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.
$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to Clay County, Florida, residents studying nursing at St. Johns River State College. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$18,000
Award Amount
9
Awards
Feb 29
Deadline
This award is for U.S. female students, who are college freshmen or older, and are members of a sorority that is in good standing with the National Panhellenic Council and CAPA. Applicants must have graduated from a high school in the Greater Cleveland area and have a permanent residence in the same Greater Cleveland area which includes the counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Summit and Ashtabula.
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$1,750
Award Amount
25
Awards
Feb 29
Deadline
This scholarship is for current high school seniors who plan to attend WyoTech's Blairsville, Laramie, or Daytona Beach campuses. Selection is based on academic performance, financial need, the quality of the letter of recommendation, and the quality of the student's personal essay.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 29
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of the state of Illinois. Applicants must be pursuing or continuing to pursue a career in real estate education.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are residents of the state of Illinois. Applicants must be pursuing or continuing to pursue a career in association management.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students who are residents of the state of Illinois. Applicants must have held a valid real estate license for a minimum of one year, working in Illinois and be pursuing a career in real estate leadership training.
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$1,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who are cancer survivors. Students must be between 18 and 35 years of age.
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$3,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The Two Ten Foundation Footwear Design Scholarship is available to any student who is studying design with a focus on footwear. Applications will be judged on the quality of the submitted materials and the financial need of the applicant. Applications open Jan. 7 and close April 1. Learn more and apply today!
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$3,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available to any U.S. student with a bleeding disorder who is able to demonstrate commitment to improving the quality of his/her life by pursuing his/her goals with determination.
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$1,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Oct 18
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and international undergraduate students who are studying a computer-related field at a North American university. Selections are primarily based on the quality of research projects. Unless a student has completed significant research in the computing field, they are not eligible for this award and should not seek nomination.
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$7,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to international women and U.S. women working on a professional, masters, or doctoral degree as well as women enrolled in postdoctoral study.
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$20,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This award is available for Hispanic undergraduate students who are legal residents of Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Baker or Nassau counties, Florida for three years or more. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher at time of application.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for international students and U.S. students students who will be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the fall following the deadline date.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to international and U.S. women enrolled or planning to enroll in a graduate or undergraduate program related to medicine or health sciences.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. and international students enrolled full time in a degree-granting graduate or undergraduate program in counseling.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to graduate and undergraduate students studying in the United States and enrolled in a degree program in elementary or secondary education.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This award is available for undegraduate members of Alpha Gamma Rho with demonstrated financial need and leadership potential. First preference will be given to students at Iowa State University.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are legal residents of Santa Barbara County, California. Students must graduate from a Santa Barbara County high school and plan to attend a two- or four year school full time.
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$1,600
Award Amount
13
Awards
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students who have attended at least four of the six secondary grade school years at a southern Santa Barbara County school and will be seniors graduating from a southern Santa Barbara County high school . Applicants must plan to major in art or an art-related field and be willing to submit a portfolio of their works.
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$10,000
Award Amount
14
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. citizens who are legally blind. Applications are accepted at the beginning of the student's senior year in high school. Award selection and payment is made one year following the deadline for use in college.
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$2,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 5
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students and graduate students in Wisconsin with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, who are legally blind or significantly visually impaired.
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$2,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. graduating high school seniors who are legal residents of Goleta, Santa Barbara, or Carpinteria, California and will graduate from a southern Santa Barbara County high school. Students must demonstrate a very high level of academic achievement.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 25
Deadline
This award is available for full-time international and U.S students majoring in horticulture. Applicants must be nominated by the chair/head of the department in which they are majoring.
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$27,000
Award Amount
9
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Iowa high school seniors who have worked in their community to reduce homophobia and increase awareness and tolerance of gay and lesbian issues.
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$1,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for students who are legal residents of Pinellas and Hillsborough County, Florida. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and be pursuing a manufacturing and/or technology-based career.
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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