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.
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This is an undergraduate award for U.S. students who are high school seniors or currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Students must enroll full time in a graphic communications course of study. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to be eligible. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$2,795
Award Amount
175
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in the fields of engineering, science, or technology and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Priority is given to West Virginia residents.
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$4,699
Award Amount
10,036
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for West Virginia high school seniors who are planning to attend an eligible West Virginia public or private college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and have a composite ACT score of 22 or higher or a combined SAT score of 1020 or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate students who are members of Golden Key International Honour Society.
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$20,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
This award is for a U.S. high school senior who has a parent or guardian who is an AFSCME member. The student must attend an accredited college or university.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 1
Deadline
This award is available for full-time undergraduate students who are majoring in a field related to concrete, such as majors with an emphasis on structural design, materials, construction, or any combination thereof.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. Students must have completed a minimum of one year of an accredited dental hygiene certificate/associate's program with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and must be professional or student members of American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are studying in a certificate or associate's program for dental hygiene and are professional or student members of ADHA. Students must be an underrepresented minority in the dental hygiene profession (e.g., African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and males).
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is open to U.S. students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene who are student or professional members of the American Dental Hygienists' Assocation (ADHA). Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrated financial need of $1,500 or more.
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$750
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors who are residents of LaGrange, Maine and attending the University of Maine. Students must be in the top 40 percent of their class and have an SAT score of 1100 or higher or a composite ACT score of 24 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
40
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who plan to transfer to the University of Maine at Orono.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available to Oklahoma undergraduate students who are attending a public or private college or university in Oklahoma. Students must be enrolled in a degree program leading to a career in public service, and must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.
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$3,000
Award Amount
180
Awards
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available to Oklahoma undergraduate students who graduated from an Oklahoma high school (or earned a GED) within the past three years and are attending an Oklahoma public college or certain programs at technology centers. Students must have been in the custody of the Department of Human Services for nine or more months between the ages of 16 and 18, and must be 21 or younger at time of application.
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$18,000
Award Amount
1,640
Awards
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are members of the Oklahoma National Guard and are planning to attend an eligible college in Oklahoma.
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$32,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend the University of Maine at Orono. Students must be National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists or finalists.
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$1,000
Award Amount
16
Awards
May 30
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who intend to major in food science. The student must attend an IFT-approved school.
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$7,400
Award Amount
222
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Kansas undergraduate minority students who are planning to enroll at a Kansas college or university. Students must demonstrate financial need and must be identified as members of any of the following ethnic/racial groups: African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic. Awarding priority is given to eligible renewals and freshmen students.
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$20,000
Award Amount
234
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
Kansas residents who are high school seniors or older students planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at a Kansas college or university are eligible for this award. Students must plan to enter the teaching profession in a designated shortage area.
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$1,000
Award Amount
170
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Kansas undergraduate students who are planning to enroll in a certificate/two-year vocational-technical program.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 31
Deadline
This is a writing competition for members of the IEEE Computer Society. The applicant must be an undergraduate student and have a 3.0 grade point average or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 1
Deadline
This scholarship is for members of the IEEE Computer Society who currently have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in the computing industry.
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$2,346
Award Amount
18,426
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
This award is available to New Mexico high school students who are enrolled at an eligible New Mexico public postsecondary institution. Students must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) at an eligible New Mexico public college or university, in the first regular semester immediately following high school graduation; and must obtain and maintain at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA.
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$3,116
Award Amount
223
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
This award is available to New Mexico resident high school students who are planning to attend Public colleges in New Mexico or St. John's College or College of the Southwest. Students must be enrolled his/her 21st birthday and graduate from a New Mexico high school in the top 5% of the class or score 25 or higher on the ACT.
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$32,800
Award Amount
16
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
New Mexico undergraduate or graduate students who have been awarded a Vietnam campaign medal for services in Vietnam during the period of Aug. 5, 1964 to the official termination of the Vietnam conflict are eligible for this award. Students must be planning to attend a New Mexico postsecondary institution.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 1
Deadline
The purpose of the Allied Health Loan-For-Service is to increase the number of physician assistants in areas of the state which have experienced shortages of health practitioners, by making educational loans to students seeking certification/licensure in an eligible health field which include the following:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech-Language Pathology
Audiology
Pharmacy
Respiratory Care
Laboratory Technology
Mental Health-Social Services
Emergency Medical Services
Nutrition
Dental Hygiene
As a condition of each loan, the student shall declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico.
For every year of service provided in a designated shortage area within New Mexico, a portion of the loan will be forgiven. If the entire service agreement is fulfilled, 100% of the loan is eligible for forgiveness. Penalties will be assessed if the service agreement is not satisfied.
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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