As I prepare for college, I'm curious about what grants and scholarships are targeted specifically at first-year students. Are there opportunities for freshmen that I should know about before applying?
Absolutely, there are numerous scholarships and grants that target incoming first-year college students, which can be broadly divided into three primary categories: merit-based, need-based, and other special criteria scholarships.
1. Merit-Based Scholarships: These are often offered by colleges themselves and are based on your academic or extracurricular achievements. Certain national organizations, like the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, also offer merit-based scholarships.
2. Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: These are often determined based on the data from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Pell Grant, for instance, is a prominent federal grant for students with demonstrated financial need.
3. Special Criteria Scholarships: These could include scholarships for first-generation students, students pursuing particular fields of study, scholarships based on ethnicity, community service, leadership, and more. Examples include the Coca-Cola Scholars Program and the Gates Scholarship.
You can typically find such scholarships and grants on college financial aid websites and through online scholarship databases, including Appily, which is a useful tool for narrowing down opportunities based on your unique profile. However, it’s important to start applying as early as possible as some scholarships have early deadlines.
Remember, scholarships and grants do not have to be repaid, making them a great way to reduce the financial strain of college. Every bit can help, so don’t neglect this part of your college planning process.
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