Think you’re a big loser? Sub Pop wants to send you to college

Sub Pop, the label that fomented the grunge revolution and launched Nirvan aupon the world, is also a caring, sharing company, dedicated to ensuring that even those who have bypassed the traditional measures of success get a chance. In fact, it’s not willing to support winners in any way; instead it is offering college funding to those who have suffered failures.

The label has been offering “loser scholarships” each year since 2007, and now this year’s loser scholarships have been unveiled. The good news: those eligible can secure thousands of dollars of financial help. The bad news: only high school seniors resident in the states of Washington and Oregon are eligible.

Sub Pop Records in Seattle, WA is offering a grand total of $15,000 worth of college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. There are three scholarships—one for $7,000, one for $5,000 and one for $3,000. As longtime and proud losers ourselves, we’re exceedingly happy to be able, in some small way, to help further the education of art-enthused misfits from the NW.

Applicants must be a resident of Washington or Oregon, and a graduating senior on your way to full-time enrollment at an accredited university or college. We are looking for applicants who are involved and/or interested in music and/or the creative arts in some way. However, you do not need to be pursuing an education in the arts.

To apply you must submit an essay, one page or less, using any combination of the following questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Please list the school you are graduating from and the school you plan to attend in the fall at the top of your essay along with your contact information.

– What are you doing in the arts/music field in your community?

– What does being a Sub Pop ‘Loser’ mean to you?

– What are your influences and/or who inspired you to become involved in the arts?

– Describe your biggest failure and explain how it has brought you closer to your goal(s).

– Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.

– How has your family or community background affected the way you see the world?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to send digital links and/or provide hard copies of their artwork along with their essay (they have never had a winner who submitted only an essay). However, please be aware that Sub Pop will not return any of this material, so please don’t send originals. Sub Pop will give equal opportunity to all applicants who fit the criteria outlined above. The deadline for applications is Sunday, March 20th.

All submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by March 20th, 2016. They will announce the scholarship winners on April 12th.

Via The Guardian