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
Feb 10
Deadline
This award is for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an HR (human resources) area. Students must be national student members of SHRM, and must take the PHR or GPHR exam within the next 12 months or have already taken the exam and wish to receive the scholarship to cover expenses incurred.
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$1,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. students who are planning to attend the University of Indianapolis as first-time freshmen. The student must be a certified member of the United Methodist Church.
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$48,000
Award Amount
50
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. high school students who are planning to attend the University of Indianapolis. Students must demonstrate academic excellence as determined by GPA and completing a strong college preparatory curriculum during high school.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors or older who will be attending Olivet College in Michigan with a sibling. Both siblings must attend full time.
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$48,000
Award Amount
200
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for international and U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend Augsburg College in Kentucky. The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an ACT score of 23 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S college undergraduate students who are planning to transfer to Augsburg College, Minnesota. The student must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
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$52,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are planning to attend Augsburg College in Minnesota. Students must be the child, spouse of an Augsburg College alumni or the sibling of a current Augsburg College student. Children and spouses of current Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) pastors are also eligible.
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$20,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors who plan to attend Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina full time and live on campus. The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and either an SAT score (reading/math) of 1000 or higher or an ACT score of 21 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is for students who are first-time-in-college freshmen, transfer students, or currently enrolled undergraduate students at the University of North Florida. Students must major in an area in the School of Computing and meet certain academic requirements.
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$43,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who are National Merit or Achievement Finalists, or National Hispanic Scholars and plan to attend New College of Florida.
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$10,216
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school senior women who attend a high school in the greater Cleveland, OH area. Students must plan to attend Ohio University and have an unweighted grade point average of 3.5 or higher and an SAT score of 1140 or higher or an ACT score of 25 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Thomas Knowlton Award recognizes those individuals who have significantly contributed to the promotion of Army Intelligence. U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are studying in fields related to alliance building, counterintelligence, cultural understanding, and national security.
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$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This contest is open to all students who were enrolled as undergraduates at a U.S. college or university. Students must design a direct marketing campaign for a real client.
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$2,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Mar 8
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school juniors and seniors who are residents of Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains, or southwest Iowa. Students must be nominated by a high school principal, guidance counselor, teacher, or community leader.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWTF) will award this scholarship to a female high school senior who will be pursuing a degree in information systems, business applications, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering or information security. Applicants must be Michigan residents with a GPA 3.0.
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$15,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWTF) will award this scholarship to a female undergraduate student who is pursuing a degree in information systems, business applications, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering or information security. The student must be a resident of Michigan and maintain a grade point average of 3.0.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 16
Deadline
The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for Black/African American, Hispanic, Native North American and Pacific Islander college students intent on a career in the actuarial profession.
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$9,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and current/returning college students who have at least two years of academic college-level work yet to complete. Students must have a desire and intention to pursue a professional career in the areas of aviation management, aeronautics, aerospace engineering, aeronautical mechanics and electronics, or other related fields.
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$10,500
Award Amount
23
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who meet one of the three eligibility classes: a beneficiary of the 100 Club of Arizona or immediate family member of a beneficiary; an immediate family member of a member of the eligible class (public safety officer or firefighter who was injured or killed in the line of duty); or an immediate family member of a member of the eligible class who met retirement eligibility of the applicable retirement system.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for currently enrolled U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who have an intention to enter the game industry in some capacity. The student must have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 31
Deadline
Calling all high school, college, and graduate students, let us help you get the money you need for college. The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program that helps students fulfill their dreams of higher education. The scholarship is named for Gen and Kelly Tanabe, best-selling authors on education, whose generous donations fund this program.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. female, minority high school seniors who are currently attending a high school in the Bronx or Manhattan. Students must have a cumulative, weighted grade point average of 80 or higher (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale).
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$2,188
Award Amount
2,242
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are planning to attend an eligible college or university in Oklahoma. Students must be a National Merit Scholar, National Merit Finalist or United States Presidential Scholar, OR be an Oklahoma resident and score at or above the 99.5 percentile on the ACT or SAT, OR be nominated by their institution after meeting academic criteria.
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$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to Tennessee high school seniors who are planning to attend an eligible postsecondary institution in Tennessee. The student must have a weighted grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a 980 or higher SAT (math and critical reading only) or 21 or higher ACT score. Learn more and apply today!
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Texas residents who are graduating from an accredited Texas high school and rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Students must plan to enroll full time in a Texas public two- or four-year college or university, and demonstrate financial need.
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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