Joining Starfleet can earn you a scholarship for college

We all know that Starfleet Academy isn't real. If it were, a lot of Star Trek fans would have signed up by now, and, most likely, even those who aren't familiar with the academy dedicated to turning out top Starfleet officers. Who wouldn't want a chance to help grow the future? To explore space and meet new races? And to spend years at a time on a starship? That sounds like the epitome of heaven for a lot of us.

While Starfleet nor the Academy is real, though, there is Starfleet International which is, accoridng to its website, the largest and longest-running Star Trek fan club. And included in that fan club is not only the ability to take nearly 1,000 courses that aren't just about Trek. You can learn about the functioning of Starfleet, but you can also learn how to trace your family tree. It's probably the closest thing to being in Starfleet Academy than we'll ever actually get.

On top of the other benefits the membership includes, one of the best is the potential to earn an academic scholarship of up to $1,000 if you're enrolled in a fee-requiring school. And you don't have to be enrolled in programs just related to space. They're open to students enrolled in veterinary medicine, theater arts, teaching, law enforcement, and more. A number of scholarships are awarded every year, but you must be a member in good standing of Starfleet International to apply.

Membership in Starfleet International starts at $10 annually for individuals and up to $22 for a family of 6. Once you're a member and have received your credentials, you can head on over to the Starfleet Scholarships portal to learn more about applying and what is required. This is a yearly academic award, and with the cost of college nowadays, every dollar can help!