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
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors and current college students who reside in Rutland County, Vermont. Students must: seek education or training related to land use planning; have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; and demonstrate financial need.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are residents of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (Caledonia, Essex, or Orleans counties). Students must seek a degree in engineering and demonstrate financial need.
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$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors and current undergraduate students who reside in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (Caledonia, Essex, or Orleans counties) or Burlington, Vermont. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont high school seniors and undergraduate students who will graduate or have graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School, Green Mountain Union High School, or Springfield High School. Students must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and school/community involvement.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont students who seek education or training related to hospitality or tourism. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Vermont students who are active members, or are spouses or children of active members, of a Vermont-licensed ambulance or first-respond squad in Addison or Chittenden counties. Students must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and community involvement/service.
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$7,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for New Jersey undergraduate and graduate students who plan careers in New Jersey in environmental science, natural resource management, conservation, horticulture, park administration, or a related field. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must enroll full time.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 17
Deadline
This scholarship is for international and U.S. students who are rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Students must be studying mechanical engineering with an interest in the oil and gas industry; preference will be given to students enrolled at Villanova University.
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$2,500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is for graduating high school seniors who attend a high school in the Huntington Beach High School District. Must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate an interest in sciences and humanities.
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$4,000
Award Amount
2,500
Awards
Oct 6
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who plan to study or intern abroad in the same country for at least four weeks; the country cannot be Cuba or on the U.S. State Department's Travel Warning list. Students must be receiving or will receive a federal Pell Grant.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors and college students who have an interest in Magic: The Gathering trading card game.
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$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 26
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors from Rocky Mount Senior High School in North Carolina are eligible for this award.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 30
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors who attend Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado and have a grade point average of 2.0-3.25 are eligible for this award.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 30
Deadline
This award is for graduating high school seniors from Vista Peak Prep in Colorado who have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher. Students must have completed two or more years of Business Pathway coursework.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school and undergraduate students from one of the following southern Colorado counties: Pueblo, Fremont, Crowley, Otero, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Bent, Prowers, or Baca. A GPA of 3.0 or higher and full-time enrollment is required.
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$2,500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 29
Deadline
This award is for Washington state high school seniors and undergraduate students who are pursuing a journalism career. Students must attend a Washington college or university.
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$3,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This award is available for women members of the Reformed Church of America who are studying theology at the graduate level.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
The Georgia Chapter of International Furnishings and Design Association Educational Foundation offers this $1,500 award to an undergraduate student enrolled in an interior design or related program at an accredited school.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
The International Furnishings and Design Association Educational Foundation offers this $1,500 award to a part time undergraduate student enrolled in an interior design or related program at an accredited school.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors currently attending a high school in the San Francisco Bay Area who relocated to the area from more than 50 miles away during 9th-12th grades and had to change schools as a result of the relocation. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$2,250
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This award is avaiable for current high school seniors and undergraduate students from Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties in California. Applicants must plan to pursue a career in journalism.
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$12,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who plan to attend Stevenson University in Maryland and major in Fashion Design, Film & Moving Image, or Visual Communication Design are eligible for this award.
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$16,333
Award Amount
6
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This competition is open to African-American and Hispanic students who play violin, viola, cello or double bass. Applicants must be 26 years of age or younger at the time of the competition.
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$1,250
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 30
Deadline
This award is for Hispanic students from San Diego County, California who are majoring in a health-related or medical field.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an ACT/SAT score of 18/860 or higher are eligible for this award. Students will be considered upon admission to Southeast Missouri State University.
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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