Scholarships for College Freshmen

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If you are a college freshman, most 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! This blog post will provide an overview of 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. 

Now is the time to go through the Scholarship Directory for first-year college students and create a good foundation for success. Take our Scholarship Match Quiz to see what kind of scholarships you could be eligible for. 

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: 

  1. 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. 
  1. 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. 
  1. 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 Ask 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. 

What are the 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 2024 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! 

Scholarships for College Freshmen 2024 List

Sigma Psi Zeta Aurora Scholarship

Sigma Psi Zeta is excited to open applications for our annual Aurora Scholarship. The Aurora Scholarship aims to promote womxn empowerment and create leaders at Wichita State University and within the community. We are awarding two full-time Wichita State undergraduate students (current and incoming) who have demonstrated advocacy in our community with a scholarship in the amount of $500 each.
Award Amount

Total:  $2000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  August 27

Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway Contest

Since 2008, Dr Pepper has awarded over $10,000,000 in tuition to help students reach their biggest goals. The Dr Pepper AFS Tuition Giveaway is open only to legal residents of the U.S. and District Columbia who are 17 years of age or older. Grand Prize Winner will receive one $2,500 Tuition Award and each First Prize Winner will receive one $1,000 Tuition Award. The Total ARV of the Prizes is $4,500.
Award Amount

Total:  $7500

Awards:  3

Deadline

Deadline:  September 12

Crofton Cares $25,000 Scholarship

Eligible students must: Reside in either the Tampa (FL) Metropolitan Area or Cleveland (OH) Metropolitan Area Be a high school senior or older Have a minimum, unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 and a minimum 1280 SAT (or 28 ACT) Be a leader or actively engaged in their school and/or community Demonstrate financial need
Award Amount

Total:  $25000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  April 15

Northern Illinois University Presidential Scholars Program

The NIU Presidential Scholars Program recognizes outstanding first-year students for their hard work and academic accomplishments. Eligible students are guaranteed a minimum merit scholarship of $5,000, $6,000 or $7,000 per year (for up to four years) and have the opportunity to compete for a Presidential Scholarship. This competitive scholarship provides full tuition, fees and on-campus room and board, along with a book stipend, for up to eight semesters. Approximately 10 incoming first-year students will receive this award each year.
Award Amount

Total:  $95275

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 09

FFA Future Leaders Scholarship

Through the National FFA Foundation, businesses and individuals support scholarships that are awarded to students with a wide variety of higher education plans and career goals. FFA provides scholarships that support all areas of agriculture, either in trade schools, certifications, or college. Scholarships support FFA high school seniors and collegiate members. Just one application is required for multiple scholarship opportunities totaling close to $2 million. Nearly $2 million in FFA scholarships are available, thanks in part to a recent gift from the Tractor Supply Foundation. Each year for the next five years, Tractor Supply will commit $1 million to the FFA Futures Leaders Scholarship Fund. Tractor Supply will also offer scholarship recipients the opportunity to interview for career opportunities at its stores or distribution centers while they are pursuing their education and will earmark internships at the company’s Store Support Center each year. To be eligible for the scholarships, FFA members must be studying agriculture or a skilled trade.
Award Amount

Total:  $21316000

Awards:  146

Deadline

Deadline:  December 23

Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Applications are available online on the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library Foundation website. To enter this contest, students must write an essay addressing the topic listed on the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library Foundation website. The essay should be original and creative, and demonstrate an understanding of political courage as described in John F. Kennedy’s ‘Profiles in Courage’ book. Applicants should use a variety of sources such as newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews. The essay must be between 700 and 1,000 words in length (footnotes and the bibliography are not included in the word count), and must be typed and double-spaced on one side of each page. The essay must be the original work of the student. All applicants must attach a bibliography (using any one of the recognized formats) citing the sources used in writing the essay. It is recommended that students use five or more selected sources. Essays with five or less listed sources or essays which rely solely on Internet sources may be disqualified. Essays without a bibliography will be disqualified. All students must also complete the online registration form, which is available on the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library Foundation website. Applicants must ask one of their teachers to nominate them for this award. All students must list the name of their nominating teacher on the registration form. The nominating teacher can be a former or current teacher, but must still be teaching at the same high school as the essay participant. The parent or legal guardian responsible for the instruction of a home schooled student can also serve as a nominating teacher. Completed essays may be submitted online (preferred method) or through regular mail. Essays submitted via postal mail and online entries must be postmarked by the deadline.
Award Amount

Total:  $420000

Awards:  15

Deadline

Deadline:  January 13

Des Moines Women’s Club Literature Scholarship

In 1885, five indomitable, foresighted women, their bustles in place, met in the old Plymouth Congregational Church, 5th & Grand Avenue, to form what is now the Des Moines Women’s Club. Since its early years, the Des Moines Women’s Club has provided strong support for the arts in central Iowa. The DMWC annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors, college students, and students pursuing higher education degrees. The Des Moines Women’s Club Literature Scholarship is open to registered students or residents of central Iowa (Polk, Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, or Warren Counties) and is awarded to a graduating high school senior of any gender pursuing a major or minor degree in Language and Literature, Language Arts, Journalism, Writing or Language Education. Applicants may apply for only one Des Moines Women’s Club scholarship per year and must submit one poem, one short story, and one narrative essay as well as a short biographical essay including future writing goals. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.
Award Amount

Total:  $1200000

Awards:  24

Deadline

Deadline:  January 27

Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship

The Christopher K. Smith Memorial Future Teacher Scholarship offers $1,000 per year, for four years, to a graduate of a Delaware public high school. They must major in education and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. While not a requirement, graduates are encouraged to teach in a Delaware public school. The scholarship offers $1,000 per year, for four years, to a graduate of a Delaware public high school. They must major in education and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. While not a requirement, graduates are encouraged to teach in a Delaware public school. The selection committee, comprised of DSEA staff and members, considers a variety of factors when making its decision. These factors include academic performance, involvement in high school activities, and career plans. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from their teachers, which focuses on their leadership potential, personal character, and degree of initiative. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.
Award Amount

Total:  $4000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 27

Texts=Wrecks Scholarship

Prevention is the best cure, no matter what you’re talking about. Not drinking will decrease your chance of causing a drunk-driving accident by a perfect 100 percent! Putting your phone away and paying attention to the road will save lives and prevent serious injuries…the kind we have to go to court for nearly every week. At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we try to stop accidents before they happen. That’s why we launched our “”Texts=Wrecks”” campaign in 2018 – to save lives. But we need your help!We strongly believe that the next generation is a great one, and that you will be leaders in changing the way America drives. So we want to hear your best ideas – including things you’ve already tried that have worked – to help yourself, your family members, and your friends drive more safely. For inspiration, check out our previous winners. We are offering a $1,000 scholarship for one deserving Virginia high school student who will graduate by June 2023, or a college student anywhere in the United States who graduated from a Virginia high school. We strongly believe the next generation is a great one, and we can’t wait to see what they plan to do with their lives.
Award Amount

Total:  $1000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  May 16

Shelving.com Business Scholarship

For over 60 years, our company has racked your world with a wide variety of effective and durable storage solutions ranging from wire shelving to personal lockers and more. As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of preparing America’s youth for the future, and we recognize the importance of higher education in ensuring that our students receive the education and skills they deserve when entering the workforce. With that in mind, the 2024 Shelving.com Business Scholarship is now open – available to Michigan residents pursuing a major in business and/or currently enrolled in a business-related field of study. This scholarship will offer one grand prize of $3,000, one runner-up prize of $2,000, and one second runner-up prize of $1,000. The 2024 Shelving.com Business Scholarship will be accepting applications from Michigan residents who are either currently attending an accredited college or university, or are high school seniors currently enrolled or planning to enroll in college or university. Michigan residents are eligible if attending an accredited college or university outside of the state. Any student interested in applying is required to submit a copy of their current transcript and resume, as well as an essay that answers the prompt below. If not presently attending a college or university, proof of college or university enrollment is required. Applicants will be judged on their academic merits as well as the content of the application essay they provide.
Award Amount

Total:  $18000

Awards:  3

Deadline

Deadline:  July 04