Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2025

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✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

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.

List of Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2025

Check out our list of 963,882 Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2025 worth $3B.

A.A.E. Scholarship

$2,450 Award Amount

57 Awards

Feb 28 Deadline

Students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree are eligible for this award. The applicant must be an accredited airport executive (A.A.E.) member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and a member of his/her regional chapter, OR must be the spouse or the child of an accredited airport executive member of AAAE.

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GE Women's Network Scholarship

$70,000 Award Amount

14 Awards

Feb 15 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. female undergraduate students who are majoring in certain fields of engineering or computer science, are members of the SWE, and attend a preferred school. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll full time.

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David Arver Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for international and U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled in an avionics or aircraft repair program at an accredited vocational/technical school located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

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Lee Tarbox Memorial Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are pursuing an education in aircraft maintenance or avionics (aircraft electronics systems).

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Dutch and Ginger Arver Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

The Dutch and Ginger Arver Scholarship is available to high school seniors and/or college students who plan to attend or are attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft repair program.

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American Board of Funeral Service Education National Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Sep 1 Deadline

College students who have completed one or more terms of study in funeral service or mortuary science education are eligible for this award. Students must be U.S. citizens.

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ACS Scholars Program

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

U.S. high school senior and undergraduate minority students who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll full time are eligible for this award. Students must be planning to pursue a career in the chemical sciences and majoring in an appropriate chemical science field.

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Berntsen International Scholarship in Surveying

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 22 Deadline

This award is for U.S. and international undergraduate students who are majoring in surveying or surveying technology. Students planning to graduate prior to December 2018 are not eligible. Please note: The award for two-year students is offered only in even-numbered years.

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AAGS Joseph F. Dracup Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 22 Deadline

This award is for U.S. and international undergraduate students who are enrolled in a four-year degree program in surveying (or in closely related degree programs, such as geomatics or surveying engineering). Students who will graduate prior to December 2018 are not eligible.

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NSPS Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 22 Deadline

This award is for international and U.S. undergraduate students enrolled full time in a four-year surveying degree program. Students planning to graduate prior to December 2017 are not eligible.

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Nettie Dracup Memorial Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 22 Deadline

This scholarship is for U.S. students enrolled in a four-year geodetic surveying degree program at an ABET-accredited institution. Students must be enrolled full time.

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Schonstedt Scholarship in Surveying

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 17 Deadline

This award is for international and U.S. undergraduate students enrolled full time in a four-year surveying program. Preference will be given to students with junior or senior standing.

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IHS Health Professions Pre-Graduate Scholarship

$127,678 Award Amount

40 Awards

Mar 28 Deadline

This scholarship is available for American Indian and Alaskan Native undergraduate students who are studying pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, or pre-podiatry. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

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IHS Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship

$63,839 Award Amount

40 Awards

Mar 26 Deadline

This scholarship is available for American Indian and Alaskan Native undergraduate students. Students must enroll in a program of study for the following priority career programs: pre-clinical psychology (junior and senior years only); pre-nursing; pre-pharmacy; and pre-social work (junior and senior years only).

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AIA/F Diversity Advancement Scholarship

$20,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 17 Deadline

High school seniors, current college freshmen, and community/technical college graduates who will enroll in an NAAB-accredited architecture program are eligible for this award. Students must be minorities and/or financially disadvantaged.

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Vertical Flight Foundation Engineering Scholarship

$10,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Feb 2 Deadline

International and U.S. undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full time in an accredited school of engineering are eligible for this award. Students must have a demonstrated interest in the vertical flight industry.

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ADAF Scholarship Program

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 10 Deadline

College sophomores, juniors, seniors and/or graduate stduents who are currently enrolled in a dietetics program and are members of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) are eligible to apply. Applications are available online to members only.

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Charles W. Coughlan Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for international and U.S. students who are new members of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity. The award will be given to the member with the highest academic average for the year.

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Robert B. Stewart Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for international and U.S. college students who are members of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and will be returning for one year or more of undergraduate degree work.

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ASTA Alaska Airlines Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This award is for U.S. and Canadian undergraduate students who are enrolled in a travel and tourism or hospitality program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in rehabilitation and/or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired are eligible to apply for this award. Students must be legally blind (i.e., have best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in the better eye).

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Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Feb 15 Deadline

Undergraduate or graduate students who are legally blind are eligible for this award. Students must be majoring in engineering, computer science, physical sciences, or life sciences; and must enroll full time.

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The R.L. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson, and Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship

$7,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

U.S. female undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree in music are eligible for this award. Students must be legally blind (i.e., have best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in the better eye).

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William J. & Marijane E. Adams, Jr. Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 18 Deadline

Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full time in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering program in California, Hawaii, or Nevada are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and a special interest in product development and design.

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ASME Foundation Scholarship

$33,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Feb 18 Deadline

U.S. students who are college sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled full time in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, or related baccalaureate program are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

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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

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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

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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

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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!

Trendy teens with skateboards posing by a brick wall.

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!