While you can't underestimate their importance, you can overestimate them. Sadly, many students never even apply for scholarships due to concern over their grades (as well as lack of athletic skills, race, or family income). While there are many scholarships directed toward individuals with particular skills or specific ethnicities, there are hundreds of other scholarships out there. Beyond freshman year, there are also scholarships designed for transfer students and sophomore, junior, and senior-year students.