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.
$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
High school seniors who are residents of Florida are eligible to apply for this scholarship sponsored by the Florida Realtors Education Foundation.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students with a concentration field of study in science, production or conservation of energy or natural resources. The applicant must have a 2.5 grade point average or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher to be eligible. Learn more and apply today!
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$8,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students from West Virginia who are attending Alderson Broaddus College or West Virginia University. The applicant must have a 2.5 grade point average or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$3,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for a full-time, U.S. undergraduate student who is a resident of West Virginia and who is a family member of an owner or employee of a company that has been a current member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Charleston for one full year or more. A GPA of 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher is required.
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$1,700
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of West Virginia and attend Nitro High School, West Virginia. Students must also have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and have an ACT score of 20 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,800
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of West Virginia. Students must be pursuing a degree in math, science, or engineering (science shall include chemistry, physics, biology and other scientific fields); have a GPA of 2.5 or higher; and an ACT score of 20 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. graduating high school seniors and undergraduates who are residents of or graduates of a high school in Fayette County, WV, and possess a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors from Logan High School who plan to pursue a registered nursing career. Students must possess a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and have an ACT score of 20 or higher. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$4,800
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Kanawha, Boone, Clay, Putnam, Lincoln, or Fayette counties in West Virginia and attend a college or university in West Virginia. Students must also have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
55,284
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available to North Carolina high school seniors who plan to attend one of the 16 constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
53
Awards
May 15
Deadline
Students who are under the age of 16 as of Dec. 31 of the current school year and are educated in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean are eligible to enter this contest. Students do not have to be members of an Optimist Club to enter; however, they must be sponsored by a local club.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 28
Deadline
Students who are under the age of 19 as of Dec. 31 are eligible to enter this essay contest. Students must enter through a local Optimist Club, which are located in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$142,000
Award Amount
42
Awards
Nov 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. Colorado high school seniors. A student who meets the minimum eligibility requirements may request an application from his/her high school guidance counselor.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who have been residents of Durham, Orange, or Wake counties in North Carolina for one year or more. Students must demonstrate the potential to succeed despite adversity and have an exceptional desire to improve themselves through further education or training.
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$78,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
International high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher who are planning to attend the University of Arizona are eligible for this award. Students will be considered upon admission to the university.
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$20,000
Award Amount
100
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This full-tuition scholarship award is offered to participants in the Take Stock in Children mentoring program. Students must be in the sixth through ninth grades at entrance to the program, be residents of Florida, and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
The American Express Scholarship Program is currently funded by the American Express Foundation to encourage and recognize academic excellence and help American Express employees fund their children’s undergraduate college education.
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$3,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available to South Carolina resident undergraduate students who are attending a South Carolina Independent college or university. The student must demonstrate financial need and satisfy the following requirements: an incoming freshmen must graduate in the top 75% of your high school graduating class or score at least 900 on the SAT Test (Math & Critical Reading Sections Only) or 19 Composite on the ACT Test or graduate from high school with a GPA of at least 2.00.
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$100,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 3
Deadline
South Carolina high school seniors who have an interest in creative writing (poetry), drama, composing music, dance, or the visual arts (two-dimensional design) are eligible to enter this scholarship competition. Students must have attended a South Carolina public high school for two or more years, and plan to attend a South Carolina college.
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$19,400
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland high school seniors who will complete a college prepatory program and are planning to attend college an eligible college or university in Maryland. Students must meet specific family income requirements and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland high school seniors who are planning to attend a Maryland college or university. Students must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.
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$11,250
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maryland undergraduate and/or graduate students who are planning to attend an eligible college or university in Maryland.
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$2,559
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This award is for Maryland residents who are pursuing in a degree or certificate program in either fire service technology or emergency medical technology at a postsecondary institution in Maryland. The student must be an active career or volunteer firefighter, ambulance or rescue squad member and agree to serve a Maryland community as a career or volunteer firefighter or ambulance and rescue squad member while taking college courses.
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$3,001
Award Amount
379
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
The Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant (WSSAG) program is for students who plan on working in specific career/occupational programs upon graduation. Eligible fields include: child care, human services, teaching, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and public service.
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$48,296
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who plan to attend Maryville College in Tennessee. Students must major in music.
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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