🎓 University of Alabama Scholarships & Aid Guide
← Back to Public University Scholarships
- 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
You’re here because your kid got good grades, and you’re wondering if that’s enough for Alabama to pay for college. This guide walks you through exactly what UA offers—and how real families actually make it work.
🎓 Estimated Cost of Attendance (2025–26)
Below is the annual estimated cost for full‑time undergraduates living on campus at the main Tuscaloosa campus.
| Category | In‑State | Out‑of‑State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $11,684 | $34,542 |
| Housing | $9,800 | $9,800 |
| Meals | $5,316 | $5,316 |
| Total Direct Cost | $27,600 | $50,458 |
| Books | $700 | $700 |
| Transportation | $2,266 | $3,330 |
| Miscellaneous & Loan Fees | $4,042 | $3,962 |
| Estimated Total | $34,608 | $58,530 |
📉 Projected Net Price (After Average Aid)
Based on federal data, many families actually pay ≈ $20,600–$21,800 per year after grants and scholarships.
✅ This is very different from the published sticker price.
📊 Your actual cost may be lower (or higher) depending on family income, aid eligibility, and merit awards.
For a personalized estimate, try UA’s Net Price Calculator.
- Academic Common Market (ACM): Qualified students from SREB states in eligible majors may have the out-of-state portion of tuition covered by UA, pending home-state certification and UA approval (application via MyBama, deadline May 1). Recertification each semester requires maintaining full-time enrollment and ≥ 3.0 UA GPA.
- Residency Reclassification: Non-residents may not simply become in-state through living in Alabama for a year. They must demonstrate a permanent domicile and intent to remain. Reclassification is difficult and evaluated by UA’s Registrar Office.
- Employee Educational Benefit: Eligible UA employees (after 6 months of continuous employment) — along with their spouse or dependent — may receive reimbursement equivalent to in-state tuition for courses taken, even if out-of-state tuition is initially charged.
👉 Alabama State Grants & Scholarships
📊 Automatic Merit Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded automatically based on ACT/SAT and GPA — no separate application required.
🏅 In-State Students
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Elite | Full tuition + housing + stipend | 36 ACT & 4.0 GPA | No | Yes | Perfect ACT and GPA; very rare |
| Presidential Scholar | Full tuition | 30+ ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Top in-state admits with strong scores |
| Foundation in Excellence | $9,000 | 29 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | High GPA + near-30 ACT |
| Collegiate | $8,000 | 28 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Solid GPA with upper-20s ACT |
| Capstone | $7,000 | 27 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Good students just below Collegiate tier |
| UA Legends | $6,000 | 26 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Consistent 3.5+ GPA with mid-20s ACT |
| Crimson Achievement | $5,000 | 25 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Students with strong grades, mid-20s ACT |
| UA Recognition | $4,000 | 24 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Baseline 3.5 GPA, ACT mid-20s |
🌍 Out-of-State Students
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Elite | Full tuition + housing + stipend | 36 ACT & 4.0 GPA | No | Yes | Perfect ACT and GPA; very rare |
| Presidential Scholar | $28,000/year | 32–35 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Top OOS admits with high 30s ACTs |
| UA Scholar | $24,000/year | 30–31 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Competitive students with 30–31 ACTs |
| Foundation in Excellence | $15,000/year | 29 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Solid OOS students just below UA Scholar |
| Collegiate | $10,000/year | 28 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | High GPA, ACT in upper 20s |
| Capstone | $8,000/year | 27 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Solid GPA, ACT 27 |
| Crimson Legends | $6,000/year | 25–26 ACT & ≥3.5 GPA | No | Yes | Mid-20s ACT range, 3.5+ GPA |
*GPA/test score cutoffs are approximate and may shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and funding.*
⚠️ Important: The University of Alabama does not superscore ACT or SAT results for scholarships. Your highest single test date is used for eligibility.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
If your student is aiming for true “competitive” scholarships with essays, interviews, or nominations, Alabama isn’t a big player compared to schools like Mississippi State, South Carolina, or Georgia. At UA, the largest awards are automatic — and the rest fall under Hidden Gems.
❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Does Alabama have big competitive full-ride scholarships?
No. UA’s full-tuition and full-ride awards are automatic, tied directly to ACT/SAT and GPA. There is no flagship-level essay or interview-based scholarship program.
Where should families look for extra aid instead?
Use the UA Scholarship Portal (ASAM) to explore departmental and donor-funded scholarships.
These are smaller, niche awards that stack with automatic merit but are not highly competitive on a national level.
✨ What Sets The Capstone (UA) Apart
The University of Alabama is the state’s flagship public research university—and now holds an official R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity classification. It leads Alabama in research, doctoral degrees, and statewide influence. Here’s where it truly shines.
Other Notable UA Programs (State & National Recognition)
- School of Law – Ranked #31 (tie) nationally among public law schools.
- Jacobs School of Engineering – Multiple graduate programs ranked in the top tiers; overall engineering ranking in the U.S. top 10 among public universities.
- Education, Business, Engineering – Ranked among the best programs in the state according to PLEXUSS.
- Popular Undergraduate Majors – Business, Finance, Nursing, Social Sciences, Communications.
- Rhodes & Goldwater Scholars – UA has produced numerous nationally prestigious scholars (e.g., Rhodes, Goldwater, Truman).
- Law Program – Bar passage rate of over 91%.
🎖️ UA Honors College & Scholarships
The UA Honors College is not automatic — all students must apply separately. Some high achievers may be encouraged to apply, but admission is never guaranteed.
- Typical Admit: ACT 30+ and GPA 3.5+
- Application: Opens August 1 (with UA application)
- Deadline: December 15 for Fellows and Randall (earlier = stronger odds)
🌟 Honors College Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Fellows Experience | Full tuition, housing, $8K enrichment | Freshmen; essays + interview | Yes — Fellows app | Yes (4 yrs) | ~25 admits/year with ACT 33–36, GPA ≥3.9, and proven leadership/service |
| Randall Research Scholars Program | Full tuition + research support | High stats + research focus | Yes — Randall app | Yes | ~25 admits/year with ACT 32–35, strong STEM background, and research experience |
| Blount Scholars Program | Partial housing + seminars | All majors; liberal arts focus | Yes — Blount app | Yes | ~100 admits/year with ACT 28+, GPA 3.5+, and strong writing/essay |
*Award values, admit profiles, and number of recipients are based on published UA data and past cohorts. Exact cutoffs vary year to year depending on the applicant pool and funding.*
- Biology & Pre-Health: Awards begin sophomore year.
- Engineering: First-year and continuing awards via ASAM + College of Engineering.
- Music: Audition-based awards; can stack with merit.
- STEM Teaching: Noyce/APEX awards up to $16K/yr with teaching commitment.
📎 Official Links
✅ Wrapping It Up
Big picture? The University of Alabama makes it straightforward: strong automatic merit for high stats, hidden gems if you know where to look, and nationally recognized programs that can open real doors after graduation. If your student is aiming for business, law, or research, UA has the scholarships and resources to make it work without paying full sticker price. The key is applying early, stacking what you qualify for, and not overlooking the small awards that add up.
Last updated: August 2025