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.
$16,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who plan to attend Berry College in Georgia. Students must be high school seniors or older and be unmarried at time of application.
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$7,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship is for U.S. students pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. The applicant must be a high school senior or older.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for a U.S. student pursuing undergraduate or graduate study. Applicants must be the child of a current member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are Native Americans (preference is given to undergraduate students). Students must have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 16
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. or international college freshmen, sophomores and/or juniors who attend college in one of the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington. Students must pursue a career in television or film, such as broadcasting, production, editing, etc.
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$3,250
Award Amount
13
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available for a child or dependent child of a Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) member. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program, must be under the age of 25, and must have no prior arrests or convictions.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 28
Deadline
This fund awards scholarships to rescue workers who are going to school to obtain their undergraduate nursing degrees. The applicant must be a member of a state or national professional EMT, firefighter or police officer association and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. or Canadian undergraduate students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must be the dependent of a medically retired, long-term disabled, or deceased ALPA member. Incoming freshmen should submit the application after the 1st semester of that senior year.
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$1,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors who are residents of Maryland or Washington, D.C. The student must attend an accredited college or university full-time in the fall and must demonstrate financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
This award is available to members of the Maine Morgan Horse club who are 22 years of age or younger at the time of application.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are pursuing a major in occupational safety and safety engineering. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$625
Award Amount
3
Awards
Aug 15
Deadline
The Alice T. Schafer Mathematics Prize will be awarded to an undergraduate woman for excellence in mathematics. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or have a school address in the United States.
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$12,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Nov 30
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. student employees and family members of employees of the National Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) and its affiliates.
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$50,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jan 28
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are employees, immediate family members of an employee, or immediate family members of a NRCA-contractor member who has a minimum of one year of employment with the company as of the application deadline date.
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$16,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to international students enrolling at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas as freshmen. Students must have an SAT score of 1290 or higher OR an ACT score of 29 or higher.
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$62,500
Award Amount
25
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are members of the Boeing Employees' Credit Union. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be enrolled or plan to enroll full time at an accredited college or university.
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$8,193
Award Amount
31
Awards
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is available to women who are members of Soroptimist International, provide primary financial support for their family, and have demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be motivated to career and educational advancement, and must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
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$5,200
Award Amount
400
Awards
May 29
Deadline
This paid internship program is available for current U.S. undergraduate students who are 18 years of age or older and have completed a minimum of one semester of college coursework at time of application. Students in natural science, engineering, mathematics, or computer science majors have the best chance for selection; however, students in related disciplines who demonstrate interests and capabilities in research areas available at the participating laboratories may also be appointed.
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$1,333
Award Amount
36
Awards
Jan 12
Deadline
This award is available for students who are legal residents of the state of Arizona. Students must have been accepted to or currently be enrolled in an academic nursing education program based in Arizona.
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$52,000
Award Amount
25
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This award is for international students applying to Point Park University in Pennsylvania. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher, and an ACT score of 17 or higher, or an SAT score of 1240 or higher.
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$2,087
Award Amount
23,000
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This award is available for South Carolina undergraduate students who are currently attending a South Carolina technical college. Students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible.
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$1,000
Award Amount
64
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who are a certificate holder, or the child or grandchild of a certificate holder in Assured Life Association. Students must enroll for 12 credit hours or more per semester.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 9
Deadline
U.S. citizens who are current undergraduate student members of the Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) are eligible for this award. Students must have completed 15 or more credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$1,750
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors planning to major in dairy/animal science with a communications emphasis or agricultural journalism with a dairy/animal science emphasis are eligible for this award. Students must intend to have a career in dairy communications or journalism.
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$2,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are 25 years of age or older and reside in the greater Chicagoland area. Students must be enrolled in or admitted to a degree or certificate program at a college or university that is a member of the REACh organization and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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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
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff