Last updated on December 16, 2024

Exclusive Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2024

Apply below to College Freshmen scholarships with upcoming deadlines. Exclusive Scholarships found only in Bold.org!

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300 SCHOLARSHIPS
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  1. Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship

    Funded by
    Dr.Terence O. Hayes Sr.
    The Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship will support the academic endeavors of one student who has struggled with or has been impacted by someone who struggles with mental health.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$2,700
    Deadline:Jun 13, 2025
    One Click Apply
    1
  2. Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care

    Funded by
    Lance Lawson
    This scholarship seeks to support high school and undergraduate students who intend to spend their careers helping other people.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    • Field of Interest: Healthcare, social work, government, education or a related field
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Apr 15, 2025
    One Click Apply
    2
  3. Greg London Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    London Family
    This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Greg London by supporting students who have been affected by mental illness and is pursuing a career related to mental health.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
    • School Name: University of New Mexico
    • Background: Has been affected by mental illness and is pursuing a career related to mental health
    Amount:$5,550
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    3
  4. Servela Theodore Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Theodore Family
    This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Servela Theodore by supporting students who are pursuing careers in human services.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Gender: Female
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    • Desired Career Field: Human services
    • Background: Caribbean-descent
    Amount:$900
    Deadline:Nov 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    4
  5. Stephanie Staggers Curtis Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Stephanie's Perfect Gift
    This scholarship aims to support single mothers fron North Carolina or South Carolina who are balancing their education with their parental duties.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    • Identity: Single mother
    • State: South Carolina or North Carolina
    Amount:$1,130
    Deadline is Approaching! 14 days left
    One Click Apply
    5
  6. Jackanow Suicide Awareness Scholarship

    Funded by
    Max Jackanow
    This scholarship aims to support students who have lost someone to ease the burden of continuing college after the loss.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
    • Background: Has lost a loved one to suicide
    • School: University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, or Grand Canyon University
    Amount:$3,465
    Deadline:May 30, 2025
    One Click Apply
    6
  7. Lost Dreams Awaken Scholarship

    Funded by
    Benjamin Bozworth
    This scholarship aims to support a college student in recovery from substance abuse or alcohol.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Background: In recovery, clean for at least one year
    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate school student
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    7
  8. Sean Carroll's Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship

    Funded by
    Sean Carroll's Mindscape
    This scholarship seeks to support students who are interested in knowledge and understanding how the world works.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$20,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    8
  9. Maggie's Way- International Woman’s Scholarship

    Funded by
    David Gaskill
    This scholarship aims to honor Maggie’s life by supporting female students who have moved to the U.S. for their education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • Gender: Female
    • Background: International student in the U.S.
    Amount:$5,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 11 days left
    One Click Apply
    9
  10. Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Brian Schalk
    This scholarship will support a student who has been affected by mental illness.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
    • Background: Affected by mental illness, either personally or in the family
    Amount:$2,500
    Deadline is Approaching! 12 days left
    One Click Apply
    10
  11. CollegeVine Dream School Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship aims to simplify the college application process and help high school students get accepted to their dream colleges.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Must be a high school student
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 12 days left
    One Click Apply
    11
  12. CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bold.org
    This scholarship is perfect for students interested in college tips and resources.
    All students are eligible
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 12 days left
    One Click Apply
    12
  13. Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship

    Funded by
    Annabelle Attoh Thompson
    This scholarship exists to support one student studying geography, urban planning, or STEM.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Major: Geography, Urban Planning, & STEM
    Amount:$500
    Deadline is Approaching! 17 days left
    One Click Apply
    13
  14. Appalachian Region Vocational Scholarship

    Funded by
    Daelyn Chaney
    This scholarship will support a student in the Appalachian region who is pursuing a career in STEM.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate
    • Type of Education: Trade or vocational
    • State: Kentucky, West Virginia, or Virginia
    • Major/Career of Interest: STEM
    • Background: First generation college student
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline is Approaching! 23 days left
    One Click Apply
    14
  15. Boyd J. Cameron Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Cameron
    This scholarship will support first generation college students pursuing a career in business.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate
    • GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Background: First generation college student
    • Major: Business
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Feb 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    15
  16. Larry Darnell Green Scholarship

    Funded by
    Gloria Green
    This scholarship aims to honor Larry’s legacy by helping single parents or the children of single parents afford their college education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • Family: Single parent or the child of a single parent
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Feb 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    16
  17. Lotus Scholarship

    Funded by
    Fiona Chen
    This scholarship will support BIPOC students who are from low-income backgrounds or have been raised in single-parent households.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
    • Race/Ethnicity: BIPOC
    • Background: Low-income or raised by a single parent
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Feb 04, 2025
    One Click Apply
    17
  18. Patricia Ann Whelan Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Whelan Family
    This scholarship will support an education major in honor of Patricia Ann Whelan.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Current School: Marywood College or Michigan State University
    • Major: Education
    • Education Level: Undergraduate
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Feb 12, 2025
    One Click Apply
    18
  19. Manuela Calles Scholarship for Women

    Funded by
    Dr. Sandra Calles
    This scholarship seeks to support young women in college who are pursuing careers in mental health or business.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
    • Gender: Female
    • Field of Study: Pursuing mental health or business
    • GPA: 2.5 or greater
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Feb 13, 2025
    One Click Apply
    19
  20. Allison Thomas Swanberg Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Swanberg
    This scholarship aims to continue Allison Thomas Swanberg’s legacy of helping students achieve their educational goals.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
    • GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • State: Colorado
    • Background: Community service and/or volunteering experience
    Amount:$1,500
    Deadline:Feb 14, 2025
    One Click Apply
    20
  21. Moriah Janae Dance Scholarship

    Funded by
    Kendra Royster
    This scholarship seeks to provide financial assistance in order to make college more accessible and help dancers follow their passion.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Field of Study: Dance
    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    Amount:$1,280
    Deadline:Feb 14, 2025
    One Click Apply
    21
  22. Jerry Garrett and Starlinne Sullivan Memorial EMS Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lillian Lee
    This scholarship aims to support students in Alabama who are pursuing careers as first responders or as nurses.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • State: Alabama
    • Field of Interest: Nursing or EMS
    • Education Level: Undergraduate student
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Feb 14, 2025
    One Click Apply
    22
  23. Kerry Kennedy Life Is Good Scholarship

    Funded by
    Amy Wise
    This scholarship will honor the accomplishments of Kerry Kennedy and help support a female student pursuing a degree in education, public service, or social work.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school junior or senior or undergraduate
    • Gender: Female
    • Major: Education, public service, or social work
    • Age: 18 or older
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Mar 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    23
  24. Jessie Koci Future Entrepreneurs Scholarship

    Funded by
    Koci Family
    This scholarship celebrates Jessie Koci’s achievements by seeking out others cut from a similar cloth who seek to carve their own path by starting their own business.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or freshman in college
    • Career Goal: Future entrepreneur
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Mar 01, 2025
    One Click Apply
    24
  25. Hearts on Sleeves, Minds in College Scholarship

    Funded by
    Payal Mehta
    This scholarship seeks to support BIPOC students with big dreams for the future so they can afford to pursue higher education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • GPA: 3.0 or higher
    • Financial Status: Low-income
    • Race: Black/Native American
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Mar 04, 2025
    One Click Apply
    25
  26. RJ Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Kachina Edmisten
    This scholarship aims to honor the life of RJ by supporting students in Arkansas who are pursuing higher education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
    • State: Arkansas
    • Religion: Christian
    • GPA: 2.0 or higher
    Amount:$1,500
    Deadline:Mar 11, 2025
    One Click Apply
    26
  27. Keith Simmons Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Bjorn Simmons
    The Keith Simmons Memorial Scholarship aims to honor Keith Simmons by supporting students at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate
    • Ethnicity: African American
    • Institution: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Mar 15, 2025
    One Click Apply
    27
  28. Beatrice Diaz Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Lisa Truppa
    This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of Beatrice Diaz by supporting students who are passionate about pursuing degrees in business administration or education.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
    • State: Texas
    • Field of Study: Education or business administration
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Mar 15, 2025
    One Click Apply
    28
  29. Dylan's Journey Memorial Scholarship

    Funded by
    Dylan Prosser
    This scholarship will support one student in high school, undergraduate, or graduate school student who has Neurofibromatosis (NF) and/or a learning disability of any variety.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Education Level: High school, undergraduate, graduate
    • Disability: Learning Disability: ADHD, NF, Dyslexia, etc.
    Amount:$1,000
    Deadline:Mar 21, 2025
    One Click Apply
    29
  30. Haywood Reed Jr. Well Being Scholarship

    Funded by
    Ashanta Gleason
    This scholarship aims to support high school students in Louisiana who are advocates for mental wellness.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • State: LA
    • GPA: 2.5 or higher
    • Education Level: Undergraduate, High school junior or senior
    Amount:$500
    Deadline:Mar 24, 2025
    One Click Apply
    30
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About scholarships for college freshmen

For students who are just starting their college journey, it can be difficult to navigate academics and extracurriculars, but the most difficult part for many students is the cost of education.

While the costs of an education depend on the kind of school you go to, the average college tuition cost in 2021 was $35,331 for undergraduate and graduate students per year. From 1985 to 2017, the average cost of a four-year college or university rose by a whopping 497%.

Attending college in this day and age means spending almost five times more on your college education than you would have 30 years ago. This change in the cost of higher education often leads students to take out large amounts of student loan debt. In 2020, 55% of bachelor’s degree recipients took out student loans. On average, undergraduate students took out $28,400 in federal and private debt.

For students who don't want to rely on student loans to fund their education, scholarships can be a great option. There are approximately 7.1 million private scholarships awarded each year, with the total value of those scholarships in the $7.5 billion range. While pursuing higher education, scholarships offer additional financial support to those who may be struggling.

Scholarships are often funded by private organizations, individuals, or companies to help current college students, recent graduates, or even high school students with the financial burdens of higher education. Unlike student loans, scholarships for college freshmen are a form of gift aid that doesn't need to be repaid. With tuition costs continuing to rise, scholarships are becoming more critical than ever.

On Bold.org, we have plenty of scholarships offered for college freshmen, including those listed above.

Scholarships for college freshmen to apply for

College freshmen and other college students are able to apply for plenty of scholarships on Bold.org. Whether you demonstrate amazing academic achievement or are part of a specific demographic group, there are plenty of scholarships that college freshmen can apply for. You can get started by clicking on any of the opportunities below!

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for college freshmen

How can I find scholarships for college freshmen?

To find scholarships for college freshmen on Bold.org, you can use the search function on the website. In order to find scholarships specifically for college freshmen, you can filter the scholarships by education level. By choosing the "undergraduate" category, you can see scholarships for students who attend college.

In order to find more specific scholarships, you can also filter the scholarships by specific categories. Some scholarships require a certain minimum GPA and others are for first-generation students, international students, or other underrepresented identities. In order to find the right scholarship opportunities for you, college students can easily search on Bold.org

How can I apply for scholarships for college freshmen?

Once you've found a specific scholarship that applies to college freshmen, you can begin to apply. To apply for scholarships, create your free Bold.org profile. Then, click on any of the scholarships above and apply. Some scholarships may require you to write an essay before you apply, in which case you may need to spend more time on your application.

By applying for scholarships earlier, you can guarantee that you are able to apply for a wide range of scholarships. Additionally, applying for more than one scholarship often helps your chances of winning. Apply to any scholarships you are eligible for to give yourself the greatest chances of winning financial aid. No-essay scholarships are some of the easiest college scholarships to apply for due to the quick application process.

When applying for scholarships, make sure that you check the eligibility requirements. Some scholarships may require students to live in a certain location in order to apply. Additionally, some scholarships may be for specific demographics and identities while other scholarships seek out applicants who display academic merit or financial need.

You should also consider whether the scholarship you're applying to has an essay or not. If you are a strong writer or have a unique story, the essay can be a great way to make your application stand out.

When should a college freshman start applying for scholarships?

While there are many scholarships for high school and college students alike, you should apply for scholarships as early as you can. Many students start their scholarship search early on in high school or as high school seniors, but there are also many opportunities for college students.

The earlier you begin applying, the better! You can start in the summer after your senior year of high school to get a head start. Certain scholarships only apply to high school students, but don't worry if you haven't started yet! Many college students are just starting their search, and there are plenty of scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Can high school seniors get scholarships for their freshman year of college?

Absolutely! Most scholarships for college freshmen are awarded between your senior year in high school and freshman year in college, so be sure to start the scholarship search and apply early.

Senior year is a popular time to begin applying for scholarships as many students are making their college decisions and receiving their financial aid packages. As a result, many donors fund scholarships specifically for high school seniors. If you haven't graduated high school yet, check out this list of scholarships for high school seniors!

Should undergraduate and graduate students apply for federal aid?

One of the easiest forms of financial aid a student may receive is a grant from the federal student aid program. You can apply by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which provides more than $120 billion in financial aid to help college students pay for college or career school each year. Many students with financial need receive Pell Grants from the US government, but with a maximum award amount of $6,495 per year, scholarships are often needed to cover the remaining costs.

What are the easiest scholarships for college freshmen to win?

Using a scholarship program like Bold.org can help bridge this financial gap between federal aid and your actual educational costs. The scholarships with the least competition will be the easiest to win, so seek out niche scholarship awards with fewer eligible applicants to have the greatest chance of winning.

For example, a scholarship for Hispanic students who demonstrate academic excellence and are pursuing an undergraduate degree in computer science would have a smaller eligible applicant pool than a scholarship open to all students.

What other scholarships should college students consider?

Busy college students should apply for scholarships that do not require an essay response, which can be beneficial if you are in a time crunch. While these no-essay scholarships generally have more competition and are more difficult to win as a result, they're typically the easiest to apply for.

While you should also consider essay scholarships to increase your chances of winning, no-essay scholarships can be a great way to boost the number of scholarships you're a contender for without burdening yourself with more essays to write. Bold.org offers a plethora of no-essay scholarships, which can be found here.

Have additional questions? Send us an email at contact@bold.org.

Frequently Asked Questions