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
15
Awards
May 31
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors residing in Central Indiana counties are eligible to be nominated for this award. Students must demonstrate community service, leadership activities, and family commitment
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$1,125
Award Amount
4
Awards
May 13
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors residing in the South Coast Water Distcit service area are eligible to apply. Students must demonstrate community involvement.
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$6,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students attending Arcadia University in Pennsylvania are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need, campus involvement and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30
Deadline
U.S. incoming college freshmen who are the minor dependents of active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guar enlisted airmen are eligible for this award. Financial need and academic need will be considered.
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$11,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. and international freshmen and transfer students who are admitted to Belhaven University are automatically considered for this award. Students must demonstrate academic achievement.
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$9,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
Arizona high school seniors with competitive grade point averages planning to enroll at Arizona State University are eligible for this award. Students will be considered upon admission.
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$10,156
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Arizona high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence will be considered for this award upon admission.
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$22,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
This award is for international students who have completed 15 or more credit hours with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS scores and are planning to transfer to Ashland University in Ohio.
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$4,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Jul 1
Deadline
U.S. freshmen and transfer students who are the sons, daughters, grandsons or granddaughters of Ashland University alumni are eligible for this grant. Students will be awarded upon admission to Ashland University.
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$125,272
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 30
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors planning to enroll full time at Buena Vista University are eligible for this award. Students must meet two of the following requirements: a 3.85 grade point average, 29 ACT or rank in the top 5 percent of their class.
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$60,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 3
Deadline
U.S. students who have completed one semester of college with an SAT score of 1150 and in the top 20 percent of their class are eligible for this award. Students must transfer to Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania.
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$3,200
Award Amount
40
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. freshmen and transfer students who plan to enroll full time at Dordt College in Iowa are eligible for this award. Students' mother or father must be Dordt alumni (attended equivalent of two full semesters).
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$32,000
Award Amount
55
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors planning to attend Jamestown College in North Dakota are eligible for this award. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, an ACT score of 19 or higher, and a combined math and verbal SAT score of 900 or higher.
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$4,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
A U.S. student planning to attend Jamestown College in North Dakota are eligible for this award if his or parent(s) are an alumni of the university.
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$14,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen with a 3.0 grade point average and an ACT score of 25 or higher or an SAT score of 1200 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$14,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen who have a grade point average under 3.0 and an ACT score under 25 or an SAT score under 1140 are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen who are not residents of Kentucky and demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. Students must attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$29,500
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
U.S. students planning to transfer to Bellarmine University in Kentucky are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
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$19,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. students planning to transfer to Bellarmine University in Kentucky are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$9,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students who are planning to enroll at Jamestown College in North Dakota and major in chemistry. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher, an ACT score of 25 or higher, and a combined math and verbal SAT score of 1150 or higher.
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$8,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.2 and an SAT score of 1100 are eligible for this award. Students must be accepted into the Southern New Hampshire University Honors Program.
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 24
Deadline
This undergraduate award is for current high school seniors and college stduents of Latino descent studying at a community college or university in Chicago, IL. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$152,000
Award Amount
40
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who have earned top grades and high ACT/SAT scores will be considered for this award upon admission to Georgia Tech.
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$210,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. female students who demonstrate superior academic achievement, intellectual promise and leadership ability are eligible for this award. Students must attend Meredith College in North Carolina.
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$100,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
U.S. women planning to attend Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate a record of outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement as well as evidence of leadership potential.
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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