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.
$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Michigan or attending a school in Michigan. Students must have a demonstrated or expressed interest in the plastics industry and be majoring in or taking courses that are beneficial to a career in the plastics/polymer industry.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. and international undergraduate students who have demonstrated or expressed an interest in the plastics industry. Students must be majoring or taking courses in an area that would be beneficial to a career in the plastics industry.
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$1,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship competition is open to U.S. high school seniors and currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students who present a costume design of any genre. Students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
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$35,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. students residing in District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia who plan to attend a public college or university. Applicants must have immigrated to the U.S. since birth, or have two parents who were both immigrants.
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$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students planning to transfer to Lake Superior State University in Michigan are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.8 or higher and will be considered upon admission.
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$12,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students planning to transfer to Lake Superior State University in Michigan are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average between 3.5-3.79 and will be considered upon admission.
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students planning to transfer to Lake Superior State University in Michigan are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.3-3.49 and will be considered upon admission.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and plan to transfer to Lake Superior State University in Michigan are eligible for this award.
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$41,568
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
Michigan high school seniors or older students who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to attend Lake Superior State University are eligible for this award. Applicants must demonstrate interest in public service, as reflected through leadership roles and volunteer activities in their school and community.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for female residents of Dutchess County, NY who are returning to college after an absence of at least five years. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited institution of higher education located in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for a graduating senior from Lakeland High School who plans to major in communications at any accredited college or university in the United States.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are graduating from a high school in Dutchess County, New York. Applicants must plan to pursue a college degree in music, music education, art, or art education.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Residents of Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake, or Person counties in North Carolina who are incoming or current undergraduate nursing students are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to high school seniors graduating from John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction, New York.
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$2,250
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors in the Mid-Hudson region who are planning to attend the Culinary Institute of America.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are graduating from Poughkeepsie High School in Poughkeepsie, New York. Applicants must pursue a course of study and plan to have a career in the arts, architecture or engineering, interior or fashion design, family or consumer science or landscape architecture.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 1
Deadline
North Carolina high school seniors or older students who are enrolled in a state- or federally recognized tribe are eligible for this award. Students must pursue a two- or four-year degree.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to graduating seniors attending Poughkeepsie High School. Applicants must plan to pursue an undergraduate major in education.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for residents of Mid-Hudson valley who are currently enrolled in, or planning to enroll in a nursing degree program in the state of New York.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
High school seniors graduating from Southern High School in Durham, North Carolina who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need and plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university.
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$2,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 29
Deadline
New Mexico residents who are high school seniors or older, ages 17 to 21 who have been in the New Mexico foster care system for a minimum of one year at the time of their 18th birthday. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
The scholarship is available to members of the Roman Catholic Church who are graduating seniors of a high school in Dutchess County.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors in Dutchess and Orange counties in New York state. Applicants must demonstrate academic potential and religious involvement.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 4
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors residing in the Albuquerque Metro Area (Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance & Sandoval counties) are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate hope, faith and courage; thoughtfulness and service to others; and living life, pursuing dreams and enabling one’s self.
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$1,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 4
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors attending an Albuquerque, New Mexico high school are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, an ACT score of 23 or higher, and demonstrate strong community service experience. Priority will be given to students who plan a career in early childhoood development/teaching.
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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