The state of Alabama is home to several dozen four-year public universities, two-year community colleges, and private undergraduate and graduate universities combined. Whether you’re a high school senior looking at attending an Alabama college or university, or you’re a current college student at one of Alabama’s many institutions, this post highlights several great Alabama scholarships and resources for you to take advantage of.
But first, let's go over some of Alabama's most well-known higher education institutions.
In terms of size, the award for largest campus goes to the University of Alabama located in Tuscaloosa. In the fall of 2021, UA enrolled its largest freshman class in history reporting over 38,000 students.
Leading behind UA in enrollment numbers, we have Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, both of which, in addition to UA, are just three of the four Alabama institutions listed as “Tier 1 national universities” by the US News & World Report.
For the 2021-2022 academic year, UA reported its total cost of attendance at just over $31,000 per year for in-state students and slightly over $50,000 per year for out-of-state students. We’ve got some big numbers on our hands here.
Regardless of which Alabama higher education institution you have in mind, applying for Alabama scholarships of all kinds will be an important step in your college journey. Keep reading for our list of local and private Alabama scholarships!
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31
While our quarterly scholarship is not exclusive to Minnesota students, it’s a great no-essay scholarship to apply for in addition to the scholarships on this list! Open to high school, college, and graduate students of all years. DACA students are also encouraged to apply.
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: Monthly
Details: This monthly scholarship is open to all college students! Just fill out one simple registration form.
Amount: $50,000
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility: The ScholarshipPoints Scholarship is a monthly no essay scholarship open to all high school and college students ages 16 and older, who are US residents!
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors as all undergraduate students
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 30, December 31
Eligibility:Before we get into some of the South Dakota-specific scholarships, check out our very own no-essay scholarship open to high school students of all years!
Amount: $9,000 (renewable!)
Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Open to Alabama women who attend or are planning to attend an Alabama four-year college or university. Must have at least a 2.5 GPA and have documented financial need.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to students who are permanent residents of states with Junior Auxiliary Chapters: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Must be pursuing graduate level studies in a field that addresses the special needs of children and youth.
Amount: $2,000 - $4,000
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who are Alabama residents and are planning to attend an Alabama community college or four-year university in the upcoming fall as college freshmen. Must have demonstrated financial need, at least a 2.75 GPA, and an ACT score of 26 or lower.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to Gadsden high school students.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: The CFNA offers over 25 scholarship opportunities for Alabama high school and college students. Each scholarship has its own separate eligibility and application requirements.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Open to prospective and current Alabama college students at technical colleges, community colleges, and four year universities planning on pursuing a degree in a residential construction-related curriculum. See scholarship page for details on eligible majors/areas of study.
Amount: Varies ($500 - $2,500)
Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: All scholarships are open to Alabama college students who are US residents, accounting majors, and members of the ASCPA. The ASCPA offers a General Scholarship, a Diversity Scholarship (for minority students of various backgrounds), a Financial Need Scholarship, and a CPA Exam Fee Scholarship. See scholarship page for additional eligibility details for each award.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors whose families are members of WinSouth Credit Union. Must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 8
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors from Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, and Marshall counties who are intending to pursue a college degree in a business-related field. Students must be nominated by their school counselors for this scholarship.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Open to Alabama students in the LGBTQ community who are currently attending or planning to attend any higher education institution in the US.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Open to Korean American students with financial need currently attending or planning to attend college in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or Tennessee in the upcoming year. Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Amount: $3,600
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: Open to Alabama high school seniors and college freshmen planning to attend (or currently attending) one of Alabama’s community or technical colleges to major in an automotive/manufacturing related area of study. Minimum 2.5 GPA.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in southwest Alabama. The Community Foundation offers over 40 scholarship funds, each with their own eligibility and application requirements.
The majority of Alabama’s financial aid resources for students comes from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, also commonly referred to as the ACHE. On the ACHE website, here are some of the main pieces of information you will find:
AlabamaWorks! is another great resource for prospective and current Alabama college students. AlabamaWorks! partners with entities such as the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama Career Center System to help students learn about different types of universities, dual enrollment, career success, and much more.
Last, but certainly not least, we have the Alabama Virtual Library. This free resource provides students (as well as teachers and other Alabama citizens) with all types of library resources and information, with a special section on “College and University”. If you’re an Alabama resident, check it out!