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.
$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. or Canadian undergraduate students enrolled in a tourism and travel or hospitality program of study are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are citizens/permanent residents of the United States, Puerto Rico, or Guam and are enrolled in a travel and tourism- or hospitality-related program of study. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of New Hampshire.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of New Mexico.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
Graduating high school seniors attending Graves County High School or Mayfield High School who are majoring in a computer technology-related field are eligible for this award. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$72,000
Award Amount
80
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. high school seniors who are planning to attend Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Students must exhibited significant leadership in their school or community and have either a grade-point average of 3.35or better and at least 1150 on the SAT (24 composite on the ACT), or at least 1250 on the SAT (27 Composite on the ACT) and, in the opinion of Hampden-Sydney College, strong academic performance in a rigorous college-preparatory program.
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$2,445
Award Amount
202
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available to Iowa undergraduate students who were previously adjudicated in the Iowa foster care system and planning to attend a college or university in Iowa. The student must not be over 23 years old. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$10,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of New York.
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$10,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of North Carolina.
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$10,000
Award Amount
16
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of Ohio.
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$23,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who plan to attend Maryville College in Tennessee. Students must major in theatre.
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$23,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who plan to attend Maryville College in Tennessee. Students must major in an art.
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$1,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Apr 5
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students enrolled in a flexographic printing program at a two-year college are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a demonstrated interest in the tag and label industry.
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$500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 22
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students enrolled in a college/university in New Hampshire with a GPA of 2.5 and majoring in natural resources or horticultural studies.
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$4,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Aug 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. women 17 years of age or older, with minor children that planned to be enrolled in a skills training, ESL, or GED program; or pursuing a technical/vocational degree, an associate degree, a first bachelors degree, or a professional/master's/doctoral degree. Applicants must be of low-income.
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$6,300
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 1
Deadline
This award is available to New England high school students who graduate from an accredited NE high school and plan to attend Great Bay Community College. The student must be of Valedictorian status.
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$750
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jul 21
Deadline
This award is for U.S undergraduate students who are residents of New Hampshire and attend Great Bay Community College or NHTI-Concord's Community College. The student must major in electronic engineering or biotechnology.
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$1,000
Award Amount
350
Awards
Jul 21
Deadline
This award is for U.S students who are residents of New Hampshire and plan to enroll at an eligible New Hampshire community college. The student must be currently employed, at least part-time, in a NH licensed (or license-exempt) early childhood program, or a licensed family child care program, and must be taking early childhood courses through CCSNH.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for graduating high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.3 and a SAT score of 1050 or higher OR an ACT score of 23 or higher. Students must apply for admission to Hiram College in Ohio.
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$8,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for graduating high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 and a SAT score of 950 or higher OR an ACT score of 20 or higher. Students must apply for admission to Hiram College in Ohio.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
U.S. and Canadian citizens who are residents of Massachusetts and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a plumbing or HVACR apprenticeship, two-year school, or four-year college or university.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 16
Deadline
U.S. students who are the spouse, child, stepchild or grandchild of an employee of an InfoComm member organization or an employee of an InfoComm member organization are eligible for this award. Students must be current second, third or fourth year students with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher in an audiovisual related program of study.
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$4,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This award is available for graduating high school seniors with who are member of Phi Theta Kappa. Students must apply for admission to Hiram College in Ohio.
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$2,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is for CBTU members who are high school seniors who have been accepted into college or college undergraduates and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
This award is for Jewish undergraduate or graduate students attending an institute of higher learning approved by UJA-Federation. Applicants must be international students with no U.S. citizenship. Each year approximately $1 million is awarded to students in the New York City region. 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
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff