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 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Ohio. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Oregon. The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$775
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of an eligible Southern state. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Florida. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,950
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international students who plan to study nursing in the United States. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Washington. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$900
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Oklahoma. The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$34,791
Award Amount
235
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for international students who are citizens of a nation in the western hemisphere other than Cuba and the United States. Applicants must plan to attend a public Texas college or university.
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$41,000
Award Amount
41,000
Awards
Mar 2
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of California and are planning to or currently attending an eligible college or university in the state of California. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must meet certain family income and asset requirements as set by the state of California.
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$5,715
Award Amount
485
Awards
Mar 2
Deadline
This award is available for non-residents of Texas who are enrolled in one of the following public universities in Texas: Midwestern State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Galveston, or West Texas A&M University.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 21
Deadline
Canadian and U.S. students who are members or are the children of members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) are eligible for this award. Children of members must be high school seniors at time of application, while members may apply at any time during their undergraduate studies.
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$500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 27
Deadline
This award will be given to applicants who wish to pursue floral training at any accredited floral design school, state association or credentialed class, community college, junior college, university level, or attendance at a regional or state floral industry convention. The applicant must be a resident of Texas.
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$2,800
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Michigan resident undergraduate students who are attending independent, degree-granting Michigan institutions. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$28,566
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to Georgia high school seniors who are planning to attend Georgia Military College. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an SAT score of 800 or higher OR an ACT score of 17 or higher. Recipients must agree to serve in the Georgia National Guard.
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$892,500
Award Amount
42
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available to Georgia high school seniors who are planning to attend the University of North Georgia. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and a score of 920 or higher on the SAT or 20 or higher on the ACT. Recipients must agree to serve in the Georgia Army National Guard.
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$1,023
Award Amount
34,462
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of Georgia and planning to attend an eligible private college or university in Georgia. The student must be enrolled full-time in a program of study leading to a undergraduate degree.
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$72,000
Award Amount
18
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are legal residents of Georgia are attending a Georgia public college, university, or technical institute. The Student must be the natural or adopted dependent child of a Georgia law enforcement officer, fire fighter, EMT, correction officer, or prison guard who was permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty.
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$2,538
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available to Texas resident students who are blind and/or deaf who attend public colleges or universities in the state of Texas. The student must provide certification from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services of status as a blind person or a deaf person.
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$5,623
Award Amount
1,083
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for Texas resident high school seniors who graduate as valedictorians from a Texas high school and are planning to enroll in a public Texas college or university.
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$29,000
Award Amount
29
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
International and U.S. students currently enrolled full time in undergraduate or graduate programs at four-year colleges or universities located in North America are eligible to apply for this award. Students must have declared a major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, or criminal justice, and demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in fraud examination or similar anti-fraud profession.
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$2,570
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for Texas resident undergraduate students who are attending a public Texas college or university. Applicants must be permanently disabled as a result of an injury suffered during the performance of a duty as a peace officer of Texas or a political subdivision of Texas.
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$2,104
Award Amount
3,608
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for Texas resident students who have been in the care or conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS). Applicant must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in a public Texas college or university no later than his/her 25th birthday.
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$1,549
Award Amount
45,885
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available to Virginia resident undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in an approved degree program at a participating public college or university in Virginia.
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$3,900
Award Amount
11,780
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for Virginia resident undergraduate students who are attending an eligible institution in Virginia. Students must graduate from a Virginia high school with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and demonstrate financial need, as determined by completing the FAFSA.
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$1,600
Award Amount
5
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair Association annually offers scholarships to students majoring or planning to major in agriculture, veterinary medicine, or other fields of study. The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage personal growth and knowledge.
An applicant must be at least a high school senior at the time of application and a resident of one of the following Florida counties: Duval, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, or St. Johns County. The applicant must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a four year university, junior college, or technical institution.
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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