If you are about to be a college freshman, more than likely, you are looking for scholarships to help finance your education. Well, you're in luck – there are plenty of scholarships available specifically for freshmen on Unigo.com! This article will provide an overview of just some scholarships for college freshmen, including information on how to apply and how to meet eligibility requirements. So read on to learn more and start applying today!
It's never too early to get started. Scholarships for freshmen could assist with reducing student debts and reducing educational expenses such as tuition, living expenses, textbooks, laboratory fees, etc. The sooner you begin working toward it, the more you'll acquire benefits and the less money you'll have to pay off after your graduation.
$60,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 1
Deadline
Entering freshmen planning enroll full time at the University of Evansville in Indiana are eligible for this award. All international students who apply to the University of Evansville are considered for a scholarship.
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$9,000
Award Amount
133
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine high school seniors who have a history of community service.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Georgetown, Maine.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of Georgetown, Maine.
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$1,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Georgetown, Maine.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Georgetown, Maine.
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$2,625
Award Amount
12
Awards
Mar 7
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are residents of Maine's year-round unbridged island communities. Those islands are as follows: Chebeague, Cliff, Frenchboro, Great Cranberry, Isle au Haut, Islesboro, Islesford, Long, Matinicus, Monhegan, North Haven, Peaks, Swan's and Vinalhaven.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 25
Deadline
Maine high school seniors are eligible to enter this art contest. Students must submit an art entry on the theme of 'Art and Our Natural Environment' in traditional two-dimensional media.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate or graduate students who are interested in fiction writing are eligible for this award.
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$325
Award Amount
14
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is offered to international and U.S. high school seniors who are attending a Maine high school. Students must plan to pursue a degree in graphic arts pertaining to printing, and have a C average or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 24
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate college students who are residents of Glynn County in Georgia are eligible to apply for this award. Studens must have a strong background and/or course of study in the arts and humanities.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
High school seniors who plan to attend Central Maine Community College and participate in its two-year machine tool technology trade program are eligible for this full-tuition scholarship. Recipients must agree to work for the Maine Machine Products Company for at least 18 months following completion of the program.
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$1,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine undergraduate students who plan to pursue a career in culinary arts or hospitality. Culinary arts students will be given first consideration.
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$7,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. students who are residents of Maine planning to enroll as college freshmen are eligible for this award.
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$800
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine undergraduate and graduate students who plan to pursue a career in the lodging or foodservice fields, or are family members, employees, or family members of an employee of a member of the Maine Innkeepers Association.
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$144,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Eagle Scouts who have an SAT score of 1200 or higher and/or an ACT score of 28 or higher. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors planning to enter college in the year that the scholarship is applied for. Up to $50,000 is awarded. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$200,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 12
Deadline
Congratulations on achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. You have just begun your life journey and with the skills and character you’ve developed in Scouting, you have a solid foundation to build upon. As a future leader, Eagle Scouts like you, are critical to preserving the fabric of our great nation.
The National Eagle Scout Association is proud to offer scholarships that can help you continue your educational adventure.
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$43,750
Award Amount
11
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of study with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher. Students must plan to enter into some field of science or engineering encompassed by the technical activities of AIAA.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is given to Maine residents planning to pursue or currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in a nursing program in Maine.
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$100,000
Award Amount
100
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Foster Care to Success is America’s College Fund for Foster Youth. This program is open to those who were part of Casey Family Services Foster Care in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, and provides up to $10,000 over the course of a college career.
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$1,000
Award Amount
39
Awards
Apr 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. high school seniors and current undergraduate students who plan to major in or are majoring in education. Current college students must be members of Phi Delta Kappa International.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine undergraduate and graduate students who have achieved a grade point average of 2.7 or higher for the semester immediately preceding the distribution of any award.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine 4-H members who are active in 4-H activities. Students must be graduating high school seniors or have previously graduated from high school but delayed going to college for no more than one year.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 2
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine and New Hampshire 4-H members who are active in 4-H activities; the scholarship is awarded to New Hampshire residents in even-numbered years and Maine residents in odd-numbered years. Students must be graduating high school seniors or have previously graduated from high school but delayed going to college for no more than one year.
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who are planning to attend Colby College. Students must demonstrate scholastic strength and leadership potential and must be African American, Latino/Latina, Asian American, or Native American.
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When you are starting your college journey, figuring out how to pay for it can feel daunting. Between scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One of the best ways to fund your education—especially in your first year—is through grants. Unlike student loans, grants typically don’t need to be repaid, making them a valuable form of financial aid. In this guide, we’ll break down what grants are, where they come from, and how you can secure them to help cover your freshman-year expenses.
Types of Grants Available to College Freshmen
Federal Grants
Federal grants are often the first place freshmen turn for financial aid. The Pell Grant, one of the most common grants, is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate significant financial need. Because the maximum Pell Grant amount changes annually, it’s important to check the Federal Student Aid website for the most up-to-date information. To apply, students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available. Another federal grant is the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), which provides additional grant funds to low-income students who qualify for the Pell Grant. Since SEOG funding is limited and distributed by individual institutions, submitting the FAFSA early is crucial.
State-Sponsored Grants
Many states offer grants specifically for residents who plan to attend in-state colleges or universities. For example, California’s Cal Grant program supports students attending both public and private institutions who meet certain GPA and financial need criteria. New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps residents attending approved colleges and universities in the state. Eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts vary by state, so it is essential to review your state’s higher education agency website. In most cases, these state grants take into account both financial need and academic performance.
Institutional Grants for Freshmen
In addition to federal and state sources, colleges and universities themselves often award grants to attract and support promising freshmen. These grants may be awarded based on need, merit, or a combination of both. To find out what your prospective institution offers, start by reviewing the school’s financial aid webpage. It may also be helpful to contact a school’s financial aid office directly to inquire about freshman-specific grants. Some colleges automatically consider admitted students for their internal grant programs, while others may require separate applications. By exploring these institutional opportunities, you can discover valuable sources of funding tailored to your individual circumstances and academic profile.
Scholarships Applications Tips for College Freshmen
Scholarship applications can be daunting, and it can be difficult to know where to start. The following tips can help you navigate the scholarship application process:
- Start by doing your research. There are many different types of scholarships available, so it’s important to identify the ones that are most likely to be a good fit for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to read through the eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully.
- Create a timeline for yourself. Applying for scholarships takes time and effort, so it’s important to create a timeline that will help you stay on track. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to gather all of the required materials and write a strong essay.
- Proofread your application thoroughly before submitting it. This may be one of the most important steps in the process, as even a small mistake could disqualify you from consideration. Be sure to ask someone else to read over your application as well, just to be sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Start Applying for Scholarships as a Freshman?
The answer is yes! Many scholarships may be available to students who are just beginning their college journey. However, it is important to note that the competition for scholarships might be fierce. To give yourself the best chance of success, you should start researching and applying for scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships may require students to submit essays or personal statements, so it may also be important to begin working on your writing skills. If you start early and put in the effort, you could increase your chances of attaining a scholarship and help to relieve some of the financial burdens of paying for college.
Why It’s Important to Apply for Scholarships as a Freshman
Applying for scholarships as a freshman is important because it may give you the opportunity to receive financial aid. The earlier you start applying for scholarships, the better your chances often are of receiving one. Freshmen are usually unaware of the vast number of scholarships available to them, which is why it is so important to begin your search early. By starting your search early, you may increase your chances of finding scholarships that are a good fit for you and your academic interests. In short, applying for scholarships as a freshman is often an important step in ensuring that you can afford the college of your choice.
Benefits of Scholarships for College Freshmen
Scholarships often provide many benefits for college freshmen, including financial assistance, recognition, and opportunities. One of the most obvious benefits of scholarships is that they can help you pay for your education. With the rising cost of tuition, room, board, and other expenses, scholarships may be a much-needed source of financial assistance.
In addition to providing financial assistance, scholarships could also help you stand out from your peers. Scholarships are often awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence or have unique talents or abilities. Receiving a scholarship might give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate school.
Finally, scholarships may provide you with opportunities to get involved in your field of interest. Many scholarships may be awarded by organizations or companies that are related to the student’s field of study. For example, a student interested in engineering might receive a scholarship from an engineering firm. These types of scholarships often come with benefits like paid internships or the opportunity to shadow a professional in your field.
The sooner you begin looking for scholarships, the more likely you are to find ones that fit both your academic interests and preferences. Applying for scholarships during freshman year gives you the best chance of being able to finance your college education. By beginning your search early, you may have more time to put together a strong application with all the required materials.
Start applying for 2025 scholarships for college freshmen today!
There’s no time like the present to start looking for scholarships! The sooner you start the process, the more money you could potentially have for college. And don’t think that you have to be a straight-A student to qualify – there are usually scholarships available for all types of students, from those who excel in academics to those who are involved in extracurricular activities. So what are you waiting for? Take a few minutes each day to search for scholarships, and before you know it, you’ll have a stack of applications waiting to be filled out. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start applying for scholarships today!
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff