How do I find scholarships for college freshmen?

I’ll be starting college as a freshman soon and I’m trying to find scholarships available for freshmen. Do any scholarships cater specifically to incoming college students rather than upperclassmen?

There are indeed several scholarships available that are targeted specifically for incoming college students or first-year college students. These scholarships can be a mixture of merit-based, need-based, or targeted towards specific demographics, majors, or involvements.

If you're looking for scholarships within the university itself, you can typically find these on the school's financial aid page or departmental pages. For instance, some colleges offer scholarships for freshmen who have excelled in high school or who fall under a certain income bracket.

There are many external scholarships that are open to high school seniors and incoming college freshmen as well. A few examples include the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, AXA Achievement Scholarship, and the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program. These scholarships are generally highly competitive but offer considerable rewards.

For more specific scholarships, you could use scholarship search platforms, such as FastWeb, Scholarships.com, or Appily to find scholarships that apply to your individual circumstances. These platforms will match you with scholarships based on the information you provide, including your major, interests, background and other factors.

Additionally, for any community involvement or organizations you've been a part of, check if they offer any scholarships for new college students. Local businesses, community foundations, and not-for-profit organizations often provide scholarships for local students.

Remember, it's important to apply for as many scholarships as possible to increase your chances of getting them, and be aware of the deadlines, they can sneak up quickly!