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.
$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is available for students who are enrolled in a California culinary arts school. Students must be of African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian-American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic ethnicity.
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$750
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 27
Deadline
This essay contest is open to all high school students in the United States and United States Territories. Students must submit a 1,000-word essay on the current year's topic.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 8
Deadline
This award is available for currently enrolled high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and plan to enroll full-time in an accredited college or university.
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$2,750
Award Amount
166
Awards
Mar 19
Deadline
This award is available for financially needy Jewish students from Los Angeles County. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher and plan to enroll full time. Applicants must be high school seniors, undergraduates or graduates. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,750
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors residing in Mercer County, New Jersey who have demonstrated a strong commitment to community service over several years are eligible for this award. Students must plan to enroll at a four-year college or university.
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$3,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for male U.S. undergraduate students who are American Indian or Alaskan Native with proof of enrollment or descendancy. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and attend a tribal college.
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$13,000
Award Amount
13
Awards
Apr 22
Deadline
This scholarship is available to high school seniors from select states. The Student-View Scholarship is a unique opportunity for high school seniors. It is open to all students regardless of academic achievement or financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
500
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
Undergraduate single parents who reside in Saline County, Arkansas and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must live at or near the poverty level and have one or more children under the age of 18.
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$2,250
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to Jewish students who are are enrolled as an undergraduate in an accredited college, university or vocational school and whose family income is less than $90,000 per year. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better, and have already applied for a Central Scholarship interest-free loan for the current year.
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$152,000
Award Amount
175
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is for students ages 18 or older who are U.S. citizens with a B average or higher and planning a career in science, math, or engineering fields. Recipients of this award must agree to participate in summer internships for the Department of Defense and work for the Department of Defense after their schooling is completed.
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$8,165
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 24
Deadline
This scholarship is for high school juniors who have achieved excellent academic results and are from a low-income family.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 20
Deadline
Current undergraduate or graduate students who are studying metrology or a related topic are eligible for this award. Students must have a B+ or higher average in technical and mathematics courses.
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$8,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
Students applying as freshmen to the Culinary Institute of America in New York who have a demonstrated interest in food writing are eligible for this award.
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$80,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of Alabama.
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$10,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
High school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of Mississippi are eligible for this award.
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$10,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of North Dakota.
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$10,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of Ft. Worth, Texas.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of Wyoming.
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$11,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate students at North Carolina State University who have an interest in majoring in paper science. Students who are currently majoring in paper science or are majoring in a similar discipline such as chemistry, chemical engineering, or engineering are all eligible to apply.
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$15,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
Female Florida high school seniors who have an interest in golf and plan to attend a college or university in Florida are eligible to apply for this award. Students cannot have earned an athletic scholarship.
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$37,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jan 24
Deadline
This award is for students currently attending a U.S. high school. Applicants must currently be in their sophomore or junior year and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,400
Award Amount
7
Awards
Mar 20
Deadline
This award is available for Clay County, Florida high school seniors with demonstrated financial need and a grade point average of 2.5 and higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Dec 6
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Clay County (FL) high school seniors who are members of 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, or Police Explorers.
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$1,500
Award Amount
50
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. high school seniors and first-time undergraduate students no older than 25 who are dependents of members of United Auto Workers-Ford. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll full time.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 5
Deadline
This scholarship is available for female U.S. high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher who have shown an interest in the sport of golf.
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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