Top 48 Scholarships for College Freshmen in January 2021
Scholarships are not only for high school students. There are many top scholarships available for college freshmen. We know that freshman year of college is a year of many transitions for students: a new school, tougher classes, and more independence. Freshman year of college is also when your tuition bills start.
While most college freshmen are busy with college life and academics, taking some time to apply for the available scholarships for college freshmen can get you ahead of the game!
Jump ahead to:
- Top Scholarships for College Freshmen
- Tips for College Freshmen
- Summary of scholarships
- Expired scholarships
One of the best ways to reduce your student loan burden and graduate with little (or no) debt, is through scholarships. Keep on reading to find and win scholarships!
Top scholarships for college freshmen students in 2021
$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
- Eligibility: Create a free account on CollegeXpress and complete registration
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: May 1, 2021
$1,000 Tallo “Create Your Dream 2021” Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school and college students who set up a Tallo profile
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship
- Eligibility: College freshmen
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: January 31
$10,000 ScholarshipPointsScholarship Program
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: End of each month
$2,000 CollegeXpress Community Service Scholarship for Multicultural Students
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to students who will be college freshmen in the fall
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 1st of each year
Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: All high school, college, and graduate students are eligible for this scholarship!
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: June 30, 2021
$25,000 “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all students, including high school, college, and graduate students
- Amount: $25,000
- Deadline: January 31
$1,000 Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all students ranging from high school students to college and community college students.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
Act Locally Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school and undergraduates with an interest in volunteering or working to better their local community through social, environmental, or economic change
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 1, 2021
Amplify Green Innovation Scholarship
- Eligibility: The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate school students in any field of study who are dedicated to preserving our planet through green innovation and science.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 1, 2021
Ascent Social Cause Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and 18 years or older who share about how they support their communities
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 15
“Be Bold” No-Essay Community Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students who register to Bold.org and has invited many friends
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: November 19, 2021
Big Sun Scholarship
- Eligibility: Student athletes who are high school seniors or in college
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: June 19, 2021
Billy Welu Scholarship
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to college students who combine outstanding bowling talents with academic excellence
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 21, 2021
Cyrus Artisan Rugs Scholarship
- Eligibility: Current or incoming undergraduate students who is currently enrolled, or about to enroll, in an interior design or similar course
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: February 8, 2021
Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all students at every level of education who write a short essay about mental health
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: May 31, 2021
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at every level of education who write a short essay about mental health
- Amount: $905
- Deadline: June 13, 2021
Galactic Fed Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school and college students who are entrepreneurial self-starters
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 2, 2021
Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
- Eligibility: 9th-12th grade high school, college, or graduate students, including adult students
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 31, 2021
Great Outdoors Wilderness Education Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students who have incorporated the outdoors into their education, worldviews, and career goals in some meaningful way
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 1, 2021
Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to college, undergraduate and graduate students in the USA
- Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: May 1, 2021
Grow the Game Volleyball Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at all educational levels who demonstrate passion, achievement, and leadership efforts in growing the game of volleyball
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: March 31, 2021
HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled (or planning to) as a high school senior, or in a community college, undergraduate, graduate, technical college, or vocational program
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: Deadlines are as follows: Winter: April 16, Spring: July 17, Summer: October 14, and Fall: January 15 at 11:59 p.m. PST of each year
Hustle Tech & Business News No-Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all undergraduate and graduate students who sign up for the Hustle free daily newsletter and share what they learned.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
John J. DiPietro COME OUT STRONG Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to to high school seniors who will attend college in 2021 and current undergraduate students in any field of study. Writing an essay about how a role-model influenced you required.
- Amount: $2,100
- Deadline: May 31, 2021
Jones T-Shirts “Love Your Career” Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 10 and September 10
Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship — College Award
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate or graduate level single moms, children of single moms, or people whose lives have been impacted in positive ways by single moms
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: July 1, 2021
Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Eligibility: High seniors, college students, and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in health, wellness, or fitness
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: August 1, 2021
Nikhil Desai Asian-American Experience Scholarship
- Eligibility: All Asian-American (including Middle Eastern) students who are juniors in high school or older are eligible to apply. First-generation applicants will be preferred. An essay about growing up Asian-American is required
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 1, 2021
Nikhil Desai “Perspective” Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at all levels of education who submit an essay about a moment that changed their perspective on life. Preference given to first generation students
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: February 1, 2021
One Move Ahead Chess Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at every level who submits an essay about how the game of chess has influenced their life
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 29, 2021
Penny Hoarder Smart Money Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all college and graduate students who sign up for the Penny Hoarder Daily newsletter and then share how they applied what they learned to their personal finances
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
Probo Medical Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school, college, and graduate students with a 3.0 or above GPA who submit an essay about medical technology and the future
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: January 15 and June 15
Selectblinds $1,000 Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school, college, or university students with a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 15, 2021
Share Your Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at every level who create a TikTok video about what a great day at their dream job would be like
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
Shout it Out Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be a college or community college student by the fall of 2025
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: September 30, 2021
Smart Borrower No-Essay Scholarship & Loan Forgiveness Grant
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: January 31
Solar Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors, college and graduate students with an interest in solar energy
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 1, 2021
Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No-Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all students who join Survey Junkie to share opinions on products and services
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students between the ages of 16 and 26 who submit a video entry about their life’s passion
- Amount: $5,000 to $25,000 per year
- Deadline: January 20, 2021
Taylor Price Financial Literacy for the Future Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school and college students who submit an essay. Applicants from minority groups underrepresented in the financial world and those with non-profit or volunteering experience will be preferred
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 14, 2021
Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled or will be enrolled in college by 2026 who write a short essay.
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: July 31, 2021
WayUp $1,000 Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students who share passion and vision for diversity and inclusion
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 1, 2021
WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all undergraduate and graduate students who create amazing job candidate profiles on the WayUp platform
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: January 31
Yifan Zhu “Late Night” Scholarship
- Eligibility: Low-income undergraduate students who submit an essay about how their experiences outside of the classroom contribute to their college experience, skills, and career goals
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: February 2, 2021
Zest for Cooking Culinary Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at every level who are pursuing a culinary career or are extremely passionate about cooking
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 1, 2021

Tips for College Freshmen applying for scholarships
- Scholarships are not just for high school students! College students (including college freshmen) can and should be applying for scholarships.
- If you receive need-based financial aid from your college you will need to renew your FAFSA each year. This will ensure that you continue to qualify for need-based aid including grants, student loans, and work study.
- Some renewable merit scholarships (both from private organizations and your college) will require a specific GPA or number of credits to renew the scholarship. Keep this in mind and maintain a strong academic record!
- Work study jobs or other part time jobs can be a great way to earn money (either for spending or for putting towards tuition).
Summary of scholarships:
- $1,000 Tallo “Create Your Dream 2021” Scholarship
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship
- $10,000 Scholarship ScholarshipPoints Program
- $10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
- $2,000 CollegeXpress Community Service Scholarship for Multicultural Students
- Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship
- $25,000 “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
- $1,000 Cappex Easy College Money Scholarship
- Act Locally Scholarship
- Amplify Green Innovation Scholarship
- Ascent Social Cause Scholarship
- “Be Bold” No-Essay Community Scholarship
- Big Sun Scholarship
- Billy Welu Scholarship
- Cyrus Artisan Rugs Scholarship
- Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
- Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
- Galactic Fed Young Entrepreneurs Scholarship
- Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
- Great Outdoors Wilderness Education Scholarship
- Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship
- Grow the Game Volleyball Scholarship
- HireAHelper Skilled Trade & Technology Scholarships
- Hustle Tech & Business News No-Essay Scholarship
- John J. DiPietro COME OUT STRONG Scholarship
- Jones T-Shirts “Love Your Career” Scholarship
- Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship — College Award
- Low-Income Student Scholarship
- Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship
- Nikhil Desai Asian-American Experience Scholarship
- Nikhil Desai “Perspective” Scholarship
- One Move Ahead Chess Scholarship
- Penny Hoarder Smart Money Scholarship
- Probo Medical Scholarship
- Selectblinds $1000 Scholarship
- Share Your Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship
- Shout it Out Scholarship
- Smart Borrower No-Essay Scholarship & Loan Forgiveness Grant
- Solar Scholarship
- Survey Junkie Brand Influencer No-Essay Scholarship
- Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
- Taylor Price Financial Literacy for the Future Scholarship
- Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship
- WayUp $1,000 Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
- WayUp Dream Job No-Essay Scholarship
- WiseGeek Life Isn’t Easy Scholarship
- Yifan Zhu “Late Night” Scholarship
- Zest for Cooking Culinary Scholarship
Expired, but returning next year:
10X Digital Marketing Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students and high school seniors pursuing a career in digital marketing
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: December 1
Angelica Song Rejection is Redirection Scholarship
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to students at all levels who have experienced rejection, and used it as redirection
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: December 11
Annual Black Entrepreneurship Grant
- Eligibility: Open to current or aspiring Black entrepreneurs undergraduate or graduate students across any field or business stage
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: December 1
Austin Kramer Music Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students at all levels who share an inspiring song, curate a 10-20 track playlist, and then submit a paragraph (under 100 words) explaining your playlist.
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: January 2, 2021
Bellhops Moving Forward Scholarship
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to high school seniors and college students who submit an essay about the importance/impact of their major
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: September 15
Black Students in Public Health Grant
- Eligibility: Open to black undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a career in any area of public health
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: November 1
codePost Computer Science Education Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students who advance computer science at their schools.
- Amount: up to $500
- Deadline: June 30
Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors, college students, community college students, or graduate students who write an essay about cyberbullying
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 30
Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarships
- Eligibility: All high school and college students with at least a 2.5 GPA who share their ideas to fight childhood hunger
- Amount: $1,000 to 3,000
- Deadline: Varies, but most are December 11
El Cafe Del Futuro Scholarship
- Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students of Latino descent
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: July 6
Frontline Heroes Nursing Grant
- Eligibility: Awarded to an aspiring or current nurse to aid with the cost of their tuition or student loans. Current nursing students, recent nursing graduates, or aspiring nursing students are all eligible to apply
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: October 25
Future Designer Scholarship
- Eligibility: To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be an incoming (graduating high school senior) or college student who designs a holiday greeting card
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: November 1
GraphicDesignDegreeHub.com Creativity Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors accepted to college and undergraduate students in the USA majoring in Graphic Design
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: July 31
Little Bundle Superdad Scholarship — College Award
- Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate level students who are either single fathers or are the children of single fathers are eligible to apply
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: January 1, 2021
Low-Income Student Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school and undergraduate students who are classified as low-income. An essay on what your greatest achievement taught you is required
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: November 10
Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to minority students who are high school seniors or currently attending college. Applicants must be interested in studying criminal justice.
- Amount: Up to $2,000
- Deadline: June 1
Philosophy Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all undergraduate and graduate students studying philosophy.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: May 22
Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students
- Amount: $3,500 and $5,000
- Deadline: February 29
Scholarcash Role Model Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to all high school, college, and graduate students who submit any essay about role models
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: December 1
Scholarship America Dream Award
- Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in higher education programs (two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school)
- Amount: Winners receive awards ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. Awards are renewable up to three additional years or until a first bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of full-time enrollment, satisfactory academic performance, and availability of funding. Each year of eligible renewal, the award will increase by $1,000.
- Deadline: October 15
Straight North STEM Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students studying a STEM subject.
- Amount: up to $1,000
- Deadline: August 1
Ted Rollins Eco Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate students and high school seniors planning on earning a business or sustainability degree
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: December 1
Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
- Eligibility: College students
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 15 and November 15
Upakar Indian-American Scholarship
- Eligibility: High-achieving high school and college students with financial need
- Amount: $8,000
- Deadline: May 15
WiseGeek Life Isn’t Easy Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to college students at every level who have faced difficult circumstances head-on and come out stronger for it.
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: October 30
WomenIn Scholarship
- Eligibility: Females college students who plan on entering the video gaming industry
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: May 31