFAU Southpaw Scholarship
Deadline: July 31st
Annually, the Pickard Parry PFAU attorney office promotes higher education by awarding the $1,500 Southpaw Scholarship to left-handed high school seniors and college students who are pursuing any major with outstanding academic merit. Eligible candidates must enroll full-time at accredited colleges, have unmet financial need, and be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Online applications must be accompanied by a brief one- to two-minute YouTube video about being left-handed.
Contact
Pickard Parry PFAU Southpaw Scholarship
10120 South Eastern Avenue
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 910-4300
info@pickardparry.com
Scholarship Link
16. Rick Chace Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: May 15th
The Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) funds the Rick Chace Foundation Scholarship every spring to award $4,000 to full-time graduate students who are pursuing advanced degrees in moving image studies, information science, archival administration, museum studies, film science, or related fields. Left-handers who attend an accredited U.S. college, hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, display creative leadership potential, and write a 1,000-word essay on interests in moving image archiving can apply.
Contact
Rick Chace Foundation Scholarship
1313 North Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 463-1500
AMIA@amianet.org
Scholarship Link
17. Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 25th
Animal lovers who are left-handed may want to apply for the Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship, which is bestowed by The Humane Society each year for $3,500. Qualified applicants must be graduating high school seniors, live in New England, be accepted at an accredited U.S. college, display a humane attitude, and be actively involved in animal protection organizations. Online applications must include documentation of animal-related rescue activities and three letters of recommendation.
Contact
Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship
2100 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 452-1100
donorcare@humanesociety.org
Scholarship Link
18. Students Rising Above Scholarships
Deadline: March 4th
The Students Rising Above (SRA) Scholarships are granted to at least 100 high school juniors who come from low-income families and show tremendous character in overcoming obstacles, such as homelessness, child abuse, or parental death. Right- or left-handed students living in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area can apply. Other required criteria includes achieving a cumulative 3.0 GPA, being enrolled in a bachelor’s program, and being highly recommended by a mentor or counselor.
Contact
Students Rising Above Scholarships
P.O. Box 29174
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 333-4222
selection@studentsrisingabove.org
Scholarship Link
19. Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
Lefties who foresee a career in scientific research could obtain the Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship, which provides $5,000 to four and $10,000 to two exemplary college students. Eligible undergraduate or graduate scholars must have declared majors in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related life science at accredited U.S. universities with a cumulative GPA above 3.0. Applications must include a transcript, resume, two recommendations, and 1,000-character short answer response.
Contact
Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship
3747 North Meridian Road
Rockford, IL 61101
(800) 955-6288
AntibodyScholarship@thermofisher.com
Scholarship Link
20. Wendy Jackson Hall Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Artistic left-handed students with unmet need could receive the two-year Wendy Jackson Hall Memorial Scholarship for $15,000 in honor of a Seattle animator who worked for ASIFA Hollywood before her untimely death. The Bainbridge Community Foundation looks for recipients who are graduating high school seniors, live in Washington, are accepted into visual art programs at accredited U.S. institutes, maintain a minimum GPA higher than 3.0, and display exceptional creative talent.
Contact
Wendy Jackson Hall Memorial Scholarship
221 Winslow Way West Suite 305
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
scholarship@jacksonhall.com
Scholarship Link
Being left-handed is harder than most people think. Throughout your schooling, you’ve had to uncomfortably adapt with desks, scissors, pencil sharpeners, computer mice, and three-ring binders designed for right-handers. The next obstacle to overcome will be college tuition. Rising costs make it essential to find unique scholarships for free financial aid. Remember that scholarships for left-handed students are rare, so apply liberally for any awards you’re eligible for. The lack of divide between right-handed and left-handed scholarships means there’s potentially millions of dollars available to you.