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
2
Awards
May 20
Deadline
International and U.S. undergraduate students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be 16 years of age or older. One to two $500 awards are offered each year. Preference will be given to students with a mobility disability. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Read More
View Scholarship
$77,530
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
This award is available for students who are legal residents of the state of New York and who plan to attend one of the following colleges/universities in the state of New York: Barnard College, Baruch College, Brooklyn College, Columbia University, Fordham University, Long Island University (Brooklyn campus), New York University, Pace University, Polytechnic University, St. Francis College, or St. John's University.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students studying medicinal botany during a summer semester.
Read More
View Scholarship
$5,715
Award Amount
9
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
This award is available for students who are members of Delta Chi fraternity. Students must attend the Undergraduate Inter Fraternity Institute (UIFI) seminar.
Read More
View Scholarship
$8,250
Award Amount
15
Awards
Dec 11
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of New Jersey and are enrolled in a New Jersey high school. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or above, or a minimum combined verbal, math and essay SAT score of 1260 or higher, or minimum average ACT score of 26 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$8,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Nov 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. citizens who are currently high school seniors in Los Angeles, CA, New York City, NY, and Washington, D.C. Eligible applicants must demonstrate leadership and community service, must have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher, and must demonstrate financial need.
Read More
View Scholarship
$24,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors who are residents of Los Angeles, CA, and planning to enroll in a college or university during the following academic year. Selection is based on academic achievement and extracurricular participation.
Read More
View Scholarship
$7,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors of Asian-Indian heritage with at least one parent Indian ancestry. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll full time in an undergraduate program.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors and college freshman residing in Sacramento, California. Applicants must be LGBT or a committed ally dedicated to positive change through community service and advocacy.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international high school seniors who self-identify as a supporter of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people. Applicants must be a resident of Arizona and must demonstrate an interest in service to the GLBT community.
Read More
View Scholarship
$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international high school seniors who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, as well as supporters and allies. Applicants must reside in San Mateo or Santa Clara counties in California, must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must show an interest in service to the GLBT community.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Mar 18
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. and international students, residing in San Diego County, who self-identify as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender person. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must enroll at an accredited college or university during the academic year following application for this award.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 29
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international high school seniors who self-identify as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender person, or as a supporter of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people. Applicants must reside in Connecticut and must demonstrate an interest in service to the LGBT community.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) students, and/or the children of GLBT parents. Applicants must be residents of Oregon or Clark County, Washington, for at least one year prior to submitting an application.
Read More
View Scholarship
$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) students, and LGBT advocates. Applicants must be residents of Oregon or Clark County, Washington.
Read More
View Scholarship
$10,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 19
Deadline
This award is available for currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in law or pre-law. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, interest in specific aspects of the legal profession, and academic promise.
Read More
View Scholarship
$50,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is available for graduating high school seniors who are planning to attend Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Applicants must enroll full time, and be high-achieving, well-rounded students. Scholars also have access to generous funding for two semesters of study abroad.
Read More
View Scholarship
$850
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
International and U.S. students at any level of undergraduate study are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students must be 13 to 21 years of age and complete an environmental project.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors who are residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington. Applicants must have a history of leadership and working toward positive social change. Preference is given to students who are self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), members of LGBT families, or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 7
Deadline
This award is available for students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington who are self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), members of LGBT families, or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community.
Applicants are considered a resident of one of these states if they currently live within that state and have done so for at least three months prior to the application deadline.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available for gay, lesbian, or transgendered students who are enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students majoring in social work. Applicants must be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for Asian/Pacific Islander lesbians, bisexual females, and transpeople (both MTF and FTM spectrum). Applicants must be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington state.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students under the age of 25 who graduated from any West Seattle high school or are studying music. Applicants must be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington but may study elsewhere. Preference is given to students who are self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), members of LGBT families, or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) students studying choral conducting with preference given to those committed to creating social change through music.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 6
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students under the age of 21 who demonstrate significant financial need, with preference to those that have been in foster care and those who have been homeless. Applicants must be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington. Preference is given to students who are self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), members of LGBT families, or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community.
Read More
View Scholarship
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
-
$1,500 – I Have a Dream
-
$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
-
$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
-
$2,500 – Superpower
-
$3,000 – All About Education
-
$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
-
$1,500 – Do-Over
-
$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
-
$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
-
$1,500 – Shout It Out
-
$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
-
$5,000 – Education Matters
-
$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff