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.
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for graduating seniors at Poughkeepsie High School in Poughkeepsie, New York. Selection is based on financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Nov 1
Deadline
U.S. students who are enrolled in, or accepted into, a mortuary science program at an ABFSE-accredited school for the upcoming fall semester are eligible for this award. Students may enroll part time or full time.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to current seniors at Poughkeepsie High School who are planning to enroll full time in an undergraduate program after graduation.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors in Red Hook, New York. Applicants must plan to enroll in an accredited undergraduate program and pursue a degree in an environmental field such as recycling, land conservation, and ecological recovery.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for female high school seniors in Dutchess County, New York. Applicants must plan to major in education, drama, or psychology.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 21
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students who demonstrate commitment to the field of journalism and/or sensitivity to Asian American and Pacific Islander issues are eligible to apply for this award.
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$2,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors and undergraduate students who are residents of Dutchess County, New York. Applicants must be majoring in or planning to major in economics, accounting, or finance.
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$1,250
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for seniors graduating from Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, New York. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to community service.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for graduating high school seniors in the Hyde Park school district who are planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in a medical field.
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are majoring in one of the following fields: science fiction as literature, engineering, math, physics, or chemistry. Students must be enrolled full time.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Students must submit a short response and be selected as a semi-finalist to compete for the available scholarships.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school, undergraduate, and graduate students that write a short form response about digital responsibility.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 30
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Students must submit a short response about texting and driving and be selected as a semi-finalist to compete for the available scholarships. The purpose of this scholarship is to help you understand the risks of texting while driving.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 30
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Students must submit a short response and be selected as a semi-finalist to compete for the available scholarships.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for New Jersey high school seniors and undergraduate students who reside in the Monk's Home Improvements service area.
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$1,125
Award Amount
6
Awards
Jul 15
Deadline
U.S. dentistry or dental auxiliary students who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be current members of the Hispanic Dental Association.
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$17,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who have an SAT/ACT score of 1220/27 OR rank in the top 5% of their graduating class are eligible for this award. Students must be accepted for admission to McMurry University and its honors program.
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$48,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who have an ACT/SAT score of 20/950 or higher and a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend McMurry University in Texas.
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$1,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 30
Deadline
This award is available for Latino students residing in the Greater Danbury area of Connecticut (Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, and Ridgefield). Applicants must demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$40,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement and plan to attend McMurry University in Texas are considered for this award upon admission.
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$50,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and plan to transfer to McMurry University in Texas are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are members in good standing of COMTO for one year or more and are majoring in an engineering field are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who are members of COMTO or the children of COMTO members are eligible for this award. Students must have a desire to work in the field of transportation and a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who are studying engineering with a focus in the field of transportation are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in the fields of transportation, engineering, planning, or a related discipline are eligible to apply for this award. Students must have demonstrated leadership skills and an active commitment to community service.
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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