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.
$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Oct 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are majoring in or planning to major in engineering, metallurgy, or materials science with plans to have a career in the iron and steel industry. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in the field of metallurgy. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This is an award for an international or U.S. student who is majoring in engineering and plans to work in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) profession. The student must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher to be eligible.
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$20,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
The Willis H. Carrier Scholarships are two annual $10,000 undergraduate engineering scholarships. Eligible applicants should be international or U.S. students majoring in engineering and pursuing careers in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) profession. Students must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher to be eligible.
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$7,679
Award Amount
18
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are 17 to 24 years of age and have experienced the death of a parent or legal guardian. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$72,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current undergraduate students at Juniata College in Pennsylvania. Students must have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher, as well as a combined SAT score of 1320 or higher, or an ACT score of 30 or higher. Students must also be left-handed.
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$27,856
Award Amount
285
Awards
Oct 30
Deadline
This scholarship is for high school seniors who have caddied, successfully and regularly, for two or more years at a Western Golf Association (WGA) member club. Eligible students must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have taken the ACT; students must also attend an eligible college as defined by the Evans Scholars Foundation.
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$4,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who plan to pursue a career in the technical aspects of broadcasting. Preference will be given to applicants who are members of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) and/or are employed at least part-time in broadcast engineering.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. high school seniors who are cancer survivors or are currently diagnosed with cancer. Students must be attending a high school in a county served by The Ashley Foundation as of the beginning of the current academic year. The following counties in Maryland are eligible: Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington.
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$300
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for a current U.S. college student who is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and has participated in a professional internship during September to August in the year following application.
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$800
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate students who plan to attend Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma. The applicant must be a twin whose twin sibling will also attend the college.
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$2,150
Award Amount
10
Awards
Sep 1
Deadline
This room fee waiver is awarded to high school seniors attending Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College who have a twin or triplet sibling(s) also attending the college. Students must live on campus, but are not required to room with their sibling(s).
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
High school seniors who plan to enroll in an ABET-accredited engineering program is eligible for this award. An eligible applicant must have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher, and have SAT/ACT scores ranking in the 90th percentile.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are majoring in or planning to major in engineering, metallurgy, or materials science with plans to have a career in the iron and steel industry. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors who reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and unmet financial need.
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$10,000
Award Amount
31
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who are residents of South Dakota and demonstrate critical financial need.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to undergraduate and graduate women majoring in engineering. This scholarship is intended for re-entry/non-traditional students.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for female engineering students who are returning to school after a period of absence of two or more years. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, except for first-year re-entry students.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. female incoming and current college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are majoring in computer, electrical, or mechanical engineering and enroll full time at select preferred schools. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher if freshmen or 3.0 or higher if not a freshman.
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$20,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. and international students who will be attending Sterling College in Vermont for the first time in the fall are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate academic merit and a commitment to the environment in order to be eligible for this award.
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$12,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate an interest in a career in the employee benefits field through either course of study or work experience. The applicant must be a resident of a New England state or be enrolled in a college in New England.
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$2,600
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are attending or planning to attend South Florida Community College. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and priority will be given to students who have a grade point average between 2.0 and 3.0.
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$2,600
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are enrolled or planning to enroll full time in a nursing program at South Florida Community College (SFCC). Applicants must be a resident of the SFCC service area, demonstrate financial need and express a "good faith" intention to seek employment in Highlands county following graduation.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. students enrolled or planning to enroll full time in a degree or certificate program at South Florida Community College. The applicant must be a permanent resident of one of the following Florida counties: DeSoto, Highlands, or Hardee. Preference will be given to students who are citrus majors, students who show academic potential and students with unmet financial need.
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$3,800
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 17
Deadline
The scholarship is for students involved in forensics, theater, dance or the arts who plan to attend Tallahassee Community College.
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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