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.
$76,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international students planning to attend Menlo College in Atherton, California, who are high school seniors (or the equivalent) or first-time applicants. Students must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
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$420,000
Award Amount
84
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Eagle Scouts who are graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate students. Students may apply no later than the completion of their junior year of college. Students should have score a minimum 1290 SAT or an ACT score of at least 28. Learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are pursuing a career in an eligible scientific field. Students must have a grade point average above a 3.3, be in the top 10 percent of graduating class, and have an SAT score of 2000 or higher.
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$2,250
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
This writing contest is open to all undergraduate and graduate students who submit an essay of 3,500 to 12,500 words addressing one or more of the topics listed on the website. The work must be have been produced to fulfill an undergraduate or graduate course or degree requirement and may be submitted in English or in Spanish.
Graduate Award
• Submissions must be between 3,500 and 12,500 words.
• Submissions may be in Spanish or English.
• The Applicant must currently be registered as a graduate student and work must be related to graduate studies.
Undergraduate Award
• Essays must be between 2,000 and 10,500 words.
• Submissions may be in Spanish or English.
• Submissions must have been produced to fulfill an undergraduate course or degree requirement (please specify course, degree, and institution; for thesis chapters, please add a thesis abstract).
Pre-Collegiate Award
Academic, non-fiction and fiction writing are all accepted. Poetry submissions are also accepted. No minimum page length, maximum length is 25 pages. All submissions must be in .doc or .pdf file format.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international high school seniors and undergraduate/graduate students who are residents of Illinois. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Virginia. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,250
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,700
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international high school seniors and undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Alabama. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are attending Southern Oregon University or Rogue Community College and majoring in education/teaching, nursing, or any medical field. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
The Polish Scholarship Fund was established to give financial assistance to students of Polish descent that reside in one of the following central New York counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego. Recipients must be enrolled full time at an accredited college, university, or technical school.
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$900
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international high school seniors and undergraduate/graduate students who are residents of Hillsboro, Oregon. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are majoring in mechanical engineering and attending the University of Pittsburgh. The student must plan to pursue a career in an heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R)-related field, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 26
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Texas undergraduate students who are pursuing or have plans to pursue higher education in earth/environmental science at an accredited four-year college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Feb 18
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. high school seniors who are members of Zeal Credit Union in Michigan.
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$20,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 30
Deadline
A U.S. student who is a high school senior planning to enroll at a two- or four-year engineering or science program at an ABET-accredited institution, and is the child or grandchild of a current SAE Detroit Section member, is eligible for this award. An eligible applicant must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
50
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Sertoma International offers scholarships for hearing-impaired U.S. undergraduate students. The applicant must be a high school senior or current undergraduate student at time of application and have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 16
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Wisconsin undergraduate students who have been members of 4-H for a year or more, and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
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$13,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 13
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors and undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and residents of Washington state. Preference is given to self-identified LGBT students, members of LGBT families, and straight allies who have been supportive of the LGBT community.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for self-identified LGBT students, members of LGBT families, and straight allies who have been supportive of the LGBT community. Applicants must reside on Whidbey Island.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or as a straight ally. Applicants must demonstrate unmet financial need, and must reside in one of the following states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or Alaska.
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$10,000
Award Amount
450
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. high school graduates who are residents of Washington, D.C. and attended a Washington, D.C. high school are eligible for this award. Students must have a minumim GPA of 2.0 and must file a DC-CAP authorization form, a FAFSA, and DC LEAP and DC TAG applications to apply.
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$6,500
Award Amount
5,102
Awards
Aug 18
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students who are residents of the District of Columbia. The student must be enrolled in a first bachelors degree program and in good academic standing (as defined by the institution). Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Oct 16
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in a course of study important to vacuum coating technology at an accredited educational institution and plan for a career in vacuum coating technology.
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$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of and attending college in California. Students must be pursuing a career in the agricultural industry.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Nov 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to students who are or will be enrolled in an ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program.
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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