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

Family & Children's Services of Lebanon County

$4,800 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 30 Deadline

This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of Lebanon county in Pennsylvania. Applicants must plan to major in a field of social sciences or human services, such as medicine, nursing, counseling, or social work.

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SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to undergraduate students of Native American (defined as all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas), Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and/or Indigenous Pacific Islander ancestry. Students must pursue studies in archaeology.

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A Nurse I Am Scholarship

$14,000 Award Amount

7 Awards

Mar 31 Deadline

This award is for U.S. nursing students who are attending nursing school in the U.S.

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WBDI College Scholarship Program

$2,000 Award Amount

4 Awards

Nov 1 Deadline

WBDI COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS are given annually to women enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate instrumental music program, with the intent of becoming a band director. Applications are accepted from October 1st through November 1st this year. The Women Band Directors International will award scholarships of various amounts designed to salute the people for whom they are named and to support young women presently preparing to be band directors. Your application must include 2 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a copy of your unofficial transcripts. All files must be submitted with the application for the application to be considered.

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Denise Davis Teen Parent Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 5 Deadline

U.S. high school seniors graduating from an Aurora, Colorado public school are eligible for this award. Students must be teen parents.

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Concordia College of New York Fellows Program Scholarship for Incoming College Freshmen

$166,000 Award Amount

5 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

U.S. graduating high school seniors who rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class and have an SAT/ACT score of 1270/26 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must plan to attend Concordia College of New York.

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Clark University LEEP Scholarship

$290,250 Award Amount

5 Awards

Feb 1 Deadline

U.S. graduating high school seniors who demonstrate high academic achievement and plan to attend Clark University in Massachusetts are eligible for this award.

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Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 5 Deadline

U.S. graduating high school seniors with a documented learning disability who demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. The student must plan to enroll in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with learning disabilities.

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Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Apr 26 Deadline

U.S. and international high school bowling athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be nominated by their athletic directors or coaches.

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Aurora Public Schools (APS) Scholarship Fund

$4,000 Award Amount

5 Awards

Mar 30 Deadline

U.S. graduating high school seniors from Aurora, Colorado public schools are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher, an ACT score of 18 or higher, and plan to attend a two- or four-year institution in Colorado.

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Bob Caviness Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 30 Deadline

U.S. high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher who will graduate form Hinkly High School in Aurora, Colorado are eligible for this award. Students must participate in the Robert Caviness Invitational.

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Drake Davis Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

4 Awards

Mar 4 Deadline

U.S. high school seniors who exemplify outstanding qualities in leadership, character and community service are eligible to apply for this award.

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Marketing EDGE Scholarship Program

$3,000 Award Amount

24 Awards

Apr 15 Deadline

This scholarship program is for current U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a career in marketing. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founders' Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

60 Awards

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is for U.S. high school seniors and incoming college freshmen who are 21 years of age or younger. Students must reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah,Washington, or Wyoming.

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Bounce Energy BE MORE Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Jun 30 Deadline

This scholarship is available for high school seniors and current college students who are residents of Texas, or attend high school or college in Texas. Students must be under the age of 24 and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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John J. Csizmar Memorial Scholarship

$3,500 Award Amount

2 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This award is available for current high school seniors graduating from Poughkeepsie High School in Poughkeepsie, New York. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and a history of participation in sports or other community activities.

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Ecolab Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are majoring in hospitality management. Students must enroll full time.

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AH&LEF Incoming Freshman Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available to U.S. students who will be incoming college freshmen in the following academic year. Students must plan to major in hospitality management and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

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Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

Incoming sophomore, juniors, or seniors attending a California college or university who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be of 50% or more Asian heritage and major in accounting, political science, public policy, business administration or related fields.

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CABAA Scholarship Program

$7,500 Award Amount

5 Awards

May 10 Deadline

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current college students who are studying in an aviation-related field and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Priority will be given to Chicago area residents, followed by Illinois residents.

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Krylon Clear Choice Art Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

5 Awards

May 31 Deadline

This award is available for high school seniors, college freshman, and college sophomores who submit an art portfolio and artist statement.

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Harry J. Morris, Jr. Emergency Services Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is available for undergraduate students residing in Kent, Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Ottawa, Montcalm, Muskegon, or Newaygo counties in Michigan. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and must be majoring in emergency services such as emergency medical tech., paramedic, or firefighter training.

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Arthur P. Krichevsky Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is available for undergraduate Jewish students residing in Portland, Oregon. Applicants must demonstrate unmet financial need.

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Mary Free Bed Minority Scholarship Program

$1,000 Award Amount

5 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is available for minority students who reside in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. Applicants must be currently enrolled in one of the specified nursing specialities and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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Ralph J. and Sondra Gordon Bays Memorial Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 14 Deadline

This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Franklin, Monroe, or Middletown Ohio who plan to major in engineering. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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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

Diverse group of happy high school freshmen friends in a hallway.

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!