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

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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:

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

Top 48 Scholarships for College Freshmen in January 2021

Top scholarships for college freshmen students in 2021

Tips for College Freshmen applying for scholarships

Summary of scholarships:

Expired, but returning next year:

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