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.
$2,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 11
Deadline
This award is available to Virginia students who are currently enrolled at a Virginia community college as a freshmen student. The student must major in any program of study that includes coursework related to an understanding of or interest in technological fields supporting aerospace and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
Undergraduate students at North Carolina A&T State University who are majoring in transportation, safety, urban planning, environmental disciplines, public services, or a specific transportation-related discipline are eligible for this award. Students must have demonstrated leadership skills and an active commitment to community service.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible to apply for this award. Students must be members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) in good standing for one year or more to be eligible for an award.
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$5,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are current COMTO members are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$4,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. students who are high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be the children of COMTO members.
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$5,500
Award Amount
775
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are currently attending or planning to attend a public, state-supported postsecondary institution in Virginia. The student must be a child or spouse of a military service member who was killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina high school seniors who are 4-H members. Students must plan to attend an institution of higher education in North Carolina in the fall of the year that they apply for the scholarship.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina 4-H members who are majoring in horticultural science at North Carolina State University. Preference is given to freshman, but may be awarded to an upperclassman.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina undergraduate students who are 4-H members and attend North Carolina State University. Students must major in agriculture or forestry.
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$15,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Feb 12
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school students who plan to graduate from a Florida high school that they have attended for at least one semester. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and a minimum test score on the SAT (600 math, 500 verbal) or the ACT (26 math, 21 English). Students must also enroll in an engineering program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina high school seniors who are 4-H members and majoring in some phase of communications. Students must plan to attend an institution of higher education in North Carolina in the fall of the year that they apply for the scholarship.
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$13,000
Award Amount
150
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend the University of North Florida. Students must have a grade point average of 3.8 or higher and an SAT score of 1220 or higher or an ACT score of 27 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship, provided in honor of Virginia E. Christakos, is available to undergraduate students at Florida State College of Jacksonville who are enrolled in a visual or performing arts program.
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$2,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors with plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2016 are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students must read an essay about automatic fire sprinklers and take an online test to apply.
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$12,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 19
Deadline
To be eligible, high school seniors must be residents of one of the following counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, or St. Johns counties in FL OR Camden County, Georgia. Students must attend high school in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau or St. John's counties in Florida and plan to enroll full time at the University of Georgia.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Texas resident undergraduate students who are the surviving spouse and/or dependent children of certain Texas employees killed in the line of duty. Applicants must enroll at a public Texas college or university.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are enrolled in the nursing program at Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ). Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and in six or more credit hours per semester.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate and graduate students in a master's degree program who intend to study field botany during the summer semester. Preference is given to undergraduates.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 5
Deadline
This award is available for students above the high school level wishing to pursue summer study in environmental issues. Applicants who are not New Jersey residents must study in New Jersey. Residents of New Jersey may apply to study anywhere in the United States.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are enrolled in the Fire Science program at Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ). Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and enroll in at least six credit hours per semester.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for high school seniors or college freshman under the age of 21 who have recently graduated from a high school in Duval County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.25 to 2.5 and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$8,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
High school seniors or older students who are the dependents of current/retired NASA employees are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to pursue a course of study in a science or engineering field that will lead to a recognized undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university in the United States.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students attending Florida State College at Jacksonville who are majoring in mathematics, sciences, or engineering. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Betty P. Cook Endowed Scholarship is available for residents of Nassau County, Florida who are enrolled at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need. This award is intended for students who are returning to school after an absence from education.
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$1,460
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for residents of Nassau County, Florida who are attending Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and preference will be given to graduates of Fernandina Beach High School.
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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