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Scholarships
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College freshmen scholarships
Find scholarships for college freshmen that can help you pay for college.
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College freshmen scholarships
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American Legion Legacy Scholarship
Due: 3/26/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$20,000
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship designed to fulfill a financial gap remaining after all federal and state educational grants or scholarships available to an eligible applicant have been utilized. Those who may apply are children of U.S. military members who died while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001; and children of post-9/11 veterans having been assigned a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater by the Department of Veterans Affairs also qualify. Each needs-based scholarship provides up to $20,000 for children of the fallen, and up to $5,000 for children of the disabled for undergraduate or post-graduate college. Recipients may reapply for additional annual awards up to six times. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information about the program and the required materials that must be submitted depending on the student's eligibility.
1 day left!
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Balkhi Foundation Higher Education Scholarships
Due: 3/26/26
$1,000
The Balkhi Foundation Higher Education Scholarship seeks to help talented young people make college more attainable through a scholarship. These annual renewable awards are granted to exceptional high school seniors accepted to a US based college or university who demonstrate a financial need. An ideal applicant for a Balkhi Foundation Scholarship is a student who has shown dedication to their academics as well as their personal goals whether that is through community service, creation of a business or invention, or significant dedication to academic pursuits. Students should be self starters who have shown tenacity in the face of challenges and a hunger for success. Previous Balkhi Foundation Scholars have represented a diverse variety of backgrounds and high school experiences including community service, writing and publishing novels, completing university level research or associates degrees in high school, or being identified as leaders within their school and community. Applicants must provide the contact information (including email address) for two teachers that can speak to their academic achievement. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
1 day left!
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National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Due: 3/26/26
|No Transcripts Required
$20,000
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The program provides up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses to scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded for one year and can be renewed for up to four years. Three letters of recommendation are required. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
2 days left!
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Eddison Hermond Memorial Scholarship Fund
Due: 3/27/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,500
The Eddison Hermond Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by The Restaurant Association of Maryland and the Victoria Restaurant Group to honor the life of Eddie Hermond. Eddie lived to serve and he died serving. This competitive scholarship is awarded to students interested in pursuing culinary, food service, or hospitality-related coursework. Applicants may be high school seniors or current college students. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maryland Restaurant Association Education Foundation for more information.
2 days left!
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Marcia S. Harris Legacy Fund Scholarship
Due: 3/27/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The Marcia S. Harris Legacy Fund Scholarship is presented by the Restaurant Association of Maryland in memory of Marcia S. Harris, former CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland for more than 20 years. Marcia had a love for life and a love for the foodservice industry that stood out even in the largest crowds. Her passion and dedication to promoting, protecting and improving the foodservice industry is what drove her day in and day out. Applicants should also possess the qualities of passion and dedication and have a strong desire to improve the foodservice industry through the personal pursuit of professionalism. Applicants may be high school seniors, college students, and high school or post-secondary instructors who teach culinary arts or hospitality management courses. Applicants must be pursuing hospitality-related coursework. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maryland Restaurant Association Education Foundation for more information.
2 days left!
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Letitia B. Carter Scholarship
Due: 3/27/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,500
The Letitia B. Carter Scholarship is presented by the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation in memory of the former CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. This competitive scholarship is awarded to those interested in pursuing hospitality-related coursework. It is available to high school students and college students as well as high school, college or corporate instructors and current hospitality industry professionals. Student applicants must have a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 and instructors, teachers and industry applicants must have a minimum of 1500 hours documented industry experience. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Maryland Restaurant Association Education Foundation for more information.
3 days left!
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Hawaii Association of Broadcasters Scholarship
Due: 3/28/26
Varies
The purpose of the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters Scholarship is to assist a college student with the cost of tuition for one year in his or her pursuit of college study. The student must have the career goal of working in the broadcast industry (radio, television) in Hawaii upon graduation. Applicants must be students interested in a broadcast career who are attending or plan to attend an accredited college or university or a recognized broadcast school in the United States. Applicants must be a senior in high school or a student currently enrolled in college. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
3 days left!
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Bob Antle Scholarship
Due: 3/28/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Bob Antle Scholarship is available to current and incoming current undergraduate students. This scholarship is open to all majors. Preference is given to applicants with migrant background.
3 days left!
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UNLV Able and Advancing Scholarship
Due: 3/28/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,000
The UNLV Able and Advancing Scholarship is open to students with disabilities who are actively pursuing their degrees at UNLV. This scholarship applies to UNLV undergraduate students only. Students have maximum financial aid award eligibility for each semester. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
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Key takeaways about college freshmen scholarships
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There are scholarships specifically for college freshmen, even after you’ve started classes.
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You don’t need a perfect GPA—many scholarships focus on major, background, interests, or community involvement.
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School-based and local scholarships often offer the best odds.
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Small scholarships add up and can help cover books, fees, or housing.
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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:
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Reduce how much you need to borrow.
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Cover out-of-pocket expenses like textbooks or lab fees.
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Stay enrolled if finances get tight.
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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:
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Academic performance or GPA
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Financial need
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Your major or career goals
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Identity or background, including first-generation status
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Leadership, service, or extracurricular activities
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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
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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.
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:
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A few quick applications
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A few mid-level scholarships
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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.
- Scholarships by Major - Find scholarships tailored to your field of study—whether it's STEM, arts, business, or education.
- Scholarships for High School Seniors - Perfect for students starting their college journey. Many deadlines fall during senior year.
- Scholarships for College Students - Keep applying throughout college—new opportunities open up every year.
- Scholarships for First Generation Students - If you’re the first in your family to attend college, these scholarships are designed to support you.
- Scholarships for Adults - Returning to school? These scholarships help adult learners fund their education.
- Scholarships for Women - Empowering scholarships for women, including awards specifically for Black women.
- LGBTQ+ Scholarships - Scholarships that support students navigating both racial and LGBTQ+ identities.
- Scholarships by State - Local scholarships often have fewer applicants—boost your chances by applying close to home.
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.
More resources to explore
Tips for writing scholarship essays
Get tips for writing scholarship essays. Learn what makes a good scholarship essay.
Find scholarship resources
Explore our scholarship resources, articles, and guide to get all the tips and tricks to help pay for college.
Fill out the FAFSA®
Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
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