Exclusive Scholarships for College Freshmen in 2026

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!

• Isaac Yunhu Lee Memorial Arts Scholarship
• Anne DiSerafino Memorial Arts Scholarship
• Artists and Writers in the Community Scholarship
• Mary P. Perlea Scholarship Fund
• Stride Funding Affordable Tuition Scholarship
• WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship
• Juno Better Rates No-Essay Scholarship
• Toluna Influencers No-Essay Scholarship
• ¡A Buena Amistad! No-Essay Scholarship
• William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship
• @ESPDaniella Debt Grant
• Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship
• #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship

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.