In further support and appreciation of sworn officers who provide duties on and adjacent to The University of Alabama’s main campus benefiting faculty, staff and students, the University has created the UA Sworn Officer Scholarship Program.
The UA Sworn Officer Scholarship Program will offer scholarships with a value of up to $2,500 each academic year to selected students who are either eligible sworn officers and/or the children of sworn officers who provide services to the UA community – up to $10,000 over 4 years. The Office of Undergraduate Scholarships will award the scholarships in accordance with University policies and procedures.
Who is eligible?
Sworn officers of the following organizations and their children will be eligible for 75 total awards at any given time. The number of scholarship recipients will vary from semester to semester to keep an overall level of no greater than 75 total awards.
- Tuscaloosa Police Department
- Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue
- Northport Police Department
- Northport Fire Rescue
- Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Includes deputies and detention officers
- Includes emergency management first responders
- Other sworn public safety officers who provide services on or adjacent to the University’s main campus benefitting the community where University faculty, staff and students live and work, and where families and fans visit, may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, if scholarships remain available.
The term “sworn officers” is intended to cover full-time officers with the above agencies, including those who have taken an oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of Alabama; who have the responsibility and undertake risks to protect the safety, health and quality of life of the University and serve the community of faculty, staff and students. For specific questions, contact the Office of Undergraduate Scholarships at scholarships@ua.edu or call (205)348-8201.
Per agreement with the City of Tuscaloosa, priority shall be awarded to TPD and TFR for approximately 50 total awards at any given time.
What admitted student groups are eligible?
This scholarship was first awarded for the Fall 2023 Semester and those eligible will include undergraduate students who are:
- First-time freshmen
- Transfer students
- Distance Learning students (first year and transfer)
- Students re-admitted to the University
- Current Students
How much is the scholarship?
- Students attending full time can receive up to $2,500 dollars per year for 4 years or $1,250 for each of eight semesters.
- Students attending part-time may receive a prorated amount ($83.33 per credit hour or $250 for a three-credit hour course for a maximum of 120 attempted credit hours).
Can this award be used in combination with other scholarships?
Yes, students can stack this scholarship on top of other scholarships up to the cost of attendance.
How does UA determine who receives the scholarship?
- Entering freshmen (main campus or distance learning) must have a 3.0 or higher high school GPA and be selected from the pool of candidates.
- Transfer students and re-admitted students (main campus or distance learning) must have at least a 2.0 GPA in their college course work and be selected from the pool of candidates.
How do students keep this scholarship?
- Maintain a cumulative 2.0 UA GPA.
- Earn at least 67% of courses attempted in the current academic year (fall and spring semesters combined).
- Students that fail to meet academic stewardship requirements are eligible to take part in our appeals process.
How will students apply for this scholarship?
- Students must be admitted by UA’s supplemental scholarship application deadline.
- Students must also complete and submit the supplemental scholarship application, check the box next to UA Sworn Officer Scholarship and provide requested employment verification information.
How will UA verify students are either officers or dependents?
UA will have a dedicated HR liaison from the city and other qualifying agencies who will verify that a student or parent/guardian is eligible for the award.
Do UAPD officers and their children qualify?
No. However, UAPD officers and their dependents are eligible for the University’s Educational Benefit.
