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.
$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Maine undergraduate and graduate students who are members of the Appraisal Institute or have a parent/legal guardian who is a member.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 2
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of California and are planning to or currently attending an eligible college or university in the state of California. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must meet certain family income and asset requirements as set by the state of California.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 2
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of California and are planning to or currently attending an eligible college or university in the state of California. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and must meet certain family income and asset requirements as set by the state of California.
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$750
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This award is for students who are residents of Gouldsboro Maine. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at the University of Maine and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors in Maine who plan to attend the University of Maine at Orono. Students must, at a minimum, be in the top 40 percent of their class and have an SAT score of 1100 or higher; however, most recipients for this scholarship are in the top 10 percent of their class.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 15
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students at the University of Maine who are residents of Sedgwick or Brooklin, Maine. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
117
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available to help pay for the textbooks of U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend the University of Maine at Orono. Students must be graduates of a Mid Coast Maine high school, and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
19
Awards
May 15
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. students who are residents of Moscow, Maine. Students may apply at any time during their senior year of high school, and must apply no later than one year after high school graduation.
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$33,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
International and U.S. students who are high school seniors or older are eligible for this award. Students must be studying full time in the field of optics, photonics, imaging or optoelectronics or other related program.
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$28,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 1
Deadline
This award is available for international graduating high school seniors or transfer students planning to attend Northeastern University.
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$333
Award Amount
3
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available for current high school and college students. To apply, each student must submit a short video of approximately 2-3 minutes on the topic of nuclear disarmament.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award provides a waiver of non-resident tuition for students from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico or Oklahoma enrolled in certain public institutions in Texas.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for residents of Mitchell County, North Carolina who are 4-H members or staff members and plan to attend an institution in North Carolina as a freshman. If no freshman is eligible, then an upperclassman may be awarded the scholarship.
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$15,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
International students who are enrolling as incoming freshmen at Michigan Technological University are eligible for this award. Students must enroll full time.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are 4-H members and residents of North Carolina's North Central District. Preference is given to applicants from Davidson County.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students at North Carolina State University who are studying poultry science and have participated in 4-H.
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$100,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Feb 3
Deadline
International freshmen enrolling full time at Concordia College in Minnesota are eligible for this award. Each student who is admitted to Concordia College will be considered for an award.
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$24,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
This award is available to international undergraduate and graduate students who are planning to attend St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. The student must have an F-1 or J-1 visa status, maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average as an undergraduate student or a 3.0 cumulative grade point average as a graduate student, and complete two cultural sharing activities every semester.
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$15,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
International students who are high school seniors planning to enroll full time at St. Olaf College in Minnesota are eligible for this award. There is not a separate application; each student is considered upon admission.
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$1,370
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors attending Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine. Preference will be given to residents of Hollis and Buxton and/or students pursuing an education in agricultural, business or vocational fields.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
Female high school seniors who attend Scarborough High School in Scarborough, Maine, are eligible for this scholarsip. Students must have a grade point average of at least 84 on a 100-point scale, and be involved in athletics and community service.
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$11,403
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 7
Deadline
This award is available to Massachusetts high school sophomores or juniors who demonstrate difficult personal circumstances and high financial need. Students must enroll full time at a Massachusetts college or university and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$3,924
Award Amount
410
Awards
Feb 7
Deadline
This award is available to Massachusetts undergraduate students who are current or former foster children who were placed in the custody of the state through a Care and Protection Petition and were never adopted or were not returned home. Students must be 24 years of age or younger and plan to enroll full time at a Massachusetts college or university.
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$4,321
Award Amount
448
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Massachusetts undergraduate students who are 24 years of age or younger and plan to enroll or are currently enrolled at a Massachusetts public college or university in a degree, certificate, or non-credit program. Students must have been in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and have been adopted by a Massachusetts resident or employee.
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$1,857
Award Amount
103,000
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available to Minnesota undergraduate students who are enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in Minnesota. Students must demonstrate financial need as determined by completing the FAFSA. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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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