Scholarships

College freshmen scholarships

Find scholarships for college freshmen that can help you pay for college.

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College freshmen scholarships

Chatham University Presidential Scholarship for First-Year Students

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
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Atto Gardner Memorial Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
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Stockton Promise

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required
Varies
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Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
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University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Music and Performing Arts-Music Scholarships

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
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Zarrow Foundation Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
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New Mexico Scholars Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
Varies
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Lee A. Dumas Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Due: 2/28/26 No Transcripts Required
Varies
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Huntingdon College Esports Award

Due: 2/28/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$14,000
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Key takeaways about college freshmen scholarships

  • There are scholarships specifically for college freshmen, even after you’ve started classes.

  • You don’t need a perfect GPA—many scholarships focus on major, background, interests, or community involvement.

  • School-based and local scholarships often offer the best odds.

  • Small scholarships add up and can help cover books, fees, or housing.

  • Using the right tools can make finding and tracking scholarships much easier.

Starting college is exciting—and expensive. If you’re searching for college freshmen scholarships, you’re probably looking for real options that can actually help pay the bills. The good news? There are plenty of scholarships you can still apply for during your first year of college, and many students qualify without realizing it.

This guide breaks down what’s available, how to qualify, and how to apply without turning scholarships into a full-time job.

What are college freshmen scholarships?

College freshmen scholarships are awards designed to help students pay for school during their first year of college. They can come from colleges, private organizations, employers, community groups, and national scholarship providers.

Some scholarships are one-time awards, while others renew each year if you meet the requirements. Most can be used for more than tuition—including fees, housing, books, supplies, and technology.

And if you think you missed your chance after high school? You didn’t. Many scholarships are open to students who are already enrolled in college—especially when you’re using a scholarship search tool that matches opportunities to your profile.

Why scholarships matter for freshmen

Scholarships are one of the best ways to lower your college costs because they don’t have to be paid back.

They can help you:

  • Reduce how much you need to borrow.

  • Cover out-of-pocket expenses like textbooks or lab fees.

  • Stay enrolled if finances get tight.

  • Build your resume with competitive or merit-based awards.

Even smaller scholarships can make a real difference when you stack them together—especially if you consistently apply throughout the year instead of only once.

Pro tip: Use Scout College Search to compare schools, estimate costs, and understand how scholarships and financial aid fit into the bigger picture.

How to qualify for scholarships as a college freshman

Most freshmen qualify for at least a few scholarships—it’s usually just a matter of knowing where to look.

Scholarships may be based on:

  • Academic performance or GPA

  • Financial need

  • Your major or career goals

  • Identity or background, including first-generation status

  • Leadership, service, or extracurricular activities

  • Where you live or work

Use a scholarship search tool like Scholly Scholarships to find opportunities that align with your background, goals, and timeline—so you’re not searching blindly. Filing out the FAFSA® is also important, since many scholarships use it to confirm financial need.

Scholly Scholarships

Find scholarships that are right for you

Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.

Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.

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Top scholarship types for college freshmen

Easy-entry scholarships

These scholarships usually have simple applications and no essays, making them a great place to start if you’re short on time or new to the process.

Don't forget to check out Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships to quickly apply to multiple Sallie exclusive scholarships with just one application.

College and department scholarships

Your college is one of the best places to look. Departments, alumni groups, and campus foundations often offer scholarships specifically for enrolled students—and these awards often stack with outside scholarships.

Local scholarships

Community organizations and local foundations tend to have fewer applicants, which can boost your chances of winning.

For more information on how and where to find local scholarships, check out How to find scholarships: A comprehensive guide.

Major-based scholarships

If you’ve declared a major—or even have a general direction—there are scholarships tied to fields like healthcare, education, STEM, business, and more. Knowing how your major connects to future careers can also help you prioritize which scholarships to apply for first.

How to apply without burning out

The key to winning scholarships isn’t applying to everything—it’s applying strategically.

Start by choosing a manageable mix:

  • A few quick applications

  • A few mid-level scholarships

  • One larger “stretch” scholarship

Create a simple folder with your transcript, resume, and a reusable essay. Then use reminders or a scholarship tracker to stay on top of deadlines.

Additional resources for college freshmen

If you want to explore more scholarships that match your background, interests, or where you live, these curated lists can help you narrow things down faster—and apply smarter.

Frequently asked questions

These tips can help as you get ready to apply for college freshmen scholarships.

When are scholarship application deadlines?

There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.

Do you need to know which college you’re attending?

You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.

Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?

Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!

Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.

Does every scholarship application require an essay?

Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.

Need more money for college?

Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.

FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.