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.
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont students who are seeking a degree in agriculture. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This award is available to Vermont students who are seeking a degree in education. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont high school seniors who are enrolled in a vocational/technical program. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must demonstrate financial need and community service.
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$50,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in nursing. Recipients must work as a nurse in Vermont or at an accredited hospital within ten miles of the Vermont border for a minimum of one year following licensure for forgiveness of the loan.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled in an accredited respiratory care training program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants/nominees are accepted from all states, with preference given to candidates from Georgia and South Carolina.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. undergraduate students currently enrolled in a respiratory care program. The applicant must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to be eligible. Preference for this award will be given to minorities.
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$1,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont high school seniors who reside in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (Caledonia, Essex, or Orleans counties), and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must be among the first generation in their family to attend postsecondary school or face significant barriers that limit their access to a postsecondary education; students must also demonstrate financial need and school/community involvement.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is available for members of SafeAmerica credit unions of all ages and levels of study who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must plan to enroll full time and submit an essay addressing the topic at SafeAmerica's website.
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$5,000
Award Amount
50
Awards
Dec 15
Deadline
This award is available for currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who are African American (black) or of African descent and are active members of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher and a major grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$1,850
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who are graduates of a high school in the foundation's service area or be a permanent resident in a city the foundation serves. The foundation's service area is southern Sarasota County, Florida, from Osprey to Boca Grande, including Englewood, North Port, Placida and Venice. Students must have experience in community service and/or employment and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,850
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who graduated from Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, Florida and are legal residents of the Englewood, Florida area. Students must have experience in community service and/or employment and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who plan to graduate from Venice High School and are permanent residents of Venice, Florida. Students must have experience in community service and/or employment and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 4
Deadline
This scholarship is available for seniors and graduates of Venice High School in Venice, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,850
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who are graduates of a high school in the foundation's service area or be a permanent resident in a city the foundation serves. The foundation's service area is southern Sarasota County, Florida, from Osprey to Boca Grande, including Englewood, North Port, Placida and Venice. Students must have experience in community service and/or employment and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and major in a business administration field (accounting, economics, finance, management, etc.).
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$1,850
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who graduated from a high school in the foundation's service area or be a permanent resident in a city the foundation serves. The foundation's service area is southern Sarasota County, Florida, from Osprey to Boca Grande, including Englewood, North Port, Placida and Venice and attend or plan to attend a college in Florida. Students must have experience in community service and/or employment and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$167,850
Award Amount
15
Awards
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are planning to attend Park University full time. The applicant must be a high school senior who meets two of the three following academic criteria: a grade point average of 3.75 or higher or a GED score of 3200 or higher; an ACT score of 25 or higher or an SAT score of 1220 or higher; class rank in top 10 percent.
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$750
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jul 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. dental and dental hygiene students enrolled at a college or university in Texas. Applicants must be members of the Hispanic Dental Association and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 5
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors who are residents of Louisiana and plan to attend Louisiana Tech University. The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and have an SAT score of 1050 to 1350 or an ACT score of 23 to 31.
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$800
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 5
Deadline
This award is for students who are graduates of Dubach High School, LA, and plan to attend Lousiana Tech University. The student must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher, and an ACT score of 24 or higher or a SAT score of 1090 or higher to be eligible.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
To serve as a living tribute to Frank Kazmierczak, a long-time migrant educator, by offering an annual award in the amount of $1,000 for post-secondary scholarship assistance to a migrant farmworker student who wishes to pursue a career in teaching.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
Students who show recent history of movement for agricultural employment and are enrolled or accepted at a postsecondary institution OR are high school dropouts or potential dropouts are eligible to apply. Applications are available by contacting the Geneseo Migrant Center.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for international and U.S. students who have a significant interest in the pulp and paper industry or, especially, the corrugated packaging industry. Students must be working full time or part time in the box business and attending day/night school for a graduate or undergraduate degree OR be a full-time student in a two-year or a four-year college, university, or technical school with an interest in the corrugated packaging industry.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate students who are in a program preparatory to a career in the nonwovens industry or demonstrate an interest in the areas covered by TAPPI's Nonwovens Division. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are in an engineering or science program and show a significant interest in the pulp and paper industry. Students must be TAPPI student members or undergraduate members of a TAPPI student chapter.
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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