Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2025

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✔️ 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

Check out our list of 963,882 Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2025 worth $3B.

Direct Textbook "2020, Bring It!" Photo Essay Contest

$500 Award Amount

6 Awards

Jan 16 Deadline

This award is for U.S. undergraduate or graduate students with a 2.0 grade point average or higher who submits a photo that captures the the theme of "2020, Bring It!"

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Schonstedt Scholarship in Surveying

$3,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 17 Deadline

This award is for international and U.S. undergraduate students enrolled full time in a four-year surveying program. Preference will be given to students with junior or senior standing.

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RTDNF Undergraduate Scholarship Program

$2,667 Award Amount

6 Awards

Jan 17 Deadline

A number of scholarships are available through this program to international and U.S. college sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students may be majoring in any field, but must be pursuing a career in electronic journalism.

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CESDA Diversity Scholarship Application

$1,000 Award Amount

7 Awards

Jan 18 Deadline

This award is available for graduating high school seniors from the state of Colorado who plan to enroll in an accredited college or university in Colorado. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher, and must be a member of a minority group or a first-generation college student.

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New York Women in Communications Foundation College Scholarship

$6,250 Award Amount

20 Awards

Jan 24 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. female high school seniors and/or current college students who are permanent residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania. Students must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher overall, and major in a communications-related field, such as advertising, broadcasting, communications, journalism, marketing, new media or public relations.

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Carlozzi Family Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 24 Deadline

This scholarship is available for women in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania who are majoring in journalism or communications. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and recognition for a talent in writing.

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NYWIC Esperanza Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 24 Deadline

This scholarship is available for Hispanic women who are majoring in journalism or communications. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and must be residents of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania.

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Judy Corman Memorial Scholarship from Scholastic

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 24 Deadline

This scholarship and internship opportunity is available for female journalism and communications majors who reside in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania.

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Meredith Corporation Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 24 Deadline

This scholarship and internship opportunity is available for female communications and journalism majors residing in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

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Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship Fund

$600 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 26 Deadline

The Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors and undergraduarte students from the city of Ventura, California. Applicants must have unmet financial need, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must be planning to major in creative writing or engineering.

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Edna Wirt Woods and Ruth Nagel Scholarship Fund

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 26 Deadline

The Edna Wirt Woods and Ruth Nagel Scholarship Fund is available for female high school seniors and previous high school graduates from Ventura County, California. Applicants must be majoring in a health-related field and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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Meriwest Annual Video Essay Competition

$333 Award Amount

12 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

High school students who are 13 to 18 years of age and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must live or work in the California counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco or in Pima County in Arizona, or be members of the Meriwest Credit Union.

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CareerFitter’s 31st Annual Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Jan 31, 2025 Deadline

The Free Career Fit Test™, along with the premium report and Bonus CFT Career Mastery Program, is your key to discovering your ideal career and life purpose. This comprehensive career test guides you to work you love – a true calling, not just a job. Start with the free career test today to uncover your ideal career and purpose. The Career Fit Test™ features a career skills assessment, aptitude test, and personality quiz. We are trusted by universities, career coaches and companies around the world, and have helped hundreds of students find direction in choosing a well-fitting career path. We understand the overwhelming number of career opportunities available to students and how difficult this can be to navigate. CareerFitter has tailored its career assessment tool to examine multiple factors of the person to ensure a range of considerations is made to find an appropriate career. For the 2025 award, we have doubled the value to $1000 to further our support of students and their education. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. A specific major is not required for this award, but the applicant should have above a 2.4 Grade Point Average. We look forward to your application!

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Spirit of Anne Frank Award

$7,500 Award Amount

2 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

Graduating high school seniors who are community leaders and have been accepted to a four-year college are eligible for this award. The award recognizes students who exemplify the commitment, ideals and courage that Anne Frank represents today.

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Courageous Persuaders Video Contest

$1,432 Award Amount

11 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

This award is for U.S. high school students. Students must create a short video that warns about the dangers of underage drinking.

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Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Scholarship

$3,000 Award Amount

50 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

This award is available to U.S. students of Hispanic descent who are currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in an undergraduate program. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and must be a resident of Oregon or Clark County, Washington.

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Bobby Griffith Memorial Scholarship

$6,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 31 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. and international students who have graduated from a high school in Contra Costa, California. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the cause of LGBTQ students through activism and social participation.

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eQuality Medical Scholarship

$6,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

This scholarship is available for undergraduate students in California who are majoring in a medical field. Applicants must identify as LGBT or demonstrate a history of campaigning for and working toward LGBT inclusion and equality.

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eQuality Recent High School Graduate Scholarship

$6,545 Award Amount

11 Awards

Jan 31 Deadline

This scholarship is available for residents of central and northern California who have recently graduated high school and are preparing to enroll in college as a first-time freshman student. Applicants must identify as LGBT or demonstrate a history of working toward equality of LGBT individuals.

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Frank the Tank Scholarship

$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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The Cherry Hawk Scholarship

$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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Right to Privacy Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 31, 2025 Deadline

The Law Offices of Leifert & Leifert is steadfastly committed to giving back to the community. We continue to stand by this commitment through different artistic, civic, academic, and philanthropic causes. One of the fundamental ways we give back is by helping young people achieve their full academic potential so they can then have a positive impact within their community and those around them. To promote this idea we have created the Leifert & Leifert Right to Privacy Scholarship.

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Young Women's Empowerment Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 31 Deadline

The Spiggle Law Firm's Young Women's Empowerment Scholarship is available for undergraduate and graduate students who submit an essay about their experiences empowering young women in their community.

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I Have a Dream Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 31, 2025 Deadline

This award is open to all U.S. students who are 14 and older and who are currently enrolled (or enroll no later than fall of 2027) in an accredited postsecondary institution of higher education. One scholarship winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

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Coloradans for Nebraska College Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

25 Awards

Feb 1 Deadline

High school seniors or currently enrolled students may apply for this undergraduate award. Students must be residents of Colorado planning to attend the University of Nebraska.

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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!