Alabama State University Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Alabama families often assume that college in Montgomery will be out of reach, but Alabama State University keeps a range of scholarships and tuition programs on the table. Whether your student is looking at automatic merit, a shot at a full ride, or niche awards like ROTC and donor-funded scholarships, you’ll want to see how these options combine with Alabama’s state aid. This guide pulls it all together so parents can make apples-to-apples comparisons without chasing down fine print.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Alabama State University

Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees	$11,068	$19,936
Housing & Meals	$7,600	$7,600
Books & Supplies	$696	$696
Transportation	$3,000	$3,000
Personal/Misc.	$2,130	$2,130
Total (Before Aid)	$24,866	$33,194

Average Net Price: $13,889 (NCES 2022–23). That’s what families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships — no loans included.

Academic Common Market (ACM): Students from participating Southern states may qualify to pay in-state tuition at ASU if their chosen major isn’t offered back home.

Real Savings Example: Out-of-state tuition/fees ($19,936) – In-state ($11,068) ≈ $8,868/year saved.

Learn more at our ACM guide on CollegeReady Parent.

Cost of Attendance FAQs

Who qualifies for ACM? Residents of SREB states whose chosen major isn’t offered in their home state — must be certified by their state higher ed agency.

How much can families save? About $8,800 per year, based on the current in-state vs. out-of-state tuition difference at ASU.

Is ACM automatic? No. Families must apply through their home state’s ACM office and be officially approved.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Alabama State University

Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees	$11,068	$19,936
Housing & Meals	$7,600	$7,600
Books & Supplies	$696	$696
Transportation	$3,000	$3,000
Personal/Misc.	$2,130	$2,130
Total (Before Aid)	$24,494 (official COA doc shows $24,866)	$33,362 (official COA doc shows $33,194)

Average Net Price: $13,889 (NCES 2022–23). That’s what families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships — no loans included.

Cost of Attendance FAQs

Who qualifies for ACM? Residents of SREB states whose chosen major isn’t offered in their home state — must be certified by their state higher ed agency.

How much can families save? About $8,800 per year, based on the current in-state vs. out-of-state tuition difference at ASU.

Is ACM automatic? No. Families must apply through their home state’s ACM office and be officially approved.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
M-9 Freedom (In-State)	$5,000/year	Admitted freshmen, in-state residents	No	Yes — up to 8 semesters; 24 hrs/year + GPA requirement	Students with solid GPAs (cutoffs not published)
M-9 Legacy (In-State)	$3,500/year	Admitted freshmen, in-state residents	No	Yes — up to 8 semesters	Likely mid-range GPAs; exact bands not published*
M-9 1867 (In-State)	$1,500/year	Admitted freshmen, in-state residents	No	Yes	Lower-range GPAs above admission minimum*
M-9 Lincoln Normal (In-State)	$1,000/year	Admitted freshmen, in-state residents	No	Yes	Baseline merit for admissible in-state students*
M-9 Heritage (Out-of-State)	$12,000/year	Admitted freshmen, out-of-state residents	No	Yes — up to 8 semesters	Top academic out-of-state students*
M-9 Dreamer’s (Out-of-State)	$10,000/year	Admitted freshmen, out-of-state residents	No	Yes	Strong academic profile; exact GPA/test bands not posted*
M-9 Promise (Out-of-State Tuition Offset)	$8,328/year	Out-of-state freshmen with min 2.75 GPA	No	Yes	Any admitted OOS student with GPA ≥ 2.75

*GPA/test score bands for most automatic tiers are not published; ranges above are estimates based on ASU’s competitive merit cutoffs.

Parent Estimate (unofficial): Because ASU does not publish GPA/ACT bands for most automatic tiers, families often calibrate using the published competitive cutoffs and typical separations between competitive and automatic awards (about 1–2 ACT points and ~0.1–0.2 GPA lower). Based on that pattern:

In-State — Freedom: GPA ~3.6+ and ACT ~24+ *estimate
In-State — Legacy: GPA ~3.3–3.59 and ACT ~21–23 *estimate
In-State — 1867: GPA ~3.0–3.29 and ACT ~19–20 *estimate
In-State — Lincoln Normal: GPA ~2.75–2.99 and ACT ~18 *estimate
Out-of-State — Heritage: GPA ~3.6+ and ACT ~24+ *estimate
Out-of-State — Dreamer’s: GPA ~3.3–3.59 and ACT ~21–23 *estimate
Out-of-State — Promise: Published minimum GPA 2.75 (applies to the out-of-state portion of tuition)

These estimates are meant to help families set expectations and are not official cutoffs. Always confirm current criteria with ASU Admissions/Financial Aid.

*Items marked “estimate” are derived from ASU’s published competitive bands and typical merit tier spacing; criteria can shift year to year.

Automatic Merit FAQs

Do I need to apply separately? No — automatic scholarships are considered when you apply and are admitted. Just make sure your FAFSA is on file.

Does Alabama State superscore the ACT or SAT? ASU does not currently publish a superscore policy; scholarships are based on composite scores as reported. Families should confirm with admissions if test-optional policies apply.

Can automatic awards stack with other aid? ASU does not state clear stacking rules for the Marion 9 awards. In practice, competitive or donor scholarships may combine, but always check with Financial Aid before assuming they will stack.

Is there a deadline? Automatic awards are tied to the admission process. Applying early and submitting the FAFSA by ASU’s priority date helps ensure consideration.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These are selective, limited awards that require meeting published GPA/ACT thresholds and completing a scholarship application in your student portal after admission. Amounts below reflect ASU’s official descriptions; renewals typically require full-time enrollment and annual GPA checks.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility (plain English)	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Academic Scholarship	Full tuition, required fees, books, and on-campus room & board (up to 8 semesters)	Freshmen with GPA ≥ 3.76 and ACT ≥ 26 (SAT 1240); must be admitted first	Yes — apply in student portal after acceptance	Yes — typically 3.0 GPA, full-time, 24 credit hours/year	Top academic applicants who also show strong rigor and leadership
Academic Excellence Scholarship	Full tuition, required fees, and books (up to 8 semesters)	Freshmen with GPA 3.51–3.75 and ACT ≥ 22 (SAT 1160); admitted to ASU	Yes — portal application after acceptance	Yes — typically 3.0 GPA, full-time, 24 credit hours/year	High achievers just below Presidential thresholds
Academic Incentive Scholarship	Full tuition + $500 book award (up to 8 semesters)	Freshmen with GPA 3.0–3.5 and ACT ≥ 20 (SAT 1020); admitted to ASU	Yes — portal application after acceptance	Yes — typically 3.0 GPA, full-time, 24 credit hours/year	Solid academic students with college-prep rigor
Black & Gold Scholarship	$4,000/year (up to 8 semesters)	Freshmen with GPA ≥ 2.75 and ACT ≥ 18 (SAT 940); admitted to ASU	Yes — portal application after acceptance	Yes — typically 2.75 GPA, full-time, 24 credit hours/year	Admitted students meeting the baseline merit thresholds

Notes: Renewal conditions are summarized from ASU’s scholarship pages. Stacking with automatic awards isn’t explicitly stated — confirm with Financial Aid.

Competitive Scholarships FAQs

Is there a separate application? Yes. After you’re admitted, eligible scholarships appear in your student portal with the application link.

Are awards limited? Yes — these are selective and may be capped by funding. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection.

Do these stack with automatic merit? ASU doesn’t publish a universal stacking rule. Some combinations may be allowed, but verify with Financial Aid before assuming they stack.

Are interviews or essays required? The portal application may include short essays or documentation. If an interview is required, ASU will notify qualified candidates.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards aren’t automatic or headline merit programs but can make a real difference for certain students — from donor-funded gifts to ROTC and research stipends. They often require separate applications and a little extra initiative.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Donor Trust Scholarships	$1,000–$5,000/year	Varies by donor: GPA ≥3.0, specific majors, or residency in select Alabama counties	Yes — Donor Trust application via Financial Aid	Varies by fund	Students who meet niche criteria and maintain required GPA
Leadership Scholarship	$1,000–$3,000/year	Freshmen or transfers with GPA ≥3.0 and test scores; leadership record	Yes — leadership application required	Yes — if GPA/credit load maintained	Admitted students with proven leadership roles in high school or community
Upward Bound Bridge Scholarship	Covers part of tuition/fees (amount varies, typically $1,000–$2,000 for transition year)	Participants in ASU’s Upward Bound who enroll at ASU	Yes — through Upward Bound office	No — one-time bridge award	First-generation or low-income students completing ASU’s Upward Bound program
Marching Band / Ensemble Scholarships	$500–$3,000/year	Participation in ASU ensembles (e.g., marching band); audition required	Yes — audition with Department of Visual and Performing Arts	Yes — if ensemble participation and GPA maintained	Musicians accepted into ensembles, regardless of major
Music Department Scholarships	$1,000–$5,000/year	Music majors; audition with faculty required	Yes — music department audition	Yes — if performance and GPA standards met	Talented instrumentalists/vocalists with strong auditions
AFROTC (Detachment 019)	Covers tuition + $420/mo stipend + $1,200 books/year	Meet AFROTC academic, fitness, and citizenship standards	Yes — via AFROTC/USAF portal	Yes — if academic and fitness standards met	STEM majors and strong leaders who complete AFROTC training
Army ROTC (via AUM Battalion)	Full or partial tuition + stipend + book allowance	Admitted students meeting Army ROTC merit and fitness criteria	Yes — national or campus-based ROTC application	Yes — per Army ROTC terms	Students with strong GPA, leadership, and fitness
Undergraduate Research (REU/Faculty Stipends)	$3,000–$6,000 summer stipends	STEM majors; faculty-mentor match required	Yes — apply through research program office	No — one summer term	STEM students, often first-gen or underrepresented, engaged in lab research

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/test requirements listed above are based on current published data or typical ranges from ASU sources. Where not explicitly listed by the university, ranges are provided as evidence-based estimates for parent clarity and should be verified with Financial Aid or the sponsoring department.

Miss Alabama State University Leadership and Scholarship Program — scholarship tied to winning the campus-wide competition
Best Man on Campus Scholarship Program — scholarship linked to holding this leadership title

Hidden Gem FAQs

Can these awards stack with automatic or competitive scholarships? Usually yes. Donor awards and ROTC benefits often stack, but always confirm with Financial Aid.

How do students find out about Donor Trust scholarships? ASU posts the donor list and criteria each year; students apply through the Financial Aid office.

Are ROTC scholarships binding? Yes — AFROTC and Army ROTC scholarships come with a service commitment after graduation.

Do research stipends reduce other aid? Summer stipends typically stack cleanly, but they may slightly reduce need-based aid if treated as income. Check with the aid office.

⭐ College Specialty

Alabama State University may not have the name recognition of larger flagship campuses, but it has carved out some distinctive strengths that give its graduates a clear edge. From cutting-edge nanobiotech research to the marching band that brings national attention, ASU blends tradition with forward-looking programs that matter to families across Alabama and beyond.

Forensic Science: ASU is one of the few public universities in Alabama offering a full BS-to-MS pipeline in Forensic Science. Graduates step directly into roles with state crime labs and law enforcement agencies, making it a statewide leader in this high-demand field.

Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR) — nationally funded by the National Science Foundation, with undergraduate Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs.
Physical Therapy (DPT) — CAPTE-accredited doctoral program that ranks among Alabama’s strongest allied health offerings.
Marching Hornets Band — nationally recognized HBCU band program, featured in major parades and halftime shows across the country.

🎖️ Honors College

Alabama State’s University Honors Program is designed for high-achieving students who want a more personalized college experience. While details are more limited than at larger schools, the program emphasizes smaller class sizes, deeper discussions, and faculty mentorship to help ambitious students stand out.

What a Typical ASU Honors Student Looks Like: High school GPA in the 3.5+ range, rigorous college-prep coursework, leadership or service activities, and a strong interest in research or graduate study.

Honors Program Perks: Priority registration, small honors seminars, close advising, and opportunities for research or thesis work. Some students also gain enhanced networking and presentation opportunities at regional conferences.

The Honors Program also supports students applying for prestigious national fellowships such as the Goldwater, Fulbright, and Udall — highly competitive awards that can fund research, study abroad, or graduate study.

Honors Program FAQs

Is admission automatic? No. Students must apply or be invited after admission; details are shared through Admissions and the Honors office.

Does joining Honors add time to my degree? No. Honors coursework is designed to fit within normal degree requirements, though students often add a thesis or research project.

Are there deadlines? Priority consideration is typically tied to early admission and scholarship deadlines; families should confirm with the Honors Program office.

Does Honors come with extra money? ASU does not publish specific Honors-only scholarships; students typically combine Honors with competitive or donor awards.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Alabama State University gives families more options than you might expect — from automatic merit that cuts thousands off the sticker price, to competitive awards that cover the full ride, to hidden gems like band and leadership scholarships. For first-gen families especially, the combination of state aid, ASU’s own awards, and programs like the Academic Common Market can make the cost much more manageable. If your student is willing to put themselves forward — through an audition, application, or leadership role — there’s real value waiting here in Montgomery.

✅ Last updated: September 18, 2025