Thank you for subscribing!
Are you waiting until your senior year of high school to start applying for college scholarships? You’re missing out!
Many students don’t realize it, but you can start applying for scholarships as early as your freshman year of high school.
Starting early gives you more time to apply for a lot of scholarships.
Check out our list of 50 scholarships for high school freshmen and get started today.
The fastest path to earning scholarships
Simplify and focus your application process with the one-stop platform for vetted scholarships.
Check for scholarships50 scholarships for high school freshman for 2022
$1,000 Easy Scholarship: Ask a Grandparent or Older Adult to Share a Story
DoSomething.org sponsors this $1,000 scholarship for students under 26-years-old, including freshmen students. To apply, swap stories with an older adult to decrease isolation during COVID-19. Either call or video chat with an older adult and ask them to share a story with you.
The ‘A Voice for Animals Contest’ awards up to $500 to students between the ages of 14-18. To apply, submit an essay about animals.
Unigo awards the Fifth Month Scholarship to students 13 years of age and older. To apply, write a letter to the number five explaining why five is important. The award amount is $1,500.
Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship
The Scholarship Detective Launch Scholarship awards $1,000 to students, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out a short online application and share how you will use the scholarship.
The “Be Bold” No-Essay Community Scholarship
All students can apply for the “Be Bold” No-Essay Community Scholarship, including freshman students. To apply, sign up on Bold.org and invite your friends to join. The scholarship favors applicants who apply earlier. The award amount is $5,000.
Unigo’s Make Me Laugh Scholarship invites students above 13 years of age to apply. To apply, share a funny or embarrassing experience you’ve had that will make the scholarship judges laugh. The award amount is $1,500.
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
The Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship awards $1,000 to students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out a short form and explain why you will not text and drive.
Christian Colleges No-Essay Scholarship
The Christian Colleges No-Essay Scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. Applicants must be interested in attending a Christian college or university. The scholarship favors applicants who apply early. The award amount is $1,000.
CollegeXpress $10,000 Scholarship
The CollegeXpress Scholarship awards $10,000 to high school students, including freshman students. All you have to do is sign up and you are entered to win.
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship awards all high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, write a short response answering why you deserve to win the scholarship. You can also write about your academic or career goals. The award amount is $1,000.
High School Social Leaders Scholarship
Are you committed to making the world a better place? Write an essay about it for the High School Social Leaders Scholarship. The scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. The award amount is $1,000.
$1,000 Easy Scholarship: Take a Quiz to Prep for the Elections in Light of COVID-19
DoSomething.org sponsors this easy scholarship. All you have to do is take an online quiz to educate friends on the impact of COVID-19 on the upcoming elections. It takes less than 2 minutes to complete the quiz. The award amount is $1,000.
The I Have a Dream Scholarship awards students who are currently enrolled in college or will be enrolled by 2027. Applicants must be above 13 years of age. To apply, write a short essay on your dreams. The award amount is $1,500.
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
The JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, write an essay about a U.S. elected historical figure. The award amount is $10,000.
One Move Ahead Chess Scholarship
The One Move Ahead Chess Scholarships awards chess players of all ages. To apply, write an essay on your history as a chess player, what you’ve learned from chess, and what your life and career goals are. The award amount is $1,000.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Are you working to advance racial equality? Apply for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations. The scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. The award amount is $1,000.
Did you immigrate to the U.S. on or after January 1, 2010? Apply for the Recent Immigration Scholarship. To apply, write an essay on your background and how the U.S. compares to your home country. The award amount is $1,000.
Niche awards this $1,000 May Scholarship to high school and college students of all ages. To apply, create a free account. You can apply once a month.
ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Scholarship Program
The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship Program awards high school and college students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out the quick registration form. The award amount is $10,000.
Selectblinds $1,000 Scholarship
Do you have innovative ideas about window treatments? Apply for the Selectblind Scholarship. $1,000. The scholarship awards students of all ages, including freshmen students. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. To apply, you need to write a short essay. The award amount is $1,000.
Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship
The Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, submit a video about your passion in life. The award amount ranges from $5,000-$25,000.
Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship
The Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship awards students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, complete the application, and write a short message about technology addiction. Finalists will have to write a longer 500-1,000 word essay about technology addiction. The award amount is $1,000.
The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships
The Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships award high school students who are vegetarians or vegans, including freshmen students. There are two scholarships for $5,000 and one scholarship for $10,000.
Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship
The Unigo Flavor of the Month Scholarship awards students who will be in college by 2026. Applicants must be above 13 years of age. To apply, write a short essay on what ice cream flavor you would be. The award amount is $1,500.
Innovation in Education Scholarship
LaTutors sponsors this $500 scholarship to students in high school or college. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. You also must have designed an innovative project that makes a difference in the lives of others. To apply, submit an essay describing the goal of your project.
Comparing Anthem and The Fountainhead Contest – 8th, 9th and 10th Grade
The Ayn Rand Institute awards a scholarship to students in grades 8-10. To apply, write an essay comparing Anthem and The Fountainhead. The award is up to $2,000.
The Novo Nordisk Donnelly Award is open to students between 14-21 years of age. You must have diabetes and play tennis competitively or on your high school teams. The award amount is up to $8,000.
Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)
Optimist International awards this scholarship to students through grade 12. You must be deaf or hard of hearing. The award amount is $2,500.
DoSomething.org awards this $1,000. To apply, submit tips on how you’re getting through the COVID-19 outbreak. DoSomething will use your advice to create a new mental health guide for students.
$2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
Niche awards a $2,000 “No Essay” scholarship to students of all ages. To apply, create a free account.
$3,000 Easy Scholarship: Complete One Sports-Themed Challenge to Impact COVID-19 Timing
DoSomething.org awards this $3,000 scholarship to students. To apply, join the #oneteam challenge and complete one challenge to enter. The more challenges you complete, the more chances you have to win. Challenges include cheering on your community’s essential workers or serving as your #oneteam dream team captain by hosting an online sports practice or dance party.
Niche awards this $1,000 scholarship to current high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, take a survey on your high school.
The Jane Austen Society of North America awards up to $1,000 to students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, write an essay on a topic related to a work by Jane Austen.
Ocean Awareness Student Contest
‘From the Bow Seat’ awards up to $1,500 to middle and high school students. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 18. To apply, submit a piece of art, poetry, prose, film, or music according to a specific theme.
The Breakthrough Junior Challenge awards up to $250,000 to students between the ages of 13-18. To apply, make a short video explaining a big scientific idea in fundamental physics, life sciences, or mathematics.
The Digital Privacy Scholarship awards this scholarship to students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, fill out a short form and explain in under 140 characters how you’re taking responsibility for your digital profile. The award amount is $1,000.
The do-over scholarship awards $1,500 to students 13 years of age and older. To apply, fill out a short form and explain what you would do if you could turn back time.
The No Sweat Scholarship awards students 13 years of age and older. To apply, create a free ‘Cirkled In’ account. The award amount is $1,000.
The Scholarship Poetry Contest awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. The award amount is up to $500.
NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest
The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund Essay Contest invites high school students to submit an essay. You must write about what the second amendment means to you. Award amounts are up to $1,000.
Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest
The Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Contest awards students of all ages, including freshmen students. To apply, submit an original poem. Award amounts are up to $300.
The ‘We the Students Essay Contest’ invites students in grades 8-12 to apply. To apply, fill out the online application and write an essay on the given topic. Award amounts are up to $5,000.
High school students can apply for the Visionary Scholarship Program, including freshmen students. To apply, submit a copy of your most recent high school transcript and an essay on why college is important to you. The award amount is between $1,000-$5,000.
The H&R Block Budget Challenge awards high school students, including freshmen students. To apply, you must play an online game that simulates adult life in terms of financial literacy. Award amounts are $10,000.
AutoPets™ Out-of-the-Box Thinking Scholarship
Current high school students can apply for this scholarship, including freshmen students. To apply, write an essay about an innovative pet product idea.
Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest
The Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship awards students 14-years-old and older. To apply, design a greeting card using a photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic. The award amount is $10,000.
Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians
The Marine Band Concerto Competition awards high school musicians, including freshmen students. To apply, you must play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Submit a recommendation letter and an audio recording of your performance. There is a $500 award and a $2,500 award.
The Minecraft Scholarship awards high school and college students, including freshmen students. To apply, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Submit an essay on how Minecraft has a positive influence on education and career development. The award amount is $2,000.
Have you made a positive influence on the people in your community? Apply for the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The scholarship awards students between the ages of 8-18. Award amounts are $10,000.
Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program
The Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship program awards students ages 6-18. To apply, you must be nominated by an adult. There are awards for $1,000 and $5,000.
Final thoughts
It’s never too early to start applying for scholarships! Remember, the earlier you start applying, the more time you have to win money for college. Open a Google Doc, create a list of scholarships you want to apply for, and start applying today!
