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.
$750
Award Amount
13,730
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Rhode Island resident undergraduate students at Community College of Rhode Island whose family resources are not sufficient to meet the costs of higher education.
Read More
View Scholarship
$12,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
International undergraduate and graduate students who are attending Southern Oregon University are eligible for this award. Undergraduate students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher, and graduate students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must be willing to attend a early morning meeting with his or her international advisor.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,288
Award Amount
997
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This award is available for Delaware undergraduate students who are planning to attend eligible colleges/universities in Delaware or Pennsylvania. Graduate students are eligible under certain circumstances. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need; the eligible level of financial need is updated annually.
Read More
View Scholarship
$52,352
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 26
Deadline
This award is available to Delaware high school seniors who are planning to enroll full time at the University of Delaware. The student must have a combined SAT score of 1800 or higher and rank in the top 25 percent of his/her high school class.
Read More
View Scholarship
$142,824
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 26
Deadline
This award is available for current high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and residents of Delaware. Applicant must plan to enroll full time at the University of Delaware or Delaware State University and plan to major in the humanities or social sciences.
Read More
View Scholarship
$80,224
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available to Delaware high school seniors who are planning to enroll full time at Delaware State University. The student must have a combined SAT score of 1000 or higher and rank in the top half of his/her high school class.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors or returning/continuing college students whose parent, grandparent, or legal guardian is employed by any company located at the Port of Wilmington that has contributed a minimum of $500 towards the Port of Wilmington Maritime Society Scholarship Funds.
Read More
View Scholarship
$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available to residents of Delaware who are high school seniors or full-time college freshmen or sophomores. Applicants must attend a Delaware college and major in environmental engineering or environmental science.
Read More
View Scholarship
$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 4
Deadline
This award is available to U.S high school seniors or former graduates who are residents of Delaware and seeking to further their education. Students must have resided in a manufactured home for at least one year prior to the application.
Read More
View Scholarship
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
International students who are currently enrolled full time at Texas A&M University are eligible for this award. An eligible applicant must have demonstrated high academic standards, and have a curiosity and openness to people and traditions of other countries. In addition, the student must be actively involved in organizations other than international ones.
Read More
View Scholarship
$66,800
Award Amount
40
Awards
May 1
Deadline
High school seniors or older students who are citizens of Mexico and plan to enroll full time at Texas A&M University are eligible for this award. The award will cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
Awards by the C.A.R. Scholarship Foundation are up to $4,000 for students enrolled in four-year University and $2,000 for students enrolled in two-year Colleges.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,945
Award Amount
13,022
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to New Jersey undergraduate students who demonstrate educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds and are attending an eligible postsecondary institution in New Jersey.
Read More
View Scholarship
$46,400
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for international students planning to enroll as full-time freshmen at the University of Richmond in Virginia. A student must apply for admission to the University of Richmond before he/she can be considered for a scholarship.
Read More
View Scholarship
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
International students who have completed and received an International Baccalaureate diploma and will be attending Northern Arizona University for the first time are eligible for this award.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,000
Award Amount
15,000
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maine resident undergraduate students who are enrolled at an eligible college or university. The student must demonstrate financial need and have an EFC of $3,000 or less.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,461
Award Amount
30
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maine undergraduate students who are attending a Maine public college/university. The student must have been in Maine's foster care program, or have been adopted from Maine's foster care system under subsidy from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Read More
View Scholarship
$4,466
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to Maine undergraduate students who are attending a Maine public college/university and are children or spouses of firefighters, law enforcement officers, or emergency medical services persons killed in the line of duty. Children must have been under the age of 21 at the time of the death.
Read More
View Scholarship
$44,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
High school seniors or older international students who are planning to enroll full time as freshmen at St. Thomas University in Florida are eligible to apply for this award. All international students admitted to St. Thomas University are considered for a scholarship.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are associates and/or children of an associate working in one of the three Bud's Shop 'N Save supermarkets in Pittsfield, Newport or Dexter, Maine.
Read More
View Scholarship
$3,100
Award Amount
83
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of one of the following Maine cities: Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, or Southport. Students must have attended Boothbay Region High School in Boothbay, Maine.
Read More
View Scholarship
$500
Award Amount
7
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are Maine residents.
Read More
View Scholarship
$20,238
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
High school seniors and transfer students who are not residents of Idaho and are planning to enroll at Lewis-Clark State College for the first time are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to enroll full time.
Read More
View Scholarship
$24,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
This award is for International students who plan to attend North Park University in Illinois as a full time student. The student must be a first year student and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Read More
View Scholarship
$1,722
Award Amount
15
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for college freshmen and sophomores who are currently attending Eastern Maine Community College. Students must be graduates of Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, Maine, and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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