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
1
Award
Jul 15
Deadline
The Underground Elephant Scholarship is available for U.S. citizens who are accepted to or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. To apply, applicants must submit an original essay about safe driving and how it impacts the community.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Aimee Student Success Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled postsecondary students who submit a resume that was exported from a bio created through the Aimee Bio mobile or web-App.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Aug 15
Deadline
The City of Boston Disability Scholarship Contest is available for current college students who have a family member with a disability. Applicants or one of their family members must be employed in the public sector.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 15
Deadline
The Fielding Law Group Scholarship Contest is available for graduating high school seniors and students who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in law.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 15
Deadline
The Herbert Law Office Scholarship Contest is available for graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college or university students who wish to pursue a career as a lawyer.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 15
Deadline
The Hermann Law group, PLLC Safety Scholarship Contest is available for U.S. citizens who wish to pursue a career in law. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 15
Deadline
The Law Office of A. Sam Jubran Scholarship Contest is available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduate students, and currently enrolled law school students who wish to pursue a career as a lawyer.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 15
Deadline
The Russell & Lazarus Safety Scholarship Contest is available for graduating high school seniors as well as current undergraduate and graduate students who submit an essay or video in response to the current year's topic.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 15
Deadline
The Sodowsky Law Firm Scholarship is available for U.S. citizens who are planning to pursue a career in law. Applicants must be currently graduating high school seniors or enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
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$5,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 31
Deadline
The Excelsior Scholarship Program is available for New York State residents who have an adjusted gross household income of $125,000 or less. Applicants must attend an undergraduate program at a SUNY or CUNY college and must enroll full time.
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$15,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
Williams College provides need-based scholarships and financial aid for all accepted undergraduate students who demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$155,325
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jan 1
Deadline
Amherst College provides generous need-based financial aid options for all admitted undergraduate students. Applicants must apply for and be accepted for enrollment and must demonstrate financial need by filing a FAFSA report for the current tax year.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 30
Deadline
The Entrepreneur Circle Scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who show a passion for entrepreneurship.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 29
Deadline
The Joyce M. Kennedy Ph.D. Scholarship Fund is available for graduating seniors and previous graduates of a Ventura County High School who are enrolled or planning to enroll at California State Univerity Channel Islands. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 29
Deadline
The Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship Fund is available for students who are currently enrolled at and planning to continue at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing professional program.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 26
Deadline
The Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors and undergraduarte students from the city of Ventura, California. Applicants must have unmet financial need, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must be planning to major in creative writing or engineering.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 21
Deadline
The Dr. Peter David Rogalsky Scholarship Fund is available for Ventura County residents who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in education.
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$700
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 29
Deadline
The David G. Casavan Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students who reside in Ventura County. Applicants must be majoring in engineering, math or science at a California community college or university.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 21
Deadline
The Science Matters Scholarship Fund is provided annually to residents of Ventura County who wish to pursue a career in science education. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and must be current high school seniors or undergraduate students.
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$1,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 29
Deadline
The Frances and Richard Bohn Music Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students who are residents of Ventura County, California. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must be majoring in (or planning to major in) music.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 26
Deadline
The Edna Wirt Woods and Ruth Nagel Scholarship Fund is available for female high school seniors and previous high school graduates from Ventura County, California. Applicants must be majoring in a health-related field and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$750
Award Amount
4
Awards
Aug 7
Deadline
The Pursuit Scholarship Competition is available for incoming college freshman, sophomores, and juniors who submit an essay or video in response to one of the topics listed at the competition site.
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$98,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 10
Deadline
The Georgetown University Undergraduate Aid Program is available for undergraduate students at Georgetown University. Applicants must be accepted for enrollment and must demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$48,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 5
Deadline
The Brown University Undergraduate Aid Program is available for undergraduate students at Brown University who have unmet financial need.
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$66,640
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1, 2025
Deadline
USC offers several scholarships to help undergraduate students pay for their education. These funds come from a variety of university, federal, state and private sources. However, unlike loans, they do not have to be repaid.
Generally, merit scholarships are reserved for students with special qualifications, such as academic, athletic or artistic talent. Awards are also available for students who are interested in particular fields of study, are actively involved in their cultural communities, or live in certain areas of the country.
Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid have separate application processes. You can learn more about the need-based financial aid process on our Financial Aid website. Students do not need to submit need-based financial aid applications to be considered for merit scholarships offered by the Office of Admission.
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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