Competitive Scholarships
I’m an incoming freshman. How do I apply for competitive scholarships?
To receive consideration for the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship and other competitive scholarships, you must submit your application for admission and all supporting documents by January 15 if enrolling in the fall/summer or November 1 if enrolling in the spring. Once you are admitted you will be emailed instructions to complete the optional Freshman Supplemental Scholarship Application. The Freshman Supplemental Scholarship Application includes a few additional competitive scholarships that require supplemental documents. Be sure to read the criteria of each scholarship on the Freshman Supplemental Scholarship Application to determine if you are eligible.
I’m an incoming transfer student. How do I apply for competitive scholarships?
To receive priority consideration for competitive scholarships, you must submit your application for admission and all supporting documents by March 1 if enrolling in the fall/summer. If you apply for admission by the priority deadline you will receive access to complete the optional Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Application. The Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Application includes a few additional competitive scholarships that require supplemental documents. Be sure to read the criteria of each scholarship on the Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Application to determine if you are eligible. The deadline to complete the Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Application is March 1.
To meet the deadline for competitive scholarship , you must submit your application for admission and all supporting documents by May 1 if enrolling in the fall/summer or October 1 if enrolling in the spring.
Students who wish to enroll as a main campus student in the spring semester should submit an application and all supporting documents by October 1.
Can I make changes to my application after submission for scholarship purposes?
No. Once your application has been submitted, changes cannot be made.
How many early notifications of UA Competitive Admissions Scholarships will there be?
There will be two early notification rounds. They will be released in mid-December and early February. The third and final round will take place when Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letters are released in early March, which is the same time that all other competitive scholarships are released.
What scholarships will be released in the first and second round scholarship notifications?
Only the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarships will be released in the early rounds. All other competitive scholarships including alumni, departmental and college specific scholarships will be released in early March with the Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letters.
Who will receive early notification of the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship?
Students with and without a test score will be eligible for early notification of the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship.
If I don’t receive early notification for a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship in the applicable round for my admission and supporting documentation submission date, will I be rolled into a future notification round?
Yes. It is not uncommon for students that submit their application for admission and supporting documents before a submission cut-off date to receive a later notification.
If a student submits required documents before a submission cut-off date and does not receive a notification in the respective round, they will be rolled into the final round of notifications which are released in early March.
If I already have a merit scholarship, can I receive both the merit and the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship?
No. If you are awarded a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship but also meet the criteria for one or more Automatic Merit Scholarships, you will receive the highest of the scholarship offers.
If I receive a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship in December but later receive an SAT or ACT score that makes me eligible for an automatic merit scholarship, should I submit my test score?
Yes, you may submit an SAT or ACT test score after being admitted.
If you are awarded a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship but also meet the criteria for one or more Automatic Merit Scholarships, you will receive the highest of the scholarship offers.
If I receive a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship, can I receive another competitive scholarship?
Yes, you can receive a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship and additional competitive scholarships like alumni, departmental or college-specific scholarships. The additional competitive scholarships will be released with Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letters in early March.
If I do not receive the value I hoped for from the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship, can I be reviewed again?
Students are not typically reviewed again after receiving a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship offer. The UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship based on the holistic review of a student’s academic and non-academic information provided on their admission application.
However, students whose scholarship value, eligibility and/or academic profile was impacted by an extenuating circumstance have the opportunity to submit a scholarship appeal for reconsideration. Please visit UA’s Scholarship Policy webpage to learn more about our Incoming & Returning Student Scholarship Appeals Policy.
Will UA re-award scholarships if the previous recipient fails to enroll?
Yes, there will be a re-award period following the registration deadline, typically in late August. The likelihood of additional scholarships is small and re-awards will not include automatic merit scholarships or UA Competitive Admissions Scholarships. It is in your best interest to prepare for The University of Alabama with your current financial aid award and scholarship offer.
Will incoming freshmen that have submitted an application and all supporting documents on January 15 be disadvantaged, receive less competitive scholarship values or less consideration for competitive scholarships compared to students who are admitted earlier?
No. Students that submit their admissions application and all supporting documents closer to January 15 will not be disadvantaged in any way. Their applications will be reviewed for competitive scholarships in the same fashion as all students that submitted prior to them.
Will incoming transfer students that submit their application and all supporting documents on May 1 receive less consideration for competitive scholarships compared to students who submit their admissions application and all supporting documents by the March 1 priority date?
Yes. Transfer students that submit their admissions application and all supporting documents by the March 1 priority date will be reviewed for all competitive scholarships including those offered by Alumni and the colleges that house their major.
Transfer students will continue to be reviewed for competitive scholarships through May 1 as funds are available.
How do I ensure I am considered for all competitive scholarships offered at UA?
For incoming freshmen, your scholarship application is now included in your application for admission. To receive consideration for most competitive scholarships, you must submit your application for admission and all supporting documents by January 15 if enrolling in the fall/summer or November 1 if enrolling in the spring. Some competitive scholarships require supplemental documentation. Once you are admitted you will be emailed instructions to complete the optional Freshman Supplemental Scholarship Application.
For incoming transfer students, your scholarship application is now included in your application for admission. To receive priority consideration for competitive scholarships you must submit your application for admission and all supporting documents by March 1 if enrolling in the fall/summer. Transfer students enrolling in the fall/summer will continue to be reviewed for competitive scholarships through May 1 as funds are available. Students who wish to enroll as a main campus student in the spring semester should submit an application and all supporting documents by October 1.
Admitted students will receive instructions via email on how to access the Freshmen Supplemental Scholarship Application or the Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Application. The Freshmen and Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Application includes scholarships that require supplemental information or documentation that is not collected during the admissions process. All admissions and scholarship applications are disseminated to every department across our campus including the National Alumni Association and the academic college that hour the student’s major for competitive scholarship consideration.
Please note the Freshmen and Transfer Supplemental Scholarship Applications are not mandatory for consideration of most competitive scholarships offered at UA. The scholarships on these applications have very specific criteria and not all students will be eligible for the listed scholarships. To receive consideration for these scholarships, students must check the box next to the scholarship they wish to be considered for and provide any required information. These scholarships are processed on a competitive basis meaning not all students that meet the criteria will be a recipient.
If an incoming freshman has not submitted an application and all supporting documents by January 15 or an incoming transfer student does not submit an admissions application and all supporting documents by May 1, can the student still apply for competitive scholarships?
No, students will not receive consideration for competitive scholarships if the deadline has passed. Students may appeal for additional consideration due to extenuating circumstances. Please visit the Scholarship Policy webpage to learn more about our Incoming & Returning Student Scholarship Appeals Policy.
Are there scholarship opportunities for currently enrolled UA students?
Yes. Students can complete the Current Student Scholarship Application for opportunities available in the following academic year. The deadline is March 1 of the spring semester. Please visit the Current Student Scholarship website to learn more.
Are incoming freshmen with only a GED score eligible for scholarships?
Students with only a GED can be considered for competitive scholarships. Students can enhance their academic profile in competitive scholarship review by submitting an SAT or ACT score and thoroughly completing the Awards and Experience section of the admissions application.
Students with a GED cannot be considered for automatic merit scholarships.
Can two or more colleges on campus review my freshman or transfer application for scholarship consideration?
No. A student’s application will only be reviewed by the college marked on the admissions application. A student’s application will only be reviewed by the college/program selected on the admissions application. An incoming freshman or transfer student cannot list two majors.
Automatic Merit Scholarships
How will I be notified if I am eligible for a freshman automatic merit scholarship?
Freshman automatic merit scholarship letters are mailed to recipients approximately two weeks after they are admitted up until the Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letters are released. Students will receive notification of the Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letter via their Crimson Mail email address.
When will I be notified if I am eligible for a transfer automatic merit scholarship?
Transfer automatic merit scholarships will be released on the Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letter in early April. Students will receive notification of the Consolidated Scholarship Offer Letter via their Crimson Mail email address.
What standardized test dates and GPA timelines are accepted for freshman automatic merit scholarship consideration?
Only ACT composite scores or SAT total scores from tests taken through February of your senior year in high school and your GPA through December of your senior year in high school are considered for automatic merit scholarships.
Students must submit their qualifying test score and/or transcripts by May 1. Qualifying test score and/or transcripts submitted after May 1 are not considered for freshman automatic merit scholarship purposes.
If I am an incoming freshman and I have not submitted an application and all supporting documents by May 1, can I still receive an automatic merit scholarship?
No, students will not receive consideration for automatic merit scholarships after the deadline.
Students may appeal for additional consideration due to extenuating circumstances. Please visit UA’s Scholarship Policy to learn more.
I’ve been named a National Merit Finalist. What is my next step?
National Merit Finalists should email their finalist letter to scholarships@ua.edu and name The University of Alabama as their college of choice before May 1. To learn more visit UA’s National Merit Scholars page.
Can I receive more than one automatic merit scholarship?
No, students can only receive one automatic merit scholarship. If you are eligible for multiple automatic merit scholarships, you will receive the scholarship with the highest value.
If you are awarded a UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship but also meet the criteria for one or more Automatic Merit Scholarships, you will receive the highest of the scholarship offers.
Certain prestigious competitive scholarship packages are not stackable with automatic merit or UA Competitive Admissions Scholarships. Recipients of these awards will be notified if upgraded to one of these awards.
Scholarship Policies
Will a tuition scholarship adjust if I take more or less than full time hours?
The scholarship will automatically adjust to the tuition charge if the charge is more or less than a full-time course load.
What are the academic requirements of my automatic merit & UA Competitive Admissions Scholarships?
Students are required to have a cumulative 3.0 UA GPA and complete 67% of their attempted credit hours for the fall and spring of the academic year in order to maintain their merit scholarships. To learn more please visit UA’s Scholarship Policy.
Will a break in enrollment affect my scholarship?
Yes. A break in enrollment could affect a student’s scholarship. For more detail about our Break in Enrollment Policy please visit the Scholarship Policy website.
Can undergraduate students use remaining semesters of undergraduate scholarships toward graduate school?
Yes. Students with remaining semesters of an undergraduate automatic merit scholarship or the UA Competitive Admissions scholarship can use their remaining semesters toward graduate school. Students with a scholarship package can use the tuition portion of their scholarship towards graduate school. To learn more about the Scholarship Use for Graduate School Policy please visit the Scholarship Policy website.
Are students that take a gap year eligible for scholarships?
Yes. Admitted students can request a gap year by submitting a gap year request to scholarships@ua.edu. To learn more about our Gap Term/Year Policy please visit the Scholarship Policy website.
Can students use their automatic merit or competitive scholarship to study abroad?
Yes. Most university scholarships can be used toward a university approved study abroad program. To learn more about our Study Abroad Policy please visit the Scholarship Policy website.
Can students use their automatic merit or competitive scholarship toward summer courses?
Yes. Students can use most scholarships towards summer courses. To learn more about the Scholarship Use for Summer Semester Policy please visit the Scholarship Policy website.
Do external scholarships, military benefits or college saving plans impact scholarships at UA?
No. However, scholarships at UA could possibly impact these external funds. Please consult with the external scholarship, military benefits or college savings plan representatives to determine if your funds will be impacted by scholarships received at UA. Students with military benefits should also contact our Veterans and Military Affairs Office at (205) 348-0983 or email vma@ua.edu.
Do residency changes impact my scholarship values?
Yes. Automatic merit scholarships, UA Competitive Admissions Scholarships and other competitive scholarship values are impacted by residency changes as many values are representative of the tuition charge. Therefore, if the tuition charge changes, the scholarship value typically changes as well. Email scholarships@ua.edu to find out if your residency change will impact your scholarship.