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.
$2,800
Award Amount
3,047
Awards
Deadline
This award is available for South Carolina resident high school seniors who plan to attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university. The student must have a cumulative grade point ratio of 3.0 or higher based on the Uniform Grading Scale upon high school graduation.
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$6,000
Award Amount
6,129
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 grade point average of 3.75 or higher and a 1280 or higher SAT (math and critical reading only) or 29 or higher ACT score.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5,000
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship initiative was enacted into law by the Nevada Legislature, creating this scholarship to be administered by the State Treasurer. Nevada high school students with GPAs of 3.25 or higher and planning to attend postsecondary institutions in Nevada are eligible.
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$3,235
Award Amount
18,919
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is for Oklahoma high school students who are planning to attend college in Oklahoma. The student must be in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade at time of application, and have a family income of $50,000 or less.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available to Florida high school seniors and undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least six semester hours at an eligible Florida college or university. The applicant must demonstrate unmet financial need of $200 or more (as determined by the institution) and be a first generation college student.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need. The student must currently be under the custody of the Vermont Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), or be 18-24 years of age and have been under DCF custody for at least six months between the ages of 16 and 18.
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$4,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This grant is available for Indiana residents undergratuate students who are enrolled part-time at an eligible Indiana college or university. The student must demonstrate financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Montana high school seniors who plan to attend a two- or four-year Montana college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, or an SAT score of 1440 or higher (math and reading sections only), or an ACT score of 20 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Tennessee residents who enroll in a certificate or diploma program at a Tennessee Technology Center (TTC). All eligible students who apply on time are automatically considered for this award.
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$250,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This full-tuition scholarship is available for U.S. and international first-year students who plan to attend Babson College in Massachusetts. Students must have a straight-A average and rank in the top 5 percent of their class to be competitive.
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$2,100
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This grant is available to Oregon resident undergraduate students who are enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in Oregon. Students must display financial need of $2,000 or more to be considered for an award.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This grant is available to Oregon residents who are currently attending or planning to attend a licensed school of barbering, hair design, cosmetology, or manicure in Oregon. The student must enroll full time and demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. high school students starting college in the fall of 2016 as well as current college freshmen, sophomore and juniors who have been impacted by multiple sclerosis both directly or as a family member.
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$965
Award Amount
443
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for New Jersey high school seniors who reside in designated high-need communities and plan to attend an eligible New Jersey institution. Students must rank in the top 5 percent of their high school class and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; students must also demonstrate financial need as calculated by HESAA.
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$28,829
Award Amount
4
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to dependent children of New Jersey law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate course of study at an approved New Jersey college or university.
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$24,250
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are children, spouses and financial dependents of individuals killed as a direct result of American Airlines Flight 587’s crash in the Belle Harbor neighborhood of Queens, New York on the morning of November 12, 2001. Students must be attending or planning to attend an eligible postsecondary institution in New York.
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$1,418
Award Amount
1,456
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This grant is available for Pennsylvania students who are recipients of the Pennsylvania State Grant and attending an eligible Pennsylvania college or university. Students must be nominated by a participating PATH organization and must demonstrate financial need as determined by their institution.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school graduates who are at least 21 years of age and enrolling in a participating career college.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is for Alaska resident undergraduate students who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational certificate program at a qualifying Alaska institution. The student must be enrolled at least half time and display a minimum unmet financial need of $500.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who have a parent/guardian who is a full-time, active employee of a police, sheriff's, or fire department. The student must be 15 to 20 years of age.
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$1,074
Award Amount
2,482
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Florida undergraduate students who are attending an eligible Florida private postsecondary institution. Students must apply through their institution's financial aid office.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Louisiana resident high school students who are planning to attend an approved postsecondary institution in Louisiana. The student must demonstrate financial need greater than $0 after deducting the student's Expected Family Contribution and Federal Pell Grant Award from the Cost of Attendance.
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$51,880
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This full-tuition scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who plan to major in computer science or information technology and systems at Marist College. Students must be academicially talented and demonstrate financial need by being Pell Grant eligible.
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$25,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are of Italian descent (at least one Italian or Italian American grandparent). Students must plan to enroll or be enrolled at a four-year accredited academic institution.
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$2,116
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award to open to U.S. students who are high school seniors, college undergraduate or graduate students who will be full-time students at a U.S. college or university for the 2018-2019 academic year.
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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