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
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students attending Florida State College at Jacksonville who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Applicants must be enrolled full time in a degree program, or a non-credit vocational program with a minimum of 900 clock hours. Preference will be given to blood relatives of Gideon T. Burdett Jr. (written proof required) or employees, or descendants of employees of, the Seaboard Coastline Railroad Company or Atlantic Railroad.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for north Florida students who are majoring in hospitality or a related field. Applicants must reside in Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, or St. John’s county and have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
African American men between 17 and 25 years of age and planning to enroll at FSCJ for the first time are eligible for this award. Students must have and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and plan to attend classes on a full-time basis.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 27
Deadline
This award is for college sophomores, juniors and/or seniors who are currently enrolled in an aviation program and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to residents of Kansas, Missouri or Illinois.
Read More
View Scholarship
$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
High school seniors who are residents of Jacksonville, Florida and members in good standing of the Youth Leadership Jacksonville Program are eligible for this award. Students will be evaluated based on the information provided within the application and an interview.
Read More
View Scholarship
$7,500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
The Raymond A. Vinson Scholarship is available for high school seniors who are members of Community First Credit Union in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, unmet financial need, and an ACT score of 24 or higher or an SAT score of 1110 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,066
Award Amount
30
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is available for legally blind students who are pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available to single parents attending Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must be residents of Duval or Nassau counties in Florida.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 30
Deadline
This award is available for full-time undergraduate students attending Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate unmet financial need. Selection will be based on character, initiative, and ability.
Read More
View Scholarship
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for part time and full time female students at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must be 28 or older at the time of application, and must be returning to college after at least a five year absence from education.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students attending the Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and attend at least one Rotary Club meeting. Preference will be given to graduates of Lee, Paxon, Ed White, Forrest, Baldwin, or Stanton Preparatory High Schools, as well as students who are majoring in nursing.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international students who are enrolled at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have completed at least 9 credit hours of college-level coursework, must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and must continue to enroll in at least six credit hours per semester.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,400
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are attending Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must be majoring in pre-law, business, or transportation.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for recently graduating high school seniors in Nassau County who are planning to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 and enroll full time. Preference will be given to students who have participated in the Northeast Florida Boys and Girls Club.
Read More
View Scholarship
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for culinary arts students attending Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.25 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,900
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is available for female students attending Florida State College at Jacksonville. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate unmet financial need, and enroll at least part time.
Read More
View Scholarship
$80,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 18
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher or rank in the top five percent of their class are eligible to apply for this award. Students must demonstrate a sincere interest in pursuing a career in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 21
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors or older students who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate course of study. Students must be pursuing a career in English- or Spanish-language print, photo, broadcast or online journalism, be Hispanic, and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,400
Award Amount
400
Awards
Oct 16
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students 15 to 18 years old, or those in grades 10 through 12, who have a talent for the arts.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
Jan 16
Deadline
Undergraduate and graduate students may enter this video contest. The student must make a short video of five minutes or less interpreting the theme "One Person Can Make a Difference".
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors or undergraduate students who are residents of West Virginia and are a graduating senior or a graduate of Sherman High School or Marsh Fork High School in West Virginia. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$950
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. college sophomores who are residents of Boone County, West Virginia and who are majoring in nursing. The applicant must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher to be eligible. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Read More
View Scholarship
$87,800
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 11
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and international high school students who are planning to attend Columbia College of Missouri. Students must have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher and an ACT score of 26 or higher (or equivalent SAT score); minimum test scores are not required for transfer students.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and international students who are planning to attend Columbia College of Missouri as a new freshman or transfer student. The student must be a Disciples of Christ member and be nominated by his/her minister.
Read More
View Scholarship
$154,500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students who are currently enrolled at or planning to attend Columbia College of Missouri. The student must be a recipient of an ROTC scholarship.
Read More
View Scholarship
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
-
$1,500 – I Have a Dream
-
$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
-
$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
-
$2,500 – Superpower
-
$3,000 – All About Education
-
$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
-
$1,500 – Do-Over
-
$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
-
$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
-
$1,500 – Shout It Out
-
$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
-
$5,000 – Education Matters
-
$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff