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.
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
U.S. graduating high school seniors from the 26 northernmost counties in the Texas panhandle who demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. Students must exhibit community service and leadership. Click here to learn more about how to apply.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors who reside in the 26 northernmost counties of the Texas Panhandle and are currently employed are eligible for this award. Preference will be given to Native Americans.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who have been affected by rheumatoid disease.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current high school seniors who are planning to major in English at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, an ACT score of 21 or higher (or equivalent SAT), and must submit an essay about his/her relationship with writing.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Nov 17
Deadline
Current undergraduate women in Nevada are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be majoring in public relations, communication, media studies, marketing or journalism and must be planning to pursue a career in sports or sports broadcasting.
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$350
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 16
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate women in South Carolina who have demonstrated a positive impact in their communities.
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$3,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who are residents of Idaho, graduated from Idaho high schools, and attend selected Idaho institutions. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to persons who were incarcerated for one or more years in a state or federal correctional institution in the United States and are enrolled in a certificate or degree-granting program. Students must demonstrate leadership in their community through volunteer work.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current graduating seniors and recent graduates of Ashland Community High School in Ashland, Maine. Applicants must plan to major in nursing.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for graduates of Ashland Community High School in Ashland, Maine. Applicants must be planning to major in business.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in selected engineering fields. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$1,250
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female U.S. incoming and current college freshmen who are majoring in nuclear engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female U.S. incoming and current college freshmen who are Native Americans majoring in engineering or computer science with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must attend the University of New Mexico or New Mexico State University and reside in New Mexico.
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$3,250
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to female students who are incoming or current college freshmen and are majoring in engineering (architectural and environmental preferred). Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. female incoming and current college freshmen who are majoring in engineering or computer science and have grade point averages of 3.5 or higher. Students must reside in the following zip code areas: District of Columbia, 200 or 202-205; Maryland, 206-212, 214, 216-217; Virginia, 201, 220-223.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Vermont undergraduate students who are seeking a degree in a field related to environmental studies. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must demonstrate financial need and community involvement and/or service.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 12
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who are dependents of a member of the Vermont Sheriffs' Association. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, and school/community involvement.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Vermont students with a high school diploma who reside in Brighton, Charleston, Coventry, Derby, Holland, Jay, Lowell, Morgan, Newport City, Newport Town, Troy, North Troy, or Westfield, and/or graduate/have graduated from North Country Union High School. Students must demonstrate participation in extracurricular activities/community involvement or service, financial need, and education/work ethic.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who reside in Franklin County, Vermont, and graduated from a Franklin County high school. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must demonstrate financial need.
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$8,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Vermont undergraduate students who demonstrate a documented disability (based on a 504 Plan or IEP from their school or a statement from Vocational Rehabilitation). Students must demonstrate financial need and education/work ethic.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate students who reside in Essex or Orleans counties in Vermont and intend to reside and work in Vermont upon graduation. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who reside in the Northeast Kingdom area of Vermont and are seeking education and training in a health care field, including holistic health. Students must demonstrate financial need, community involvement/service, and education/work ethic.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated enthusiasm for entrepreneurial activities, and special consideration will be given to those students who have been active in the lawn care industry.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Vermont high school seniors who plan to enroll in an undergraduate degree program on a full-time basis at a Vermont college/university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and must demonstrate financial need and school/community involvement.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to Vermont undergraduate and graduate students who attend a Vermont postsecondary institution to seek a degree in nursing. Applicants must be active members or the children of active members of a union; applicants must also demonstrate financial need and community involvement/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
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff