Top 15 Freshman Scholarships for Admitted Students in 2025

Are you looking to get major financial aid for college? Don’t know where to begin? In 2025, lots of top scholarships can help with your school goals.

We’ll check out the best 15 scholarships for students admitted in 2025. These offer between $700 and a big $40,000 in scholarship awards. They’re for students in STEM, arts, humanities, or other areas. These scholarships give merit-based and need-based funds to help with your college¹².

Key Takeaways

• Explore the most prestigious scholarships for 2025, offering a mix of merit-based and need-based funds.
• Total number of scholarships available for students: 300.
• Highest scholarship amount is $40,000 (Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship).
• Scholarships are available across various fields such as STEM, arts, and humanities.
• Three scholarships are specifically aimed at supporting women in their scholarship applications.¹².
• Key criteria for eligibility could include GPA requirements, state residency, artistic talent, or financial need¹³.

Introduction to Freshman Scholarships for Fall 2025

Scholarships in 2025 are meant to support your college dreams without the worry of money. These grants are vital as college costs keep rising. They help pay for tuition, books, and living, making college more doable.

The University of Evansville has scholarships for new students in fall 2025 or spring 2026. These are based on your past GPA. They offer $18,000 to $27,000, depending on your grades⁴. Nursing students might get the $25,000 National Need for Nursing Scholarship⁴. Also, the University of Evansville supports veterans with the Yellow Ribbon Program⁴.

Gustavus Adolphus College promises scholarships for all new, full-time students. This is through the Gustie Guarantee⁵. Each student can get at least $120,000 over four years, or $30,000 yearly⁵.

The college has several scholarships like the Gold ($25,000 yearly) and up to the Excellence ($40,000 yearly)⁵. These scholarships last up to four years if you keep meeting the criteria⁵.

Knowing about these chances can make college less worrying. With grants and scholarships, you can focus on learning, not on costs. So, looking into all funding options is key to your future.

Gates Millennium Scholarship

The Gates Millennium Scholarship is a top honor, giving full financial aid to top students. Every year, it picks 1,000 students, mainly from minority groups, to help. Since starting in 2000, it has given out over $1.2 billion⁶⁷.

Sponsor

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funds the Gates Millennium Scholarship. This well-known charity works to improve health and education worldwide. It aims to boost top-notch education and leader training, making the scholarship highly respected⁷.

Details

Scholars get a full ride that pays for tuition, housing, meals, travel, and more for a four-year degree⁶. From 2000 to 2014, the average award was about $12,785⁷. Most scholars stay in the program, with 96.2% staying on after their first year⁷

About 37.5% of them go on to grad school after their undergrad degree⁷.

Criteria

Applicants need a 3.3 GPA, leadership skills, and to have done community work⁶. They must need a Pell grant and can’t have other big scholarships or family money⁶. The process picks 2,000 semifinalists, then 600, and finally 300 winners⁶. With a focus on students of color, the program aims to build leaders and achievers⁷.

National Merit Scholarship

The National Merit Scholarship is a top merit-based scholarship in the US. It helps high-achieving students by paying for college, including tuition and books. They use your PSAT/NMSQT scores to decide who gets it⁸.

Every October, students begin the competition by taking the PSAT⁸. By April, eligibility is checked by high schools⁸. In September, they tell students if they’ve made it further. By the next February, some find out if they’re Finalists⁸. Winners are announced in March⁸.

Schools like the University of Tulsa and Miami University promise scholarships to top participants⁸. Alabama offers special awards for local Semi-Finalists⁸. Christian liberal arts fans can get help from Harding University. The money offered ranges from $500 to $75,000⁹.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) stands out for having many National Merit Scholars¹⁰. Out-of-state Finalists get an amazing package from UCF if they choose it as their top pick. It’s worth over $100,000 over four years¹⁰. UCF houses over 340 of these smart students, making for an impressive group¹⁰.

The National Merit Scholarship plays a big role in supporting brilliant students on their academic paths. Whether it’s through state scholarships or big awards from famous schools, these national scholarships celebrate and support hard work in school.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program helps students with great grades, leadership skills, and love for helping others.

High school seniors who are doing really well can try for this amazing award. Let’s dive into what makes this program special:

Sponsor

This program is backed by the Coca-Cola Company, a big name in drinks. They want to help young leaders shine and do well in school. So far, they’ve helped nearly 6,600 students become their best selves¹¹. Each year, they support over 1,400 students in college¹².

Details

Every year, 150 seniors win a $20,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Program¹²¹¹. They give out $3.4 million in scholarships every year¹². There are also Gold, Silver, and Bronze scholarships for community college students¹². Plus, 180 students get $1,000 each from the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise¹².

Applying is tough. You need good grades, a story about your leadership, and a list of your accomplishments¹³. The deadline for the next cycle ends on September 30, 2024, then starts again on August 1, 2025¹²¹¹. Those who win get to go to special events and a leadership summit every five years¹³.

Criteria

To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen or have a right to live here¹¹¹³. You also need to be a senior in high school with at least a 3.0 GPA¹²¹³. If your family works or has worked for Coca-Cola, you can’t apply¹¹¹³.

Winners are top-notch students who lead and help out a lot in their communities. They join over 6,900 alumni doing great things world-wide¹¹. They have 4 to 10 years to use their scholarship money. This can be for tuition, a place to live on campus, a computer, or books¹².

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is amazing because it helps students do well in school and become leaders. It encourages them to really make a difference in their communities.

Dell Scholars Program

The Dell Scholars Program gives scholarships to students who need money for college but are eager to succeed. It picks 500 students each year. They each get $20,000 to help pay for college¹⁴.

This helps students who deserve it get the support they need.

Aside from money, Dell Scholars also get a top-notch Dell laptop and money for books for four years¹⁴. They need to have at least a 2.4 GPA and get a federal Pell Grant in their first college year¹⁴. This makes sure the help goes to students who really need it.

The Dell Scholars Program starts taking applications on October 1, 2024. The last day to apply is December 1, 2024¹⁵. Semi-finalists hear back by December 10, 2024, and have until January 27, 2025, to send more info¹⁵. They’ll announce the winners on March 18, 2025¹⁵. This schedule lets students get ready well in advance.

The Dell Scholars Program really stands out because of how much it helps students. Besides money and laptops, scholars get to use the Scholars Resource Network. It offers help with stress, managing money, and mental health, including teletherapy¹⁶.

This makes sure students not only start college but do well all through school and after.

Since starting in 2004, the program has helped over 5,000 students. More than 2,000 of them finished college¹⁶. This shows how well the program works at helping students from families with less money succeed in college.

Students must have been in a college readiness program in high school to apply¹⁴. The program cares more about a student’s drive and preparation than just their SAT or ACT scores¹⁵. This makes the Dell Scholars Program a great chance for many students to make their dreams of college come true.

Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship

Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship is here to help students curious about the universe. It’s for all students, no matter what they study. Scholarships for all students like this one are special.

Sponsor

The scholarship comes from Sean Carroll, a known cosmologist and science talker. Thanks to him, students from all walks of life can get money for school.

Details

Sean Carroll’s scholarship gives away $40,000 to students who think¹⁷ about big ideas. Each year, two lucky students can win. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024¹⁸.

The scholarship is open to many subjects like physics and art¹⁸. It’s for both academic scholarships and questions about life and the universe.

Criteria

To get this scholarship, you should come from a group not well represented in college or be the first in your family to go to college¹⁸. They made the application easy to fill out and find online¹⁸.

Sean Carroll’s scholarship is different because it gives a lot of money and helps understand our world better.

Special Delivery of Dreams Scholarship

The Special Delivery of Dreams Scholarship helps non-traditional students. These are students over 24 who balance home, work, and school¹⁹. It gives support to these students, recognizing their diverse educational paths.

Non-traditional students might not have a traditional high school diploma. They could be single parents or work full-time while studying¹⁹. This scholarship supports their hard work and goals, offering help for vocational and trade studies.

Two main types of scholarship opportunities exist. One is merit-based for those with great academic or skill records. The other is need-based, for those who really need financial help¹⁹.

Websites like BFFS Scholar Quest provide these scholarships, helping students achieve their dreams¹⁹.

Trade school scholarships support students in specialized fields. They help students manage school, work, and personal life. Also, students can get many scholarships, possibly covering all tuition costs¹⁹.

Some scholarships are very important for trade and vocational students. For example, the NCEF Tuition Assistance Scholarships offer financial help. They set deadlines early to help with planning²⁰. There are also special scholarship programs like the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund and the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. They have a big impact¹⁹.

This kind of scholarship is more than money; it’s an investment in future leaders. By helping with education, they help students succeed and achieve their dreams.

Scholarships for Admitted Students 2025

Getting a scholarship in 2025 can make college costs much easier to handle. It’s key to know about the different scholarships out there. And to learn the best ways to get these awards for your school journey.

Overview

Many top schools offer scholarships for new students. These can give you from $500 to a big $80,000, based on what they ask for²¹²². The MTSU Freshman DREAM Scholarship gives $2,000 every year for up to four years. This is if you have an SAI of 9,000 or less on the FAFSA²¹.

For those with great grades or test scores, the Centennial Scholarship gives $8,000. You need ACT scores between 34-36 and a GPA of 3.5²¹.

At Western Kentucky University, you need a 3.0 GPA to get their scholarships. They offer between $1,000 and $7,500 each year²³.

Also, the BMI Student Composer Award can give up to $20,000²². These scholarships show how important it is to find the right ones for you. And to apply in a smart way.

Application Tips

To apply well, you need to know how the process works. Here are some tips to guide you:

• Meet Deadlines: Make sure all your papers are in before the due dates. Some scholarships, like incoming freshman ones, need everything by December 1, 2024²¹.
• Highlight Strengths: Talk about your good grades, leadership, and clubs. The Buchanan Fellowship wants a 30 ACT (or 1360 SAT) and a 3.5 GPA, with 20 awards each year²¹.
• Maintain GPA: To keep your scholarship, you must keep your grades up. WKU asks for a 2.5 average to renew scholarships for 8 semesters²³.
• Diversify Applications: Apply to many scholarships to boost your chances. Options like the Opportunity Scholarship for Locked-Out Dreamers are great²².
• Financial Need Consideration: Some look at your financial need, like the MT Diversity Scholarship. It gives $500 to $2,000 based on your grades, diversity, and need²¹.
• Be Thorough: Make sure your application is full and right. Missing info can hurt your chances.

By using this guide to apply, you can find more chances to get scholarships. Knowing how to apply right is very important in the tough world of college funding.

Jim Maxwell Memorial Scholarship

The Jim Maxwell Memorial Scholarship helps students of faith with strong spiritual beliefs and community involvement. It’s a life-changing scholarship for these students, making college more doable without worrying about money.

Sponsor

This Scholarship is given by the Jim Maxwell Foundation. They are dedicated to helping students of faith reach their school goals.

Details

In 2025, the scholarship will provide $10,000 for school costs²⁴. Make sure to apply before March 30, 2025. Start your application soon²⁴.

Criteria

To get this scholarship, you need to be a student of faith with financial needs. You must also be committed spiritually and help in your community. This support aims to reduce the stress of high college fees, which can be a lot²⁵.

In the first nine months of 2021, about 2.7 million students graduated high school. Around 1.7 million went to college by October²⁵. Even with student loans reaching $1.7 trillion in the U.S., scholarships like this one make college possible for students of faith²⁵.

Plus, $100 million in scholarships is not claimed yearly because people don’t apply²⁵. Don’t let this chance pass—apply for the Jim Maxwell Memorial Scholarship now!

Alex Hipple Recovery Scholarship

The Alex Hipple Recovery Scholarship is a beacon of hope for students overcoming the hardships of addiction. It’s mainly for students in North Carolina.

It supports scholars who have faced personal recovery struggles and shown resilience.

For those affected by addiction, doing well in school can be tough. Many missed up to 150 days of school due to suspensions from cannabis issues.

Moreover, some faced up to three suspensions for having cannabis at school. They also joined counseling groups to work on their recovery²⁶.

It’s important to understand these students’ struggles. The scholarship helps those interested in vocational programs like diesel and auto mechanics.

These careers demand a clean lifestyle, linking recovery to professional goals²⁶.

The Alex Hipple Recovery Scholarship also boosts mental health. It’s part of promoting mental health awareness scholarships. This ensures students get the help they need to do well both in school and in life.

This scholarship can truly change lives. It shows how education can help break down barriers. The Alex Hipple Recovery Scholarship is especially important for students in North Carolina and beyond.

HeySunday Scholarship for Moms in College

The HeySunday Scholarship helps moms in college pay for school. It knows moms juggle studying with parenting. It helps women reach their career and school dreams.

Sponsor

HeySunday, which makes eco-friendly laundry products, sponsors this scholarship. They want to make college easier for moms.

Details

There are different kinds of help offered. Like the LA Tutors scholarship gives $500 monthly. And the ADHDAdvisor.org scholarship offers $1,000 every quarter²⁷.

Yearly ones like Lemon Law Firm give $1,000, too. Also, California Community Colleges help with $500²⁷.

Ventura County gives out over $1.5 million through 400 scholarships. They start on November 13, 2024, and end on January 15, 2025²⁷.

The California Native Plant Society gives $1,500 for certain projects. This one ends on January 31, 2025²⁷.

Criteria

You must be a mom in college to apply. Needing money and good grades matter. Say how this scholarship will help your education and career goals. Some might ask for more based on who helps fund it.

There’s also a $1,000 College Ave Sweepstakes twice a year. And a $5,000 Spokeo scholarship for fall 2025. Plus, health scholarships like Live it Up’s offer²⁸.

With the HeySunday Scholarship, there’s over 100 scholarships total. Over 10 are for social justice. And more than 20 are for law students, like Murphy & McKinney’s²⁸.

Raise Me Up to DO GOOD Scholarship

The Raise Me Up to DO GOOD Scholarship helps students from single-parent or blended homes who love to help their community and lead. It shows the value of giving back and growing as leaders.

You can start applying in 9th grade, giving you time to gather achievements and small scholarships²⁹.

With RaiseMe, you get to choose from over 330 colleges across the U.S., finding the perfect fit for your future. Scholarships360 offers 706 profiles to match with and a chance at $862,540 in total awards³⁰.

The scholarships you get through RaiseMe can help you pay for college without hurting your chances for other financial help²⁹.

Your efforts in school and the community can earn you scholarships through RaiseMe.

Colleges decide how much to give based on what you’ve done, so keep doing your best. High school seniors work hard to find scholarships, and websites like RaiseMe and Bold.org are key for success³¹. Scholarships America even has about 100 opportunities, showing there are many chances to win³⁰.

This scholarship boosts both your wallet and your ability to lead by rewarding community service.

RaiseMe focuses on leadership scholarships, helping you meet goals for more college money²⁹. A good grade point average matters, but trying for many scholarships from junior year on boosts your odds of getting them³¹.

Conclusion: Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities 

We’re wrapping up our journey through the top 15 scholarships for 2025 students. T

hese scholarships make a big difference in your school and work future. From full-rides that cover all college costs to special ones for unique students, they help reduce school costs³².

There’s a lot of money up for grabs, from $1,000 to $36,000. They help many students, like Black LGBTQ folks, women in architecture, and those fighting cystic fibrosis, through competitive scholarship opportunities.

Finding and applying for these takes work.

You need to start early, with most deadlines around January 10 to 15, 2025. Some are even due in late December 2024³³.

To better your odds, don’t just aim for the big money.

Try for many, prep for interviews, and show off your leading and volunteering skills. These tips are key to win scholarship money³²

In the end, these scholarships do more than just pay for school. They open doors to new chances, helping you follow your dreams without money worries. Good luck finding these amazing opportunities that can change your school life.

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