Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2025

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scholarships for college freshmen

✔️ 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

Porter Fleming Literary Competition

$12,000 Award Amount

12 Awards

Feb 10 Deadline

This is a writing contest for residents of Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. To enter, students may submit their work in one of four categories: fiction, poetry, nonfiction or drama. Applicants should review the website for the requirements to enter their specific writing category.

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Zeta Psi Educational Foundation Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 18 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. men who are members of Zeta Psi fraternity and are currently enrolled in a college or university program. Selection is based on academic merit, financial need and the applicant's essay response.

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Roothbert Fund Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 1 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate or graduate students who have a current or permanent address that is located in one of the following states or plan to move to one of these states prior to March 1 of the year in which the application is made: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, or North Carolina.

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Montana University System (MUS) Honor Scholarship

$16,000 Award Amount

214 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for Montana resident high school seniors who are planning to enroll at a Montana University System campus. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and complete the Rigorous Core Curriculum requirements.

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Balestreri/Cutino Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Apr 30 Deadline

This award is available to help culinary students pay for the costs of attending an accredited, post-secondary school approved by the AAC.

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John Kacala Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

5 Awards

Apr 30 Deadline

The John Kacala Scholarship is for U.S. college students who are majoring in culinary arts and have a career goal of becoming a chef or pastry chef. The applicant must be enrolled full time in an accredited, postsecondary school of culinary arts, or other culinary training program acceptable to the AAC.

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Ray and Gertrude Marshall Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

6 Awards

Apr 30 Deadline

This award is available for full-time undergraduate students who are majoring in the culinary arts at an accredited college in the United States. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and enroll on a full time basis.

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Union Plus Scholarship Program

$12,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

This award is for a U.S. undergraduate and graduate student who is a a member, spouse of a member, or dependent child of a member in a union that is participating in any Union Plus program. The applicant must be accepted into a college, university, or trade program at time of application.

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Robert G. Porter Scholars Program

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 31 Deadline

This award is available for graduating high school seniors who have a parent or legal guardian that has been an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) member for at least one year.

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John L. Dales Scholarship

$4,000 Award Amount

75 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This award is available for active members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the children of active SAG members who are enrolled full time in an accredited college or university. Selection will be based on financial need, the student's essay response, and academic achievement.

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AFA Annual Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 10 Deadline

This award is for U.S. high school seniors who are dependents of an Association of Flight Attendants member. Students must rank in the top 15 percent of their class, and must have or expect to have excellent SAT and ACT scores.

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Northern California Asian Peace Officer's Association Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Jan 11 Deadline

This award is offered to full-time students planning to major in law enforcement or a related field. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to apply, and do not have to be of Asian descent.

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UMWA-Lorin E. Kerr Scholarship Fund

$5,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Feb 14 Deadline

This award is available to members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and their dependents. Recipients must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.

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Elizabeth Wesley Incentive Awards Program

$350 Award Amount

1 Award

Jun 30 Deadline

This award program is offered to African-American students in grades nine through eleven who attend schools in one of the following school districts in Tacoma/Pierce County, Washington: Bethel, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Tacoma, or University Place. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

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ONS Foundation Nursing Bachelor's Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 31 Deadline

This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are continuing or pursuing a degree as a registered nurse.

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Horatio Alger Delaware Scholarship Program

$10,000 Award Amount

8 Awards

Oct 25 Deadline

This award is for Delaware high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher demonstrating critical financial need are eligible for this award.

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Horatio Alger Florida Scholarship Program

$10,000 Award Amount

45 Awards

Oct 25 Deadline

This award is for high school seniors in Florida who have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and critical financial need.

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Horatio Alger Minnesota Scholarship Program

$10,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Oct 25 Deadline

This award is for high school seniors who reside in certain counties of Minnesota with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and demonstrate critical financial need.

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Horatio Alger Missouri Scholarship Program

$10,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Oct 25 Deadline

This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who are residents of Missouri and demonstrate critical financial need.

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Horatio Alger Pennsylvania Scholarship Program

$10,000 Award Amount

29 Awards

Oct 25 Deadline

This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who are residents of Pennsylvania and demonstrate critical financial need.

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GCA Internship and Scholarship in Garden History and Design

$4,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jul 1 Deadline

This internship is available to students with courses in horticulture, ornamental horticulture, landscape design and related fields who are interested in working for 10 weeks in the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution or at any facility approved by the scholarship committee providing adequate supervision and structure.

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University of Bridgeport Presidential Scholarship for International Students

$60,000 Award Amount

15 Awards

Jul 15 Deadline

First-time international applicants to the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut with a grade point average of 3.8 or higher are eligible for this award. There is not a separate application for this award; All international students who meet the initial criteria for admission to the university will be automatically considered.

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Michael J. Quill Scholarship

$4,800 Award Amount

15 Awards

Apr 26 Deadline

The Transport Workers Union of America is sponsoring a scholarship for sons and daughters, and dependent brothers and sisters (claimed with the IRS) of present, retired or deceased TWU members. The applicant must be a high school senior who will enter an accredited college in the fall term.

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Dominick D. Critelli, Jr. Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

4 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This award is available for current high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of current members of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE). Selection is based on community involvement, an essay response, and academic achievement.

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Arcadia University Distinguished Scholarship and Achievement Award

$25,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Nov 1, 2922 Deadline

This scholarship is available for international students who are planning to attend Arcadia University in Pennsylvania as freshmen. Applicants must plan to enroll full time.

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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

Group of cheerful diverse teens huddled in sunlight at park.

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

Teens engaged in robotics; a blend of focus and fun in STEM learning.

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!