Scholarships for College Freshmen

Last Updated: 2025-10-31
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Below is a list of 80 scholarships available to College freshmen. The majority of these scholarships require a short essay submission along with an application. A few scholarships are conditional on the applicant’s ethnicity or their chosen major.

Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends January 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$2,200

Eligibility

High school, undergraduate, and graduate students affected by mental illness personally or in the family

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay discussing how mental illness has affected them and/or the family

Apply

Link

American Red Cross Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program

Application Period

Winter: December 15 to January 15
Summer: May 25 to September 7

Award(s)

Multiple winners: Ranging from one (1) to six (6)
$1,000 to applicants who collect 25 to 59 pints of blood $1,500 to applicants who collect 60 to 99 pints of blood
$2,500 to applicants who collect 100 or more pints of blood 
Also receive a gift card with a varying amount depending on amount of blood collected

Eligibility

High school and college students

Requirements

Sign up to host a blood drive while school is out of session and apply for the scholarship between program time frames to be entered into scholarship drawing

Apply

Link

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship

Application Period

Spring Semester: Ends March 1
Summer Semester: Ends May 1
Fall Semester: Ends September 1

Award(s)

Varied number of winners
Four year institutions and two-year institutions with on-campus housing: $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore, $2,850 as a junior and senior
Two-year institutions: $1,600 per full-time enrollment semester

Eligibility

Entering freshmen residing in Tennessee, attending a Tennessee college, and have graduated from a Tennessee high school (enrolled within 16 months of graduation)
Minimum of 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT
Minimum 3.0 GPA

Requirements

Applicants can apply by completing a FAFSA

Apply

Link

Lounge Lizard Web Design Scholarship

Application Period

Spring Semester: Ends February 18
Fall Semester: Ends October 2

Award(s)

One (1) winner per semester
$1,000 per semester ($2,000 total annually) and design critique 

Eligibility

Undergraduate students attending an accredited school

Requirements

Original web design

Apply

Link

Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Application Period

Ends December 31

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$50,000

Eligibility

High school & college students

Requirements

Niche account registration

Apply

Link

Galvanize the Future Scholarship

Application Period

Ends March 31

Award(s)

Two (2) winners
$2,500 each ($5,000 total)

Eligibility

Full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students with a major in architecture, civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, material science, or other related field

Requirements

1,000- to 2,000-word essay 

Apply

Link

Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

Application Period

Freshmen Scholarships: December 1 to February 2
Upperclassmen Scholarships: February 10 to March 31

Award(s)

Varied number of winners
Awards range from $1,000 to $19,000 for each award

Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students identifying as women studying Electrical Engineering, or Engineering Technology in an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology-accredited program
Some awards have minimum GPAs
Some awards have preference given to candidates from under-represented groups or candidates demonstrating financial need

Requirements

Submit application through Society of Women Engineers

Apply

Link

Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

Application Period

November 30 to April 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$3,000 per year for four years

Eligibility

High school seniors & undergraduate students
Financial need

Requirements

Two letters of recommendation, Personal statement, Essay, SAT and/or ACT scores, FAFSA form

Apply

Link

American Bus Association Academic Merit Scholarship

Application Period

Opens December 1

Award(s)

Two (2) winners
$5,000 each ($10,000 total)

Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students with a major related to transportation, travel, or the tourism industry
Minimum GPA of 3.4

Requirements

Short essay discussing how their major/course of study is related to this industry

Apply

Link

$1,000 Scholarship for Book Lovers

Application Period

Ends September 15

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors & undergraduate students
3.0 minimum GPA

Requirements

Essay or video, Letter of recommendation

Apply

Link

Adoptee Excellence Scholarship

Application Period

Ends April 26

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors graduating with a plan to attend undergraduate university and full-time undergraduate students 
Adopted internationally to the United States

Requirements

Application Form
350-word essay response
Letter of recommendation

Apply

Link

Digital Responsibility E-waste Scholarship

Application Period

Ends April 30

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school, college, & graduate students

Requirements

140-character statement
500- to 1,000-word essay (10 finalists)

Apply

Link

Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends March 31

Award(s)

Multiple winners
$2,000

Eligibility

Students enrolled in a higher education program in architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, construction management, interior design, or another degree program closely related to accessibility/universal design
Minimum GPA of 2.5

Requirements

Application
Transcript
Letter of recommendation

Apply

Link

Rover Scholarship Contest

Application Period

Ends May 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$2,500 

Eligibility

High school seniors & college students
3.0 minimum GPA

Requirements

400- to 500-word essay

Apply

Link

Denes I. Bardos Award

Application Period

February 1 to May 1

Award(s)

Four (4) winners per year
$1,000 each ($4,000 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students who are first or second-generation immigrants currently residing in the United States 

Requirements

Personal statement
Financial documents
Transcript
Standardized test scores

Apply

Link

Cardsdirect Future Designer Scholarship

Application Period

Ends May 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000
Design featured as products on the site

Eligibility

High school seniors accepted into a post-secondary institution and full-time college students 
Must be 17 years old or older

Requirements

Submit original artwork that is holiday-themed, Christmas card style

Apply

Link

Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Scholarship

Application Period

Ends May 2

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$5,100

Eligibility

Undergraduate freshmen women
Preference is given to students in computer engineering-related majors

Requirements

Submit an application

Apply

Link

First Responders Children’s Scholarship

Application Period

Ends May 31

Multiple Award(s)

Multiple winners
Amount unspecified

Eligibility

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are children of first responders
2.7 GPA minimum

Requirements

3 letters of recommendation with at least one from a teacher or a professor

Apply

Link

John Galt Solutions Scholarship for Future Supply Chain Leaders

Application Period

Ends November 2

Award(s)

Two (2) winners
$10,000 each ($20,000 total)

Eligibility

Undergraduate students who are majoring in supply chain

Requirements

500- to 750-word personal statement discussing their passion for supply chain management, financial need, and their dedication to personal growth

Apply

Link

Big Sun Athletics Scholarship

Application Period

Ends June 19

Award(s)

Varies year-to-year
$500 each

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduates, & graduate students
Involvement in student athletics

Requirements

500- to 1,000-word essay

Apply

Link

Probo Medical Scholarship

Application Period

Opens March

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school and college students in “good standing”
3.0 minimum GPA

Requirements

1,500-word essay describing how healthcare can be more accessible and affordable, and why doing so is important 

Apply

Link

NES Scholarship Program

Application Period

End June 27

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$25,000 over a 4-year period

Eligibility

Incoming freshmen who attended high school in New York City (one of the five boroughs) and will be attending an eligible New England college or University
Financial need

Requirements

250-word personal statement
Financial aid information
Transcript

Apply

Link

Digital Privacy Scholarship

Application Period

Ends June 30

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school, college, & nontraditional students

Requirements

140-character personal statement

Apply

Link

Studybay Annual Spring Essay Contest

Application Period

Ends July 1

Award(s)

Three (3) winners
First place: $1,500
Second place: $1,000
Third place: $500

Eligibility

Graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education, undergraduate, and graduate students
At least 18 years old

Requirements

550- to 1,000-word essay on one of the provided topics

Apply

Link

Pedro Zamora Scholarship

Application Period

Opens March 1

Award(s)

Multiple awards
$5,000

Eligibility

High school seniors and first-year college students, sophomores, and juniors 
Work making change in areas of social justice and health justice

Requirements

250-word personal statement discussing their fit for the scholarship
1,500-word essay on one of three writing prompts
Two letters of recommendation
Transcript

Apply

Link

HACU Scholarship Program

Application Period

Due dates vary

Award(s)

Number of awards vary by scholarship
Range of awards from $500 to $15,000 each

Eligibility

Full-time bachelor’s degree students attending a four-year college that is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (already completed the first semester)
Individual scholarships may have additional eligibility requirements

Requirements

Complete a scholarship profile on website to be matched with HACU scholarships
Individual scholarships may have additional specific essay requirements

Apply

Link

Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship

Application Period

January 1 to July 31
August 1 to December 31

Award(s)

1 winner per term (2 annual winners)
$1,000 each ($2,000 total)

Eligibility

High school & college students

Requirements

250-word essay

Apply

Link

Minecraft Scholarship

Application Period

Ends July 31

Multiple Award(s)

One (1) winner
$2,000

Eligibility

HIgh school and college students
Minimum of 3.0 GPA

Requirements

Must submit a 500-word essay on how Minecraft can be a positive influence within education and career

Apply

Link

CareerFitter’s Annual Scholarship

Application Period

Ends July 31

Award(s)

Two (2) winners annually
$1,000 each ($2,000 total)

Eligibility

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students in the US
Minimum GPA of 2.4

Requirements

700-character essay discussing the perfect career
Brief questionnaire
Form submission

Apply

Link

Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship

Application Period

Ends August 1
Will only accept 1,000 applications

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,500

Eligibility

High school seniors planning to attend a university, full-time undergraduate, and graduate students 
Demonstrates ambition and self-drive as evidenced by outstanding achievement in school and participation and leadership in school activities and work experience
Major in a health and fitness-related field

Requirements

Up to 500-word response describing your outstanding achievement in school
Up to 1,000-word response describing participation and leadership in school activities, the community, and work experiences
Up to 1,500-word response to a prompt related to health-related public policy

Apply

Link

Patsy Mink Foundation Education Support Application

Application Period

Opens May

Award(s)

Five (5) winners
$5,000 each ($25,000 total)

Eligibility

Postsecondary students pursuing their first degree who are mothers 
Financial need (low income earning less than $21,000 to $32,000 annually depending on family size)

Requirements

Submit Application

Apply

Link

Learner Tutoring Innovators of Color in STEM Scholarship

Application Period

March 4 to April 4

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$5,000

Eligibility

High school and college students identifying as BIPOC in a STEM field

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay discussing how you hope to have an impact in the STEM field as a person of color

Apply

Link

Diane Amendt Memorial Scholarship for the Arts

Application Period

Ends Jan 6

Award(s)

One (1) winner annually
$1,000

Eligibility

High school, undergraduate, & graduate students who are studying the arts

Requirements

400-600 word essay discussing arts education

Apply

Link

Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Application Period

Ends September 30

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school, college, & nontraditional students

Requirements

140-character personal statement

Apply

Link

Scholarship360 No-Essay Scholarship

Application Period

July 1 2025, to June 30 2026

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$10,000

Eligibility

High school, undergraduate, & graduate students

Requirements

Scholarship360.com membership

Apply

Link

Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

Application Period

Ends November 8

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school and undergraduate students with an interest in automotive, media arts, technology, or a related field

Requirements

600-word or less essay on the effects of DUIs and strategies that can be used to prevent them

Apply

Link

C. Louis Gable Trudgers Fund

Application Period

November 10

Award(s)

One (1) winner 
$1,000 

Eligibility

High school seniors & returning undergraduates
Alcohol or drug addicts in recovery

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Conscious Consumer Scholarship

Application Period

June 1 to December 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,015

Eligibility

High school, college, & graduate students
Applicants displaying distinct financial consciousness will have a better chance of being awarded a scholarship

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Terry Masters Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends December 5

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$1,500

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students in the field of fine arts

Requirements

50- to 300-word essay
2-3 images of original art

Apply

Link

Delete Cyberbullying Social Media Scholarship

Application Period

Ends February 28

Award(s)

Undisclosed number of winners
$1,000 per winner

Eligibility

High school, college, & graduate students

Requirements

500-word essay

Apply

Link

HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships

Application Period

Quarterly

Award(s)

1 quarterly winner (4 annual winners)
$2,000 each ($8,000 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors, community college, undergraduate, graduate, technical college, & vocational program students
Minimum of 3.4 GPA

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Too Cool to Pay for School Quarterly Scholarship

Application Period

Quarterly
Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31

Award(s)

1 quarterly winner (4 annual winners)
$1,000 each ($4,000 total)

Eligibility

High school, undergraduate, & graduate students

Requirements

Online entry 

Apply

Link

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Application Period

Rolling monthly application deadlines (preference to early applicants)
Awarded on December 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$25,000

Eligibility

All students

Requirements

Profile on Bold.org

Apply

Link

Honor Society Undergraduate Achiever Scholarship

Application Period

Rolling monthly application deadlines

Award(s)

One (1) winner each month
$2,000 each ($24,000 total)

Eligibility

Undergraduate students
Should be comfortable giving a video and/or written testimonial about their program and the scholarship

Requirements

Summary of current academic program and achievements
Up to 500-word statement describing the relevance of their students to their life and/or goals
Current GPA and transcript
Complete their Honor Society profile

Apply

Link

$2,000 Sallie No Essay Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

1 monthly winner (12 annual winners)
$2,000 each ($24,000 annual total)

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate students, graduates, and parents

Requirements

Online registration

Apply

Link

Niche $2,000 No Essay Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

1 monthly winner (12 annual winners)
$2,000 each ($24,000 annual total)

Eligibility

High school & college students

Requirements

Niche account registration

Apply

Link

Smarter College Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

1 monthly winner (12 annual winners)
$2,000 each ($24,000 annual total)

Eligibility

High school seniors, graduates, returning undergraduates, & parents
U.S. Citizens, residents, DACA recipients, & international students

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Tallo Monthly Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly 

Award(s)

1 monthly winner (12 annual winners)
$1,000 each ($12,000 total)

Eligibility

High school & college students

Requirements

Create a profile with Tallo

Apply

Link

Edvisors $2,500 Monthly Drawing

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

1 monthly winner (12 annual winners)
$2,500 each ($30,000 total)

Eligibility

Students aged 13 years and older & parents & guardians

Requirements

Edvisors online registration

Apply

Link

No Essay Smart Owl Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

Four (4) winners monthly, 6 winners in December (50 annual winners)
$1,000 each ($50,000 total)

Eligibility

High school and college students aged 16 years and older
U.S. residents (excluding Michigan and Rhode Island)

Requirements

Email address

Apply

Link

Courage To Grow Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

One (1) winner monthly
$1,000 ($12,000 per year)

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
Minimum of 2.5 GPA

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Learner Math Lover Scholarship

Application Period

Ends September 16

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

500-word essay detailing why you love math

Apply

Link

Learner Calculus Scholarship

Application Period

Ends August 1

Award(s)

One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

500-word essay detailing why you think calculus is important in the STEM field

Apply

Link

Learner SAT Tutoring Scholarship

Application Period

Ends July 20

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school students

Requirements

500-word essay

Apply

Link

Learner Mental Health Empowerment for Health Students Scholarship

Application Period

Ends September 10

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay regarding mental health

Apply

Link

Delete Cyberbullying Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

Application Period

Ends June 30

Award(s)

Undisclosed number of winners
$1,000 per winner

Eligibility

High school, college, & graduate students

Requirements

500-word essay

Apply

Link

Delete Cyberbullying Beyond School Walls Scholarship

Application Period

Ends October 31

Award(s)

 Undisclosed number of winners
$1,000 per winner

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

500-word essay

Apply

Link

CollegeVine Dream School Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school students

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Edvisors $1,000 Scholarship

Application Period

Monthly

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Appily No-Essay Scholarship

Application Period

Ends November 2

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Finance Your Education No-Essay Scholarship

Application Period

Ends November 1

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students

Requirements

Online entry

Apply

Link

Redefining Victory Scholarship

Application Period

Ends April 1

Award(s)

 Eight (8) winners
$2,500 each ($20,000 total)

Eligibility

Any education level

Requirements

Submit a 2-minute video

Apply

Link

Joseph C. Lowe Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends May 1

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$600

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Demonstrate volunteering experience
Majoring in or intending to major in History

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Maxwell Tuan Nguyen Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends August 1

Award(s)

 Two (2) winners
$500 each ($1,000 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Studying in a medical field

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Marie Humphries Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends April 16

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$3,000

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Studying education or teaching

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Healing Self and Community Scholarship

Application Period

Ends November 11

Award(s)

 Two (2) winners
$500 each ($1,000 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
Identify as BIPOC

Requirements

100- to 250-word essay

Apply

Link

Bassed in PLUR Scholarship

Application Period

Ends December 14

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
Demonstrate interest in electronic music

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Bick First Generation Scholarship

Application Period

Ends December 31

Award(s)

 Six (6) winners
$5,000 each ($30,000 total)

Eligibility

High school students
First-generation college students

Requirements

300- to 500-word essay

Apply

Link

Aaryn Railyn King Foundation Scholarship

Application Period

Ends December 1

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Identify as an underrepresented minority
Major in healthcare or nursing

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Chi Changemaker Scholarship

Application Period

Ends May 1

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school students
Age 14-18
Minimum 3.5 GPA
Demonstrate volunteering or non-profit experience

Requirements

200- to 400-word essay

Apply

Link

Donovan Harpster “Called to Teach” Scholarship

Application Period

Ends February 11

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
First-generation college students
Aspiring Teacher

Requirements

5- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Future Green Leaders Scholarship

Application Period

Ends June 17

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
Major in business, environmental science, sustainability, or related field

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Rainbow Futures Scholarship

Application Period

Ends Jan 3

Award(s)

 Two (2) winners
$500 each ($1,000 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduates
Identify as LGBTQ+
Demonstrate financial need

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Matthew E. Minor Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends March 1

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors
Minimum 3.0 GPA

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Williams Foundation Trailblazer Scholarship

Application Period

Ends May 19

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$1,000

Eligibility

High school seniors
Identify as BIPOC
Demonstrate financial need
Minimum 2.5 GPA

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Ja-Tek Scholarship Award

Application Period

Ends January 3

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Minimum 3.5 GPA
Pursuing a four-year engineering degree

Requirements

200- to 500-word essay

Apply

Link

Environmental Kindness Scholarship

Application Period

Ends April 3

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$500

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
Pursuing environmental studies

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship

Application Period

Ends April 11

Award(s)

 Two (2) winners
$1,000 each ($2,000 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Background in sports, community service, or volunteering

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Community Health Ambassador Scholarship for Nursing Students

Application Period

Ends June 1

Award(s)

 One (1) winner
$3,000

Eligibility

High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students
Pursuing nursing

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

Bright Lights Scholarship

Application Period

Ends December 12

Award(s)

 Two (2) winners
$600 each ($1,200 total)

Eligibility

High school seniors and undergraduate students
Identify as an underrepresented minority or a first-generation college student

Requirements

400- to 600-word essay

Apply

Link

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