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
1
Award
Nov 29
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who are able to call ducks and willing to compete in the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas.
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$2,333
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
This award is available for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are enrolled in a curriculum leading to a bachelor's of science degree in animal science, meat science, food science or a related discipline at an accredited four-year college or university. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and remain in good academic standing during the term of the scholarship.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 14
Deadline
This award is for international and U.S. students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in satellite communications are eligible for this award. Students must be high school seniors or older to apply.
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$12,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
May 1
Deadline
U.S. high school juniors and seniors and college freshmen who are either residents of Connecticut or New York City or enrolled or planning to enroll in a Connecticut or New York City institution are eligible for this award. Students must have come up with creative solutions to problems faced by their schools, communities, or families, or who have solved artistic, scientific or technical problems in distinctive ways.
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$2,979
Award Amount
705
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
This award is available to Minnesota undergraduate and graduate students who are of one-quarter or more American Indian ancestry and are attending accredited institutions in Minnesota. The student must demonstrate financial need by being qualified for a Pell or state grant.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who have been accepted to or are currently attending an accredited school of occupational therapy to pursue a career in occupational therapy (including art, music, or physical therapy). Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. Native American students who are undergraduate or graduate students (preference is given to undergraduates). Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are graduating high school seniors attending one of the eligible public or private high schools in the Cedar Rapids/College Community/Linn-Mar/Marion areas are eligible for this award. Students must rank in the top 1/3 of their graduating class, participate in extracurricular activities inside and outside of school, have a clear sense of his/her career goals, and demonstrate financial need.
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$8,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 1
Deadline
U.S. students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa who plan to transfer to Stevenson University in Maryland are eligible for this award. Students must have completed 12 or more credit hours of college coursework.
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$20,800
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
International and U.S. high school seniors who are planning to enroll at Stevenson University are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate academic achievement.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who are the children of attendees of the former Lincoln Community High School in Iowa are eligible for this award.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who are graduating from a high school in the Lone Tree School District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa are eligible for this award. Students must be active members of the Future Farmers of America, and plan to attend a college in Iowa.
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$1,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors who are attending Washington High School in Cedar Rapids and are planning to enroll full time at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
High school seniors graduating from high schools in the metropolitan Linn-Mar, College Community, and Marion school districts are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Iowa State University, the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa.
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$1,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
High school seniors graduating from Clear Creek-Amana, Linn County, or Iowa County high schools in Iowa are eligible for this award. Students must be planning to pursue a career in engineering, architecture or construction, and must plan to attend an Iowa college.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors of Czech, Slovak or Moravian heritage who are graduating from a high school in Linn County, Iowa. Students must plan to enroll full time at a college or university in Iowa.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2,000
Awards
Dec 6
Deadline
The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship is awarded based on the student's academics, leadership abilities, work experiences and strong commitment to their community. High school seniors with a GPA of 2.8 or higher who are residents of an area serviced by Comcast are eligible for this award.
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$1,137,080
Award Amount
20
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
This award is for students who are graduating high school seniors planning to enroll full time at Boston University in Massachusetts. Students must have a grade point average of 3.9 or higher, rank in the top one percent of their graduating classes, and have an SAT/ACT score of 1500/35 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is for current undergraduate students who are majoring in industrial engineering, have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher, and are members of the Institute of Industrial Engineers.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is for college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and are members of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers. The student must major in industrial engineering and may attend an institution in the U.S., its territories, Canada or Mexico.
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$1,000
Award Amount
17
Awards
Apr 20
Deadline
This merit-based and need-based scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are the dependent/spouse/customer/employee of, or sponsored by, a member of the National Pawnbrokers Association who has been in good standing for the previous 12 months or a member in good standing for the previous 12 months who was killed in the line of duty OR a dependent or spouse of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for California students who are pursuing a certificate/associate's, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in dental hygiene, or a degree completion or alternative practice program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and be student or professional members of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Free Career Fit Test™, along with the premium report and Bonus CFT Career Mastery Program, is your key to discovering your ideal career and life purpose. This comprehensive career test guides you to work you love – a true calling, not just a job.
Start with the free career test today to uncover your ideal career and purpose. The Career Fit Test™ features a career skills assessment, aptitude test, and personality quiz.
We are trusted by universities, career coaches and companies around the world, and have helped hundreds of students find direction in choosing a well-fitting career path.
We understand the overwhelming number of career opportunities available to students and how difficult this can be to navigate. CareerFitter has tailored its career assessment tool to examine multiple factors of the person to ensure a range of considerations is made to find an appropriate career.
For the 2025 award, we have doubled the value to $1000 to further our support of students and their education. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. A specific major is not required for this award, but the applicant should have above a 2.4 Grade Point Average.
We look forward to your application!
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$2,000
Award Amount
30
Awards
Oct 31
Deadline
Undergraduate or graduate students who are residents of California and active members of the California School Employees Association are eligible for this award. Applications are available on the California School Employee Association (CSEA) website only to members upon the creation of an account.
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$2,400
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are members of the Public Relations Society of America. Applicants must have unmet financial need and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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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