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
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who intend to study in the field of transportation or a related discipline (e.g., technology, engineering, planning, management) are eligible to apply for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an active commitment to community service.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are studying 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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$46,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who plan to attend McMurry University in Texas are considered for this award upon admission. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and an ACT/SAT score of 20/950 or less OR have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and an ACT/SAT score of 24/1100 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Jul 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate college students who plan to transfer to McMurry University in Texas and are accepted into the Honors Program are eligible for this award. Students must score a 27 or higher on the ACT or 1220 or higher on the SAT or be ranked in the top five percent of their class to be eligible for the Honors Program.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll in a fine arts program at McMurry University in Texas are eligible for this award.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current high school seniors at Greenwood High School in Greenwood, Arkansas. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for Dallas-area college students who are majoring in geological sciences.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for graduating seniors at Littlefield High School in Littlefield, Texas who are planning to enroll in an undergraduate program. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for graduating seniors at Charleston High School in Charleston, Arkansas. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$20,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for graduating seniors at Crowell High School in Crowell, Texas. Selection is based on contribution to the community, academic achievement, and financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for graduating seniors at Presidio High School in Presidio, TX. Selection for this award is based on school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential, and financial need as determined by the committee.
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$5,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors graduating from Big Pasture High School in Randlett, Oklahoma. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The Sylvan Landau Scholarship is available for Dallas-area high school seniors and undergraduate students who plan to major in business or marketing. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and unmet financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
Wisconsin graduating high school seniors or older who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and have been a 4-H member for one or more years are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend a University of Wisconsin system school and major in home economics or other degree related to home economics, such as childhood development, interior design, fashion design, or human ecology.
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$15,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
To be eligible for Wisconsin 4-H Foundation scholarships students must have been a Wisconsin 4-H member for at least three years; should have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and be enrolled or planning to enroll at a university, college or technical school during the 2022-2023 academic school year. Scholarship winners from previous years are not eligible to receive a second 4-H Foundation scholarship.
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$20,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
The Dr. Anson L. Clark Scholarship is available for current high school seniors residing and attending school in Dallas, TX who have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher. Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, and contribution to the community through community service and leadership.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for current undergraduate students who reside in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Johnson, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant or Wise Counties in Texas. Applicants must have a college grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for high school seniors in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Johnson, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant or Wise Counties of TX. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate college students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and plan to transfer to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln are eligible for this award.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors. Students must submit an essay and photos detailing their volunteer efforts with animals. Click here to learn more about how to apply.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for paraplegic or quadriplegic students who are residents of Texas and pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for female students at Collin College, in Collin County, Texas or Tarrant County College who are majoring in hospitality and food service management, hotel restaurant management or pastry arts. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled full time at a four-year college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and have submitted a FAFSA.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Sep 27
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who will be sophomores or juniors in the upcoming academic year and are studying engineering or environmental sciences. Students must attend a college or university located in Pennsylvania or have served as an intern with a Pennsylvania office of an ACEC/PA member firm.
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$15,000
Award Amount
180
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors who have an unweighted grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be of Hispanic ancestry. Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom, community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Finance, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and etc will be considered.
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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