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
20
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Muslim American high school seniors who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must also demonstrate leadership experience and volunteer service.
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$1,550
Award Amount
30,172
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is for North Carolina undergraduate students who are attending North Carolina colleges or universities. The student must demonstrate financial need by having a federally calculated Expected Family Contribution of $5,000 or less, as determined by the FAFSA.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are attending Cottey College in Missouri. Students must demonstrate a strong academic proficiency in art, dance, music, or theatre/speech.
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$196,000
Award Amount
14
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors who plan to attend Furman University in South Carolina. Recipients typically have SAT scores of 1500 or higher or ACT scores of 34 or higher.
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$700,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for South Carolina high school seniors who plan to attend Furman University. Students must demonstrate high academic achievement and a strong commitment to civic leadership and community service.
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$20,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Jewish undergraduate students who immigrated to the United States through the assistance of HIAS Chicago and/or applied for permanent residency or citizenship with the assistance of HIAS Chicago between Jan. 1, 2000 and the present. The student must have lived in the United States since March 1 or earlier.
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$2,500
Award Amount
9
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. female undergraduate students who are planning a career in information technology or a related field. The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$64,980
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend the University of Richmond in VA. Scholarships are awarded based on leadership, academic achievement, and personal qualities.
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$259,920
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. high school seniors who plan to atted the University of Richmond. Students must major in the sciences and exhibit a strong potential for the successful pursuit of a career in a science, math, or computer science field.
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$259,920
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. and international high school seniors who plan to attend the University of Richmond. Students must display extraordinary artistic talent and plan to major or minor in the visual or performing arts.
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$2,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are residents of Arkansas. Students must have a documented learning disability.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 27
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are 16 years of age or older at time of application and are of Asian Pacific Island/Pan-Asian American heritage. Students must have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher, be involved in community service, and demonstrate financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 27
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are 16 years of age or older at time of application and are of Asian Pacific Island/Pan-Asian American heritage. Students must have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher, be involved in community service, and demonstrate financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 1
Deadline
The Mike Molino RV Learning Center’s Scholarship program encourages deserving college undergraduates to apply for the annual college award of $2,500. The program provides financial assistance to help foster the NEXT GENERATION of RV INDUSTRY LEADERS. Therefore, an important factor for awarding the scholarship is an applicant’s background of RV industry employment or a desire to work in the RV business after completing college. RV dealers and industry related companies are able to offer this opportunity to their staff and dependents of their employees.
A poster publicizing the scholarship is available through the RV Learning Center. Dealers may display them in the workplace to alert employees of the opportunity
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Sep 30
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. college sophomores who are pursuing an associate's degree in nursing. Students must be a member of a local, state, or national student nurse association and actively participate in the association, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors in Texas who have taken leadership roles to prevent litter in their schools and/or communities. Students must pursue a two- or four-year degree at a university or college in Texas.
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$1,500
Award Amount
7
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. and Canadian students in their first, second, or third years at a two- or four-year college or university who plan to pursue a career in the dairy industry are eligible to apply for this award. Applicants must demonstrate leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, and a special interest and ability in showing dairy cattle in their best natural form.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. students who are currently enrolled at a two-year agricultural college majoring in dairy or animal science are eligible to apply for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. freshman students majoring in dairy or animal science are eligible to apply for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and be involved in volunteer work.
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$1,125
Award Amount
15
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
Undergraduate and graduate U.S. and international students who are members of Upsilon Pi Epsilon are eligible for this award. Students must submit a recommendation from their UPE chapter advisor.
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$2,000
Award Amount
25
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who are residents of certain counties in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for this award. Students must plan to enroll full time and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who reside or are students in Ohio and are enrolled in a travel and tourism- or hospitality-related program of study. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who have been involved with Becca's Closet are eligible to apply for this award. Students must enroll full time and have an unweighted grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 29
Deadline
Rebecca was a passionate, bright, fun-loving young woman who loved being with her friends and felt that no one should miss a high school event because they couldn’t afford to be there. She saw the inequity in the situation and sought to change things. During the Spring of her sophomore year, Becca singlehandedly collected and donated over 250 formal dresses and helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their High School proms in style.
To keep Becca's dream alive, countless dedicated people throughout the United States have joined forces to provide opportunities for those who seek them. Although the core mission of Becca's Closet, located in the Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach, FL, was to collect and distribute dresses to high school girls with financial need, our goals have expanded to offer additional opportunities for deserving young people. In the spirit of Rebecca's visions and aspirations, our foundation raises funds to award post-secondary educational scholarships recognizing the exemplary efforts of young men and women nationwide who demonstrate Becca's spirit of generosity in their own communities.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who reside or attend school in Utah and are enrolled in a travel and tourism- or hospitality-related program of study. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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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