National Merit Finalist, National Achievement Finalist, and National Hispanic Scholars
All National Merit and Achievement Finalists will receive:
- Value of tuition in-state or out of state for 4 years
- 4 years of on-campus housing at regular room rate* (based on assignment by Housing and Residential Communities)
- $1,000 per year University National Merit/Achievement Scholarship for 4 years
- One time allowance of $2,000 for use in summer research or international study (after completing one year of study at UA)
- Laptop computer**
This scholarship package is also available for National Hispanic Scholars with at least a 32 ACT or 1400 SAT score (critical reading and mathematics) and a 3.7 cumulative GPA.
By taking the PSAT, you can enter yourself in the national competition for National Merit and Achievement Scholarships. Be sure to take the test in October of your junior year in high school to qualify.
As a National Merit or Achievement Semifinalist, once you are admitted to UA with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, we will offer you a Presidential Scholarship, which pays the value of tuition for four years. You must be admitted by December 1*** of your senior year in high school to be considered for this scholarship (this would include completing the application for admission as well as the scholarship application).
*Regular room rate is defined as the largest room option in a particular dorm. Example: Riverside, Lakeside and Ridgecrest have four-person suites. The cost associated with the four-person suite would be the value of the housing scholarship in this circumstance. If you live in an alternate dorm where a double room occupancy is the largest available option, then the cost associated with the double room would be the value of the housing scholarship.
The housing portion of the scholarship would not apply if a student chooses to live in a fraternity and sorority. Though on-campus, the houses associated with these fraternities and sororities are not under Housing and Residential Life control.
Housing scholarships are not available to use during a summer term.
** For National Merit Finalists, if you list The University of Alabama as your college of choice with the National Merit Corporation by their designated deadline and register for any Bama Bound orientation session by June 1, you will receive a free laptop computer when you enroll.
*** If you do not meet the December 1 priority date for scholarships, we still encourage you to apply for admission. If you are named a National Merit or Achievement Finalist in the spring, we will award you with the comprehensive package listed above.
