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
Jun 30
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in psychology and plan to seek a career in relationship counseling or a related field are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and submit an essay on the psychology of online dating.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 6
Deadline
This poetry contest is available for young poets in the United States who submit an original poem on the current scholarship slam topic. Power Poetry is an online poetry founded on the belief that words and poems can have power to change the world. Click here to learn more and apply to one of the poetry programs today!
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$3,000
Award Amount
100
Awards
Nov 5
Deadline
Wisconsin high school seniors are eligible for this award. Applicants may be a public, religious/independent, or homeschooled high school students.
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$7,077
Award Amount
13
Awards
Dec 3
Deadline
U.S. and international homeschooled high school seniors who plan to enroll in college in the upcoming fall semester are eligible for this award. Applicants must have purchased and used five full Sonlight Curriculum Core programs.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 14
Deadline
Residents of Arizona currently enrolled or planning to enroll at Arizona State University who are orphans, wards of the court, in foster care or independent students who are or have been without any family support OR majoring in computer science or a related field of study in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering OR majoring in supply chain management in the W.P. Carey School of Business are eligible for this award. Preference will be given to incoming freshmen. Students must be under the age of 21 at the time of award selection and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$7,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen who are graduates of the Lake Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home and plan to attend UNCW are eligible for this award.
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$46,000
Award Amount
23
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for students in California who have been diagnosed or personally affected by a family member's diagnosis of cancer. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$12,500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for college-bound high school seniors who live in Illinois and demonstrate a record of community service and leadership.
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$1,666
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
The Tortoise Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship is being offered to Kansas and or Missouri area high school seniors and college students who have demonstrated an entrepreneurial initiative. Applicants must also meet the academic requirements, including a 3.3 or higher grade point average.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for minority high school seniors who attend an inner-city school. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a record of community activity and/or leadership.
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$750
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
This award is available to undergraduate students from Utah who have one or more parents currently incarcerated or with a history of incarceration.
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$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must have taken challenging courses throughout high school and demonstrated strong leadership roles within the community.
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$200
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 31
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. students who are 16 years or older.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
The Shawn Carter Foundation (SCF) was founded on the belief that any motivated individual in need should have the opportunity to further his or her education. This scholarship is for U.S. students who are 25 years old or younger. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Financial need is considered.
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$1,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 31
Deadline
The Minerva Beauty Cosmotology Scholarship is available to current cosmotology students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The AfterCollege Succurro Scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$7,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
The 180 Medical Scholarship Program is for students under a physician’s care for spinal cord injury, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, or ostomy (ileostomy, colostomy, or urostomy). This opportunity is offered to legal U.S. Citizens seeking a two-year, four-year, or graduate school program full-time in the fall.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jun 21
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students who are pursuing a degree in pre-law, paralegal studies, or working towards their juris doctorate in any concentration of the law. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$176
Award Amount
6
Awards
Aug 24
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. middle school, high school and undegraduate students. Students must be 23 years old or younger to apply.
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$4,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
This award is for current undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be a resident of New Hampshire or must attend a college or university in New Hampshire.
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$5,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 24
Deadline
The Western Digital Scholarship Program is available for underprivileged and under-represented students who are majoring in STEM as well as the children and legal dependents of Western Digital Employees. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
The Financial Executives International (FEI) Scholarship is available for U.S. and international students at Santa Clara University. Applicants must have a history of academic excellence, leadership, and must demonstrate an interest in finance or accounting.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 14
Deadline
The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship is available for graduating seniors and graduates of a public or private high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County. Applicants must have declared a program of study in law enforcement (or criminal justice, administration of justice or police science) and plan on pursuing a career in police work, corrections or other criminal justice fields.
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$2,400
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 14
Deadline
The Sandra Pearson Student of Courage Award is available to high school seniors students residing in or attending school in Palo Alto, CA. Applicants 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
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff