Samford University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- 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
If your student is looking at Samford University, you’ll want to understand both the true costs and the scholarship options. This guide breaks it all down—from automatic awards to hidden gems—so first-gen parents can see what families actually pay, without the fine print. And don’t forget, Alabama families can also check out the state aid guide for extra options that may stack with Samford scholarships.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Samford University
| Category | In-State (Private) | Out-of-State (Private) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (12–18 credits) | $41,910 | $41,910 |
| Housing & Meals | $14,260 | $14,260 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Transportation | $1,440 | $1,440 |
| Personal/Misc. | $3,896 | $3,896 |
| Total (before aid) | $64,958 | $64,958 |
Because Samford is a private university, there’s no in-state/out-of-state price difference and no WUE or reciprocity programs. Families should focus on institutional scholarships and need-based aid instead.
Cost of Attendance FAQ
Who sets the COA? Samford publishes standard budgets each year based on tuition, housing, meals, and allowances for books, travel, and personal expenses.
Why is the net price so much lower than the sticker price? Because most students receive scholarships or grants. The “average net price” shows the real out-of-pocket cost after that aid is applied.
Does Samford offer in-state discounts? No. As a private university, the price is the same for all students, but merit scholarships can significantly reduce costs. Some competitive or need-based scholarships may also require the CSS Profile, so be sure to check Samford’s instructions.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Samford reviews admitted students for several institutional awards without a separate application. Amounts below reflect current published averages or caps; final offers depend on academic profile and available funds.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) + stacking rules | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosland Scholarship | Avg. ~$17,500/yr | High academic achievement; typically ACT ≥26 / SAT ≥1240 or strong GPA if test-optional. Stacks with Davis & Mann Legacy; cannot combine with Marion. | No | Yes (good standing) | A-/A GPA with rigorous courses; tests help if submitted. |
| Marion Scholarship | Avg. ~$13,000/yr | Solid academics; minimum HS GPA 3.0. Stacks with Davis & Mann Legacy; cannot combine with Crosland. | No | Yes (good standing) | Typically B+/A- profile with consistent coursework. |
| Marvin Mann Academic Excellence (National Merit Finalists) | Up to $10,000/yr | National Merit Finalist; designate Samford first choice with NMSC. Often stackable per award letter; may combine with NMSC funds. | No (via NMSC designation) | Yes (up to 8 semesters; good standing) | Finalists who list Samford and maintain strong standing. |
| National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship | $1,000/yr | National Merit Semifinalist; Samford as first choice. University-sponsored award; 3.0 Samford GPA to renew. | No (NMSC status) | Yes (up to 8 semesters) | Recognized NMSQT high scorers who choose Samford. |
| Marvin Mann Legacy | $1,000/yr | Parent/relative is a Samford (or Howard College) alum/current student. Stackable with academic awards. | No (indicate on application) | Yes (up to 8 semesters) | Admitted students with verified legacy status. |
| Marvin Mann Ministry Dependent | $3,500/yr | Parent in full-time, paid ministry with qualifying org; documentation required. Stackable with academic awards. | No (submit documentation) | Yes (up to 8 semesters) | Students who meet ministry-dependent criteria. |
Note: Amounts reflect current published averages/caps. Crosland and Marion are mutually exclusive. Legacy and Ministry awards are marked stackable. Final stacking and total-aid caps are set in the official award letter.
Samford participates in National Merit. See our parent guide: National Merit Scholarship.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need a separate application? No for Crosland and Marion—students are reviewed automatically once admitted. Identity/affiliation awards (Legacy/Ministry) are processed from your application info and documentation. National Merit awards follow NMSC designation.
Are test scores required for scholarships? Samford is test-optional and uses a holistic review. Submitting strong scores can help, especially for higher Crosland awards.
Do they superscore? Yes for admissions (ACT & SAT). For scholarship eligibility, Samford superscores the SAT only (ACT is not superscored for scholarship purposes).
What are the key dates? Apply by Dec 1 for first scholarship consideration; Feb 15 is the second scholarship deadline and FAFSA priority date.
Estimates disclaimer: When GPA/test bands are not explicitly published, we infer typical ranges from Samford’s guidance and recent cohorts to help families calibrate expectations.
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (highly competitive university-level)
These are Samford’s selective, university-level scholarships that require extra steps beyond admission (application, essay, interview). They’re competitive in the sense of limited slots and elevated profiles.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What makes it competitive | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Scholarship | $2,000/yr | Requires strong service and community engagement; limited number awarded. | Incoming freshmen with demonstrated community/service record. | Yes | Yes (if maintain standing) | Students with standout service/leadership essays beyond just grades. |
If no other flagship/competitive awards appear, that means Samford limits its selective scholarship programs. The key competitive option beyond automatic merit is Davis, which supplements merit awards.
Samford participates in National Merit. See our parent guide: National Merit Scholarship.
Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships FAQ
Do test scores matter for flagship awards? Yes — even though Samford is test-optional, stronger scores can boost competitive profiles for awards like Davis.
Can flagship awards stack with automatic merit? Yes, in many cases the Davis award can stack with non-mutually exclusive merit awards (unless explicitly disallowed in the award letter).
What does “competitive cohort” mean? It means the university limits slots and evaluates applicants comparatively — e.g. essay, interview, leadership metrics beyond just grades.
⭐ College Specialty
Samford is a private Christian university in Birmingham that has carved out a reputation for preparing graduates in fields where licensure and outcomes really matter. Parents often look at Samford because of its blend of faith-based mission, small-class feel, and programs that punch above their weight in state and national rankings.
- Trial Advocacy (Cumberland School of Law): Ranked #4 nationally by U.S. News for Trial Advocacy (2025) and #2 in Gavel Rankings (2024–25).
- Accounting (Brock School of Business): 78.3% first-time CPA pass rate (2023), the highest in Alabama and among the top 5% nationally.
- Pharmacy (McWhorter School of Pharmacy): Strong NAPLEX and MPJE pass rates, consistently above national averages, with high employment outcomes.
🎖️ Honors College
Samford’s Honors College isn’t automatic—it’s a small, selective community that requires essays, recommendations, and sometimes interviews. Families should think of it less as a separate scholarship and more as a high-impact academic track with enrichment funds, travel, and service opportunities. The payoff is a close-knit experience with faculty mentoring and national-level programs.
GPA 3.5+ unweighted with rigorous coursework, ACT ~28+ / SAT ~1300+, strong essays and recommendations, plus leadership and service experience.
Dedicated Great Books curriculum (University Fellows), interdisciplinary service learning (Micah Fellows), priority registration, Italy study opportunity, enrichment funding, and a supportive faculty-student community.
| Program | What It Offers | Separate App? | Scholarship Component | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Fellows | Great Books core curriculum, interdisciplinary seminars, Italy study trip, enrichment funding, faculty mentoring, close-knit community. | Yes — essay, teacher rec, interview for finalists; deadline Dec 1. | No single named award, but Fellows are typically offered strong academic scholarships like Crosland ($17,500 avg). | Students with top GPAs, strong writing skills, and leadership who thrive in a reading-intensive, discussion-based setting. |
| Micah Fellows | Four-year service-based honors track focused on justice, mercy, and humility; service projects, leadership development, interdisciplinary coursework. | Yes — résumé, writing sample, recommendation; applications reviewed competitively. | Competitive scholarship award (amount not fixed or publicly listed); provides funding tied to program participation. | Students with deep service backgrounds and a calling toward leadership and community engagement. |
Note: While Samford does not advertise a separate “Honors College Scholarship,” Fellows are often awarded major academic scholarships like the Crosland ($17,500/yr) and may also qualify for selective awards such as the Davis Scholarship ($2,000/yr for service and engagement). Honors programs amplify these benefits through enrichment funding and special opportunities.
Honors College FAQ
Is admission automatic? No. Both University Fellows and Micah Fellows require separate applications and supporting materials.
Does Honors add time to the degree? No. Both programs are structured to fit within a standard four-year plan.
What about financial aid? Honors does not replace core merit scholarships but adds competitive program funding and enrichment opportunities. Families should expect to stack Honors participation with standard awards like Crosland or Davis.
When are applications due? University Fellows applications are due Dec 1. Micah Fellows follows the same admission cycle with priority deadlines in early winter.
📎 Official Links
- Samford University — Homepage
- Honors College — University Fellows & Micah Fellows
- Undergraduate Scholarships
- Financial Aid (Student Financial Services)
Final Thoughts
Samford offers families a mix of automatic merit, competitive flagship scholarships, and hidden gems that can make a real difference in the final bill. The Honors College programs add another layer of value through mentoring, enrichment funds, and service opportunities. For first-gen or budget-conscious parents, the key is stacking the right scholarships early—priority deadlines matter. With careful planning, Samford can be much more affordable than its sticker price suggests.
✅ Last updated: September 26, 2025