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
1
Award
Deadline
Engineering students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and have an interest in railway engineering. Priority will be given to students attending Clarkson University in New York.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Deadline
Engineering students enrolled in an undergraduate program at an institution located in Norfolk Southern's service area are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and have an interest in railroad engineering.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 6
Deadline
Engineering students who have completed one or more terms at Ohio State University are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and have an interest in railway engineering.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
Missouri high school seniors with an ACT score of 31 or higherand a grade point average of 3.75 or higher are also eligible.
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors, high school graduates, or current college students between the ages of 17 and 30 in Orange County who wish to pursue a career in the field of restaurant or hotel management are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, demonstrate financial need, and enroll full time.
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
High school seniors graduating from schools in the Laguna Beach Unified or Santa Ana Unified School District who plan to major in writing or music are eligible for this award. Students must enroll full time and demonstrate financial need.
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$3,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors from San Clemente High School in California who plan to study math, science, or art at an accredited four-year university or college.
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$20,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who are residents of Michigan planning to attend Lake Superior State University are eligible for this award. Applicants must meet a minimum of 185 points based on the combination of grade point average and ACT composite score.
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$80,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
High school seniors or undergraduate students who have attended a Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District high school are eligible for this award. Students must be immigrants to the United States who came to the country with or without parents OR a first-generation United States citizen of immigrant parents or guardians.
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$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 15
Deadline
U.S. women who are 17 years of age or older and have been out of the workforce for a period of time, need to upgrade their skills or education in order to succeed, or need to change careers in order to improve their earning ability are eligible for this award. Students must enroll in an undergraduate program and be residents of Onslow County, North Carolina, for six or more months at time of application.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are amateur golfers or plan to pursue a golf-oriented career are eligible for this award.
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$12,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
To enter any contest, you must be a high school junior or senior between the ages of 14 and 20; or a full-time undergraduate college student between the ages of 15 and 25. If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must sign an eligibility form.
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$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 4
Deadline
This award is for mothers of multiples currently attending or planning to attend a college, university, trade or vocational school.
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$4,600
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are of American Indian or Alaskan Native ancestry and are permanent residents of California or members of a California-based tribe. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students pursuing an associate's, bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students majoring in a STEM course of study at Diné College, Navajo Technical College, or Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be members of the Navajo Nation tribe and have membership in a Shiprock Agency Chapter.
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$1,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and are residents of Oklahoma and enrolled members or descendants of an Oklahoma tribe.
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$3,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent who are enrolled at Ilisagvik College in Alaska or Northwest Indian College in Washington are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and major in natural resource management, environmental studies, public health, economic development, or social sciences.
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$2,400
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need are eligible for this award. Students must be Colorado residents or members of the Southern Ute tribe or Ute Mountain Ute tribe.
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$1,250
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives attending a tribal college are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must major in math, technology, science, engineering, and/or business.
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$8,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives who are single parents are eligible for this award. Students must attend a tribal institution and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must either be single parents or enrolled in the first year of an associate's degree program, and must be enrolled at selected tribal colleges.
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$5,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate American Indian or Alaskan Natives enrolled at Dine College, Tohono O'odham Community College, Navajo Technical College are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and pursue a health-related career.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors enrolled in school in Madison County, Madison City, Huntsville City, or Lawrence County who are planning to attend four-year Alabama colleges or universities are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an SAT/ACT score of 990/21.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award assists students in paying for higher education. Our goal is to educate as many students as possible about the perils of cyberbullying through the program. Students write an essay about how cyberbullying has affected them.
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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
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff