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
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
The Highland Lakes Legacy Fund: Lemmah A Perry Foundation Scholarship is available for graduating seniors at Marble Falls High School in Marble Falls, TX.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Highland Lakes Legacy Fund: Randall Hibler Memorial Scholarship is provided annually to graduating seniors at Marble Falls High School who reside in Burnet County, TX.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
The Horton-Schultz-Mitchusson Scholarship for Bartlett High School is available for graduating seniors in Bartlett, Texas who demonstrate scholastic achievement, community participation, and an enterprising spirit.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Horton-Schultz-Seiders Scholarship for Taylor High School is available for graduating high school seniors in Taylor, TX. Applications will be evaluated on academic achievement, community involvement, and demonstration of an enterprising spirit.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
The Bess Whitehead Scott - Scribes Scholarship is available for journalism and communications students in Texas who are 40 years of age or older. Award selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Judy Swan Smith Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors in Austin, Texas who plan to major in education and become a certified teacher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The SHPE Austin Scholarship is provided for Hispanic students who are planning to major in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Applicants must be graduating seniors or undergraduate students at a high school or college in the Austin, Texas area. Eligible counties include Travis, Hays, and Williamson, TX.
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$1,667
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
The Linda Cullen Scholarship is available for full time students who are enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary culinary arts program.
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$1,667
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
The AAC Culinary Institute of America Scholarship is provided annually to culinary arts majors and future chefs who are currently attending the Culinary Institute of America.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Cancer for College General Scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement as well as unmet financial need.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Cancer for College Pacific Northwest Scholarship is available for high school seniors and undergraduate students in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must reside in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, or Idaho) and must demonstrate academic achievement & unmet financial need.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Cancer for College Carolinas Scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must reside in or attend a college or university in North or South Carolina.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Dear Jack Scholarship is available for high school seniors and undergraduate students in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must be majoring in music. Applications open Nov. 1 and close January 31 each year. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
Since 1993, Cancer for College has provided hope and inspiration to cancer survivors in the form of college scholarships. Applicants must be business majors or related fields with desires to pursue careers in the food service industry, and possibly owning and operating a restaurant.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
The Ross Skelton Memorial Scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must be majoring in engineering and must reside in or attend school in North or South Carolina.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Skip Wohl Memorial Scholarship is provided annually for undergraduate and graduate students who are cancer patients and cancer survivors. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of and attending school in southern California.
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$16,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Frank the Tank Scholarship is provided for cancer survivors who are enrolled at or planning to enroll at California State University, Fullerton.
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$16,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
The Cherry Hawk Scholarship is provided annually to cancer survivors who reside in or attend college/university in Southern California. Additional preference is given to students who are majoring in a field related to sports.
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$100,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Sep 27
Deadline
The Adobe Research Women in Technology Scholarship is available for women who are pursuing a Bacherlor's or Master's degree in computer science or computer engineering. Applicants must be currently enrolled at the time of application and must demonstrate superior academic achievement as evidenced with an exceptional GPA.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 24
Deadline
The The Max and Emmy Dreyfuss Jewish Undergraduate Scholarship is available for Jewish students in Washington D.C. who have been accepted to or are enrolled in an undergraduate program.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
The Miami Marlins Scholarship is available for college freshman and sophomore students who are majoring in culinary arts or hospitality management at Miami Dade College.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
The Miami Culinary Institute Scholarship is provided annually for undergraduates at Miami Dade College. To be eligible for this scholarship, all applicants must be majoring in culinary arts or hospitality management.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for hospitality management majors at Miami Dade College.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for hospitality majors at Miami Dade College.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is provided for culinary arts majors at Miami Dade College, a local community college in Miami Florida.
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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