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.
$16,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
The Fortnite Scholarship and eSports Recruiting Program is available for undergraduate students at Ashland University who play games such as Fortnite, PUBG, League of Legends, or Starcraft 2 at a competitive level. Click here to learn more about how you can apply today!
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jul 31
Deadline
The American Graphics Institute Training Scholarship is available for students who are enrolled in a digital design certificate course of study at the American Graphics Institute. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Aug 31
Deadline
The iVein® Health & Wellness Scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who submit an essay on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle in college. Click here to learn about how you can apply today!
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 2
Deadline
The Fred E. Kiefer and Florence E. Kiefer Scholarship is available for undergraduate students in the greater St. Louis metropolitan region. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and must be active in a church community.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
The Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship is available for undergraduate students in Missouri who are attending a public college or university. Applicants must demonstrate unmet financial need as well as a record of community service leadership.
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$2,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 30
Deadline
The AIA St. Louis Scholarship is available for third, fourth, and fifth year students studying at an NAAB accredited school of Architecture. Applicants must reside in the greater St. Louis area.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 17
Deadline
The AIGA St. Louis Design Scholarship is available for students at a college or university in St. Louis who are majoring in design. Click here to learn more about how to apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
The Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Kappa Sigma Alumni Chapter Scholarship is available for black men who are graduating from a high school in the St. Louis city area. Applicants must demonstrate academic merit and unmet financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 9
Deadline
The American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarship is available for Afrian American students in Southeastern Missouri and Southern Illinois who are majoring in a field related to the energy industry. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$24,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
The Zimmer Family Scholarship is provided annually for graduating high school seniors in Monroe County, IL. Applicants must demonstrate academic success, leadership, and strong moral character. Click here to learn about how to apply today!
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$2,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 19
Deadline
The Janice Mosby Scholarship Fund is available for students over the age of 23 in the St. Louis metropolitan area who are enrolling in college for the first time or returning after an extended absence from school. Applicants must demonstrate unmet financial need and must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
The Women's Another Chance Scholarship is available for mothers who reside in and attend school in the St. Louis area. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and critical unmet financial need. Click here to learn more about eligibility and how you can apply today!
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
The Friends of Saint Louis Municipal School of Nursing Scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are majoring in nursing at one of the eligible nursing schools in St. Louis. Click here to learn more about how to apply today!
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
The Larry Carp Memorial Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors in St. Louis who are immigrants or the children of immigrants. Applicants must plan to major in a STEM field and must show evidence of community involvement and service.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
The Stewart G. and I. Renee Albert Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors in St. Louis who are planning to major in a STEM field. Applicants must demonstrate high acdemic achievement as well as unmet financial need. Click here to learn about how to apply today!
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Ruth Greenberg Memorial Fund for Rabbinical Training is available for Jewish students in St. Louis who are pursuing a career in rabinnical studies.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Sam A. Kessler Memorial Scholarship is available for students who have lived in St. Louis for at least ten years and are active in the local Jewish community. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Richard L. Levis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for Jewish students in the St. Louis area who demonstrate a combination of academic achievement and unmet financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Blanche and Irving Miller Scholarship is available for Jewish students in St. Louis who are majoring in a professional field such as law or medicine. Click here to learn more about how you can apply today!
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Benjamin D. Pessin Education Assistance Fund is available for Jewish students in St. Louis who are majoring in business administration. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 30
Deadline
The Hallifax Scholarship for Mothers is available for moms who are attending Johnson County Community College in Johnson County, Kansas. Applicants must have a 2.25 GPA or higher and a household income of $30,000 per year or less. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
The Morning Grange #227 Scholarship Fund is available for students who have attended high school in Olathe, Gardner, or Spring Hill, Kansas, and students who are members or relatives of members in Morning Grange #227.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship Fund is available for undergraduate women in the U.S. who wish to pursue educational or artistic lessons, activities, or projects beyond the typical academic curriculum.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
The Kansas Foster and Adoptive Children Scholarship Fund is available for foster children and adoptees in Kansas who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program. Click here to learn more about eligibility and how to apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Oct 31
Deadline
The Harley and Geneva Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for undergraduate Kansas City area students who are planning to study in a Scandinavian Country, as well as undergraduate students from Scandinavian Countries who are planning to study in the Greater Kansas City metro area.
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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