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
4
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to residents of Davie, Forsyth, Surry, Wilkes, or Yadkin counties in North Carolina who are 21 years of age or older and plan to pursue an undergraduate degree. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be employed 20 or more hours monthly, and demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to international and U.S. students who are incoming or current undergraduate or graduate students. Students must intend to major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to international and U.S. undergraduate and graduate students. Students may be studying in any major.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who either have, or have a loved one, who as been affected by leukemia.
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$90,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This full tuition scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors and graduates who are 17 to 23 years of age and are/were in public or private foster care, adopted or placed into legal guardianship from foster care, or orphaned. Students must be living or attending school in Texas, and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are 17 years of age or older and plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and submit an essay.
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$600
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in any of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's distance education programs. Students must have completed at least one course in distance education, and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled and have completed at least one course in any University of Wisconsin-Platteville distance education program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Sep 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to high school seniors and current college/university students in the United States and Canada. Students must submit an essay on one of the current year's topics to apply.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at a college, university, or trade school in the United States or Canada. Students must submit an essay to apply.
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$450
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 5
Deadline
This scholarship contest is open to U.S. high school seniors and current college/university students. Students must submit an essay to be considered; public voting for finalists' essays will determine the winners.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students in Maryland who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship contest is open to high school seniors and currently enrolled students who plan to have a career in plumbing, HVAC, or sprinkler/irrigation systems (or a related field such as construction management). Students must submit a "how to" video on a home repair topic to apply.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students from Maryland who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American residents of Maryland who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional education program in the U.S.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Jewish residents of Maryland who come from a single-family home and have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Jewish residents of Maryland who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American residents of Washington D.C. who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher and unmet financial need. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Jewish residents of Maryland who are majoring in education with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate commitment to Jewish life, culture, and study.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 2
Deadline
This scholarship is available for graduating seniors at Baltimore City College high school who have participating in visual and/or performing art. Appliants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher and must enroll in an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available college juniors and seniors from Maryland who are pursuing a degree in music performance. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for residents of Baltimore City Public Housing who are graduating high school seniors planning to pursue an undergraduate degree at an accredited U.S. institution. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Jewish women in Maryland who have a record of public involvement and community service. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for residents of Maryland who are currently enrolled as a college sophomore, junior, or senior. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who live in a household (main residence) served by Tri-County EMC. Applications are judged based on academic ability, financial need, and community contributions.
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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