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 14
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors graduating in Middletown or Monroe, Ohio. Students must be the first member of their families to pursue a college education.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. college students who submit an essay or video on any of the following principles of personal development and performance: the "law of attraction"; "attitude of gratitude"; "positive thinking"; focusing on things you can controls.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students and currently enrolled high school seniors who are planning to attend a college or university in the following academic semester. To apply, applicants must submit a short video responding to one of the listed topic prompts.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, must be active in sports, and must attend Hillsborough Community College.
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$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must plan to major in nursing and must demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is awarded each year to a local area student who plans on majoring in finance or accounting at an accredited college or university in the state of Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher and qualify for free or reduced school lunches.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida who have a grade point average of 3.8 or higher and a combined math and verbal SAT score of 1300 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida who have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and math/verbal SAT scores of 1150 or higher. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardships and family income that qualifies for free or reduced school lunches.
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$12,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. continuing, transfer, graduate, and law students at the University of Oregon. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$900
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jul 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who plan to pursue a career in senior care.
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$15,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are current or incoming undergraduate, graduate, or law students at the University of Oregon. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and file a FAFSA.
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$4,000
Award Amount
50
Awards
Jan 2
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors residing in South Carolina who plan to attend Clemson University. Applicants must be in the top 10% of their high school class, and have an SAT score of 1270 or higher, or an ACT score of 27 or higher.
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$10,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 2
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in South Carolina who are graduating as class valedictorian. Applicants must attend Clemson University.
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$18,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current high school seniors and undergraduate students who are applying to admission at Clemson University in South Carolina. To be considered for a Diversity Scholarship, applicants must add to the ethnic, cultural, geographic, or intellectual diversity of the campus.
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$1,200
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Hispanic high school seniors residing in Southern California who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to residents of Alachua and Bradford counties (FL) who plan to attend or are currently enrolled in Santa Fe College's welding program. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$1,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to current students at Santa Fe College who are residents of Alachua or Bradford counties (FL) and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Students must plan to become a teacher in Florida and must qualify as a first generation college student.
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$3,200
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to incoming and current students who will be or are enrolled in Santa Fe College's HVAC program and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students must reside in Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, Putman, Union, or Clay counties in Florida.
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$8,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who plan to pursue a health or nursing related program at Santa Fe College. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and must reside in Alachua or Bradford counties (FL).
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. and international high school seniors and undergraduate students who submit an essay on a topic related to life insurance. Students must be 17 years of age or older.
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$7,600
Award Amount
12
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to single mothers who reside in Maricopa County/the Phoenix-Metro Valley or the Tucson Metropolitan area (Arizona). Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher if residing in Maricopa County, or 2.5 or higher if residing in Tucson. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students at Stratford University in Baltimore who demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurialism and the restaurant industry.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 31
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. and international licensed radio amateurs (any class license) who are planning to enroll or are enrolled in four-year institutions.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 4
Deadline
This scholarship is open to international and U.S. licensed radio amateurs who reside in the ARRL New England Division area (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine).
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 4
Deadline
The L. B. Cebik, W4RNL, and Jean Cebik, N4TZP, Memorial Scholarship is open to U.S. and international students who are licensed radio amateurs studying at four-year institutions. Students must possess a technician class or higher license.
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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