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.
$2,500
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are American Indian or Alaskan Native with proof of enrollment or descendancy and have a declared major in business or a related field. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 11
Deadline
This award is offered to U.S. college sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO) member colleges. Students must have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher.
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$12,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Apr 11
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. or international undergraduate college students who have completed one or more quarters or semesters of a four- or five-year engineering or engineering technology program.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Mississippi high school seniors who plan to enroll full time at a Mississippi public community college or university. Students must have high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and scored a 20 or higher on the ACT or a 940 or higher on the SAT.
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$19,200
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jan 25
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students. Applicants must be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer (LGBTQ) or have a history of leadership and dedication in the LGBTQ community. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,250
Award Amount
33
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. and Canadian citizens who are current undergraduate students with grade point averages of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must major in accounting.
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$28,000
Award Amount
28
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are currently enrolled as high school seniors. Students must have made a contribution to the Asian/Pacific American community and reside in one of the nine states or regions with an active Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community Advancement (APCA) chapter.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to incoming and current female undergraduate students who reside in the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must have a grade point average of B- (2.75) or higher, and must pursue an artistic career (preference to those pursuing painting and design).
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors and adult students who are entering their freshman year of college and reside in the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must be of Lebanese descent and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for male U.S. high school seniors or adults entering their freshman year of college as first-time students. Students must be residents of Waterbury, Connecticut for five years or more and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors or adult students entering their freshman year of college who reside in the 21-town service area of the Connecticut Community Foundation. Students must pursue a career in teaching learning disabled children and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,241
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors and adult students entering their freshman year as first-time students who are residents of Waterbury, Connecticut. Students must major in a health-related field and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors or adult students entering their freshman year of college who are residents of the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must also have maintained an "A" (90) average or better in school, and be of Italian or French descent.
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$1,500
Award Amount
35
Awards
Apr 7
Deadline
This award is available for female students in Northern California who are of Chicana/Latina heritage. Applicant must have completed 12 or more credit hours as an undergraduate or be accepted or enrolled in a graduate program, and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher (3.0 or higher if a graduate student) at the time of application.
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$1,250
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students majoring in environmental health who are enrolled in an approved college/university that is accredited by the Environmental Health Accreditation Council or is a NEHA Educational or Sustaining Member School. For a current list of accredited environmental health programs, please visit www.ehacoffice.org.
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$2,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are leukemia patients and/or the child of a non-surviving leukemia patient. Students must also have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and enroll full time at an accredited college or university.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S high school seniors and adult students planning to enter their freshman year of college who are residents of the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must plan to attend the University of Pennsylvania and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors and adult students entering their freshman year who are residents of the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must have a documented learning disability and a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. female high school seniors and adult students who are entering their freshman year of college who have been residents of one of the following Connecticut cities for the past four years: Cheshire, Naugatuck, Prospect, Waterbury, Watertown, or Woodbury. Students must attend an accredited college or university in New York, the New England states, or Israel; major in a health-related field; and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors and adult students who are entering their freshman year that reside in the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must plan to major in nursing and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of the Connecticut Community Foundation's 21-town service area. Students must pursue a career in architecture and have a grade point average of B- or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. female undergraduate students who graduate from Litchfield or Wamogo high schools in Litchfield, Connecticut, and reside in Litchfield, Warren, Morris, or Goshen, Connecticut. Each applicant must be the daughter of a single, working mother who cannot otherwise afford college, and must have a grade point average of B- (2.75) or higher.
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$2,216
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors and adult students entering their freshman year who are graduates of Wilby High School in Waterbury, CT, and ranked in the top five percent of their class. Students must be very committed to racial tolerance and understanding.
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$8,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Feb 22
Deadline
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is offering a scholarship to members (who are enrolled for at least 6 credit hours), and the children, spouses, and dependent grandchildren of members (as of June 1, 2017) of District Lodge 141 with one year or more of good standing who are graduating seniors, or who are currently enrolled full time and/or commencing college full time.
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$15,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
All Finalists of the Collegiate Inventors Competition will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Winners will be awarded cash prizes: - Undergraduate and Graduate Winners receive $15,000 - Undergraduate and Graduate Runners-Up receive $5,000 - People’s Choice Award Winner receives $1,500.
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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