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.
$44,000
Award Amount
18
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 31 and 36 and a high school cumulative 3.5 grade point average OR who are National Merit Finalists or Semifinalists are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$38,000
Award Amount
80
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 28 and 30 and a high school cumulative 3.5 grade point average are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$28,000
Award Amount
148
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 25 and 27 and a high school cumulative 3.25 grade point average are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$12,000
Award Amount
90
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen with an ACT score between 23 and 24 and a high school cumulative 3.0 grade point average are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas. Non-traditional students may apply if they have never attended college.
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$400
Award Amount
5
Awards
Sep 14
Deadline
U.S. and international high school seniors who plan to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York in the upcoming fall semester are eligible to apply for this award. Applicants must exhibit academic excellence, demonstrate leadership skills, and commit to health and well-being.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
This award is available for California residents who are attending or planning to attend a vocational nursing program at a college/university in the state of California with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 23
Deadline
This award is available for California residents who are attending or planning to attend a licensed vocational nursing to associate degree nursing program at a college/university in the state of California.
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$25,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 23
Deadline
This award is available for California residents attending a college/university in the state of California with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students must be currently accepted or enrolled into a field of dentist, dental hygienist, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, physician assistant or clinical nurse specialist.
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$2,250
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. residents aged 19 or younger are eligible to enter this film-making contest. Students must submit a four-minute film on a specified censorship topic.
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$64,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.6 or higher and an ACT/SAT score of 30 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University in Minnesota.
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$64,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement and plan to attend the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University in Minnesota are eligible for this award. Past recipients have had a grade point average between 3.55-4.0 and ACT scores of 25-28.
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$128,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement and plan to attend the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University in Minnesota are eligible for this award. Past recipients have had a grade point average between 3.15-3.55 and an ACT score between 21-24 or an SAT score between 1100-1250.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 21
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a career in TV broadcast journalism are eligible for this award. Students must be of Hispanic descent.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in any major with a grade point average of 3.3 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must have the intention to enter the game industry as a developer of interactive entertainment. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are of Armenian descent and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need and participate in Aremnian community service.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are accepted or enrolled in a degree program in nursing. Students must reside and attend college/university in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 9
Deadline
U.S. single mothers who are entering or continuing school in an accredited institution in order to learn a marketable skill which will lead to economic independence are eligible for this award. Students must reside and attend college/university in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 9
Deadline
U.S. women who are 35 years of age or older and are re-entering or continuing school n order to learn a marketable skill which will lead to economic self-sufficiency are eligible for this award. Students must live and attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 9
Deadline
U.S. students who are enrolled in a community college film, television, cinema, or theater program and have completed at least 12 credits in their program are eligible for this award. Students must reside and attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. women who are 35 years of age or older and are re-entering or continuing school in order to learn a marketable skill which will lead to economic self-sufficiency. Students must reside and attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 11
Deadline
NBAA Charities offers scholarships to promote professionalism and career advancement for aviation professionals. U.S. and international students who are 18 year or older, who are current, aspiring schedulers or dispatchers are eligible for this award. Scholarships for up to $10,000 are being awarded.
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$1,173
Award Amount
13,906
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Massachusetts high school students who are enrolled or plan to enroll in a public Massachusetts college or university. Students must have earned a Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) grade 10 test score that ranks in the top 25 percent in their school district.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 30
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and attend an Aurora, Colorado public high school are eligible for this award. Students must submit two or more expository writing pieces to apply.
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$24,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Oct 1
Deadline
U.S. students enrolled in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technician program are eligible for this award.
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$20,000
Award Amount
16
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. students aged 14 through 19 in grades 8 through 12 are eligible to enter this essay contest. Students must write an essay of no more than 800 words on the Bill of Rights.
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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