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.
$875
Award Amount
40
Awards
Apr 13
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are current residents of any of the following cities in New Hampshire: Bradford, Croydon, Goshen, Lempster, Newbury, New London, Newport, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Warner, or Wilmot.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for students who are U.S. citizens pursuing a career in human services, health sciences or visual arts. Eligible applicants must have been living in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska for at least one year. 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 for Puget Sound area gay men of color who are U.S. citizens and have significant financial need and demonstrate activism in the gay/lesbian community and communities of color.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students of Native American or First Nations heritage who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). Applicants must demonstrate leadership and a commitment to community service and LGBT advocacy.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. citizens who are Washington residents under age 25 and raised by one or more lesbian or gay parents. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a postsecondary program or be planning to enroll during the academic year following the deadline date.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. graduating high school seniors who have been residents of New Mexico for one year or more and attend a New Mexico high school. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and live in a mobile or manufactured home.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American undergraduate and graduate students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Applicants must reside in of one of the following states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or Alaska.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. citizens who are residents of eastern Washington state, Idaho, or Montana. 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 U.S. citizens who are residents of Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska and majoring in visual arts. 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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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 28
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of Orange County, California, graduating from a high school in the Newport Mesa Unified School District. Student must attend the University of California at Berkeley and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. citizens who have been living in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska for at least one year. Applicant must be a current or former student of NW Association of Special Programs (NASP-TRIO). 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 U.S. citizens who are residents of Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska and are studying interior, fashion, or graphic design. 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 U.S. citizens who have been living in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska for at least one year. Applicants must be studying any field of health science and 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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$50,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who attend or have graduated from a high school located in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County and are a resident of California. Students must also have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate community involvement over a period of several years.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate young women who are 16 to 26 years of age. Students must be a resident of San Mateo County, California.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who have graduated from a high school located in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County and are residents of California. Students have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate community involvement over a period of several years.
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$20,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available for single mothers who are the head of household in Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, and San Mateo County. Applicants must be enrolled in a two or four year degree program at the time of application.
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$1,700
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 14
Deadline
The Karen Brownstein Writing Scholarship is available for graduating seniors at Palo Alto High School in Palo Alto, California. Applicants must demonstrate success in writing.
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$10,000
Award Amount
30
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of California attend a high school located in San Mateo County or northern Santa Clara County (Daly City through Mountain View) and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or lower. Students must demonstrate community involvement over a period of several years and be able provide evidence of partial self-support (e.g., savings from summer jobs, part-time work, etc.).
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$60,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
Nordic students (Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Danish) planning to live on campus and enroll at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington are eligible for this award. Students must be high school seniors and enroll full time.
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$56,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
International high school seniors or older students who plan to enroll full time at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington are eligible for this award. There is no separate application for this award; each international student admitted to Pacific Lutheran University is considered for a grant.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who have an interest in and pursue a career in the field of creative writing. Students must attend or have graduated from a high school located in San Mateo County or northern Santa Clara County (Daly City through Mountain View) and must be a resident of California.
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$2,361
Award Amount
6
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and attend or plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university located in Berks County. Each applicant must be a single mother who has sole guardianship of one or more of her natural children; one or more of the children must be 17 years of age or younger.
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$2,361
Award Amount
6
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are residents of Berks County, Pennsylvania and have successfully completed at least one semester or term at an institution of higher education. Special preference is given to students studying electrical engineering; preference is also given to students studying at Berks County institutions, with a secondary preference to students studying at Pennsylvania institutions.
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$3,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. students of American Indian or Alaskan Native descendancy who plan to pursue a degree in accounting, computer science, engineering, finance, marketing, or operations management. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; preference will be given to students enrolled in a Michigan college.
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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