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.
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 16
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and Canadian undergraduate students who have been a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society for one year or more. The applicant must be currently employed by a natural resource conservation endeavor and pursuing a conservation-related field.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 3
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Rhode Island undergraduate and graduate students who are studying textiles at an accredited institution. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 19
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students currently enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program who have financial need. Preference is given to residents of Rhode Island.
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$1,250
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 24
Deadline
This award is available for Rhode Island undergraduate and graduate students who are legislative pages in Rhode Island. Awards are based on financial need, academic achievement, and good citizenship.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Scholarships are available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a jewelry-related curriculum. Applicants are not required to be Rhode Island residents.
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$6,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 26
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are residents of Bristol, Rhode Island. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are attending or plan to attend Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. Students must live within Lancaster County, Nebraska and be enrolled or plan to enroll as a full-time student.
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$450
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
The Haymarket Emerging Artists Scholarship is available to current graduating seniors or former graduates of a Lincoln/Lancaster County public or private high school, or a current college student residing in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska.
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$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are attending or plan to attend Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska.
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$1,667
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are certified pool and spa operators (CPO), certified pool and spa operator instructors or the immediate family members of CPO or CPO instructors are eligible for this award.
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$39,000
Award Amount
26
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
Michigan Retailers Foundation, established in 1968, provides college scholarships annually to benefit retailers and their employees and families. Twenty-five scholarships will be given out in 2022. These awards are for one year and are not based on financial need.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund services 68 of the 75 counties in Arkansas along with Bowie County, TX. We provide scholarships to single parents pursuing postsecondary education.
Applying for one of the single parent scholarships offered by ASPSF is easy! Follow the steps outlined below, and you will be on your way.
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$500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This award is for single parents who are residents of Desha County, AR. Students must be high school graduates or older at the time of application, and demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
11
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This award is for need-based single parents in Conway County, Arkansas. The student must be a high school graduate and pursuing an undergraduate degree. Applicants must have at least a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Your household income must not be more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$4,000
Award Amount
11
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
Single Parent Scholarships are awarded to eligible single parents who are residents of Greene County, Arkansas. The applicant must have a grade point average of 2.0 or better and apply for a Pell Grant to be eligible for this award.
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$563
Award Amount
20
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Hempstead County, Arkansas residents who are pursuing a career-oriented course of study (full- or part-time) to ensure a better standard of living for their families. Students must be single (never married, legally separated, divorced, or widowed) with legal custody and sole responsibility for one or more children under the age of 18.
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$3,000
Award Amount
54
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to Central American/Latino students who are residents of and studying in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Los Angeles area, or San Fernando Valley. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate financial need, have a history of community involvement, and be willing to serve as a mentor if selected for a scholarship.
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$5,000
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 and have experience in community service and/or employment. 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 a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher and be graduates of Lemon Bay High School or the Academy at Charlotte Vocational Technical Center.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who are graduates of Lemon Bay High School OR a student at Manatee Community College OR a resident of the Englewood 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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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are a graduate 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, be pursuing vocational training for a trade or skill that will lead to gainful employment, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who can provide evidence of one year of legal residency in North Port, 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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$5,000
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 and have experience in community service and/or employment. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher and have been involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for at least one year.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who reside or are students in Kentucky and are enrolled in a travel and tourism- or hospitality-related program of study. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for residents of Johnson County, Tenn, who are attending Northeast State Technical Community College.
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$2,100
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for high school seniors in Scott County, Va., attending Gate City High School, Rye Cove High School, or Twin Springs High School. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with demonstrated financial need.
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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