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.
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. students of Mexican heritage who are enrolled full time in a four-year college or graduate school are eligible for this award. Students must major in or take courses that would be beneficial to a career in the plastics/polymer industry.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 2
Deadline
Undergraduate or graduate international and U.S. students who have performed research on the non-destructive testing of concrete are eligible for this award. To apply, students must submit a technical paper that should be both original and innovative.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are majoring in nursing or an allied health degree program. Applicants must be residents of Nassau County who are attending Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ).
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors in Kentucky who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and demonstrate critical financial need.
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$10,000
Award Amount
50
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for Montana high school seniors planning to attend an eligible institution of higher education. Students must demonstrate critical financial need and possess a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors in Indiana who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$4,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
This award is available to Arkansas resident high school students who have passed the Arkansas High School Diploma (GED) test and are planning to attend an Arkansas state-supported college or university.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 3
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. college sophomores who are pursuing an associate's degree in nursing. Students must be a member of a local, state, or national student nurse association and actively participate in the association, and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. and international students who are residents of Arizona and attend a community college in Maricopa County, Arizona. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international female residents of Louisiana who are currently majoring or planning to major in a medical field. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Kentucky. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Click here to learn more about this scholarship today!
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 26
Deadline
This award is available for Filipino high school seniors who are a resident of California. Applicants must major in math, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences (excluding healthcare). Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$38,400
Award Amount
100
Awards
Feb 26
Deadline
This full-tuition scholarship is available to all students who enroll at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri.
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$4,800
Award Amount
4
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school graduates who are single parents with near poverty-level income. The applicant must be a resident of Carroll County, AR, Madison County, AR, or Washington County, AR, and must have received or be in the process of applying for a Pell Grant. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and international students who are residents of western New York State (west of Interstate 81) attending a college or university in New York State. The applicant must have a 2.5 grade point average or higher to be eligible.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors who are residents of and attend high school in Maine, and plan to attend the University of Maine at Orono. Students must be in the top 10 percent of their class and have an SAT score of 1450 or higher or an ACT score of 32 or higher to be considered for the award, but selection is extremely competitive and recipients tend to be in the top 2% of their high school class.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for incoming freshmen or transfer students at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota who are residents of a Canadian province other than Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$8,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Hawaii undergraduate students who are majoring in a health-related field. Students must have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
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$44,250
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Hawaii undergraduate and graduate students; preference is given to students who are majoring in fine arts or classics. Students must be graduates of one of the following East Hawai'i public schools: Hilo, Honoka'a, Kea'au, Laupahoehoe, Pahoa, or Waiakea.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Hawaii undergraduate and graduate students who are currently attending as a high school senior or are graduates of Baldwin High School in Wailuku, Hawaii. Students must major in education and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors who are residents of the island of Hawai'i and are attending Hilo High School or Waiakea High School. Students must have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. citizens have been living in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska for at least one year. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a postsecondary program studying visual arts and 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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$800
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 Eldorado High School in Albuquerque. Students must be a member of the Eldorado High School varsity soccer team.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate 4-H members who are attending an institution in North Carolina. First preference goes to applicants from Mitchell County, NC; in the event there are no qualified applicants, the scholarship will be given to residents of North Carolina's western district. First preference also goes to freshman students; in the event that no freshman is eligible, an upperclassman may be awarded the scholarship.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina high school seniors and undergraduate students who are 4-H members. Students must plan to attend North Carolina State University and major in poultry science.
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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