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.
$4,250
Award Amount
30
Awards
Jun 12
Deadline
A scholarship from the Truckload Carriers Association will be awarded to any undergraduate in good standing, who is the child, grandchild, or spouse of an employee or an employee of a TCA member, or the child, grandchild or spouse of an independent contractor or an independent contractor affiliated with a TCA member. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
The Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) is offering a scholarship to a student in Massachusetts who demonstrates financial need. Interested students should contact the CJP for an application.
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$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 26
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Rhode Island high school seniors whose parents did not graduate from college. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and community service.
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$11,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. high school seniors who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and attend Sequoyah High School in Madisonville, Tennessee.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors currently attending Anderson County High School in Clinton, Tenn. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$32,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors currently attending Johnson County High School in Mountain City, Tenn. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 5
Deadline
This scholarship is available for students who are enrolled at or planning to enroll at Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo or Alan Hancock Community College. Applicants must have been employed, or have a parent or legal guardian employed as a vineyard worker during the 2017 or 2018 agricultural season.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors and graduates of Anderson County High School, Clinton Senior High School, or Oak Ridge High School in Tennessee. Returning adult students and non-traditional students are also eligible to apply. Students must plan to attend Roane State Technical Community College or Pellissippi State Technical Community College.
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$2,700
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for graduates from Oneida High School in Oneida, Tennessee.
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$6,500
Award Amount
6
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. citizens and legal residents who were born in India or have a parent/grandparent who was born in India. The applicant must be a current high school senior with a grade point average of 3.6 or higher, and his/her annual family income must be less than $75,000.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who have lost a parent/guardian to cancer or whose parent/guardian experienced a cancer diagnosis when the young adult applicant was between the ages of 15-35. Students must be residents of Howard County in Maryland.
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$14,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for female Washington County (RI) residents who are 21 years of age or older. Students must be enrolled or registered in an educational or job skills training program and working toward their first degree (associate or bachelor's) or certificate.
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$30,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who are seeking a degree in architecture, interior design, studio art, architectural engineering, mechanical drawing, or lighting design. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors who reside in Addison County, Vermont. Students must plan to enroll full time in an accredited four-year college to pursue a bachelor's degree and demonstrate the following: outstanding academic achievement; financial need; school/community involvement.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available to Vermont students who are seeking education or training in a field related to construction. Students may be high school seniors or graduates or currently enrolled undergraduate/graduate students.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and be a single parent with primary custody of one or more children under the age of 12. The scholarship was established to honor Bernice Murray’s unselfish contributions to improving the lives of Vermonters.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for high school seniors who are residents of Lancaster County, Nebraska, and who have attended Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, for two years or more. Students must also be ranked in the top half of their class.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who live within Lancaster County, Nebraska and who plan to or have already graduated from Waverly High School in Waverly, Nebraska. Students must be seeking a degree in agriculture, home economics or veterinary medicine.
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$700
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of Nebraska and graduate from a Nebraska high school. Students must contribute financially to his/her own education. It is preferred that students pursue a career in aviation, insurance or law, have experience in debate, and have participated in Boy/Girl Scouts during his/her youth.
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$8,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who live within Lancaster County, Nebraska and will graduate or have graduated from a Lancaster County high school. Students must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university in Nebraska.
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$45,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to Vermont undergraduate students who are seeking a degree in registered nursing, licensed practical nursing, physical therapy, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, or social work. Students must demonstrate financial need and intend to work in Vermont for a minimum of two years.
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$75,000
Award Amount
50
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont high school seniors and current undergraduate students who reside in Windham County (preference to residents of Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Newfane, and Putney). Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$2,400
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to undergraduate and graduate students who reside in Addison County, Vermont. Students must seek a degree in registered nursing or nursing education and demonstrate financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 19
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Rhode Island students who are studying communications at the undergraduate or graduate level. Students must be from a minority group.
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$1,250
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 10
Deadline
This award will be given to Rhode Island women to assist with transportation, child-care, tutoring, educational materials, and/or other support services. Preference will be given to highly motivated, self-supporting, low-income women who are completing their first undergraduate degree or certificate 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
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Edited by Unigo Staff