The University of Alabama (UA) is committed to supporting international students through a variety of generous scholarship opportunities. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence and provide financial assistance, making education at UA accessible to talented students from around the world.
This guide covers competitive admissions scholarships, automatic merit scholarships, and additional opportunities, along with the steps to apply.
Overview of Scholarship Opportunities
UA offers scholarships tailored for international freshmen, focusing on academic merit and holistic achievements. The process involves applying for admission, completing additional applications via the Alabama Scholarship Award Manager (ASAM), and exploring external options. Below are the details for the 2026 academic year.
Read More:
- Application Call: SheSustains Accelerator 2025-Cohort 3 (Grant Fund & Training Up to $10,000)
- Application Call: $50,000 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025
- Invitation to Apply: WBENC Industry Accelerator Program 2025 for Entrepreneurs (Financing Up to $10,000)
- The British Council £20,000 IAU Enterprise and Innovation Challenge 2025 for university staff members in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa
- Western Carolina University Scholarships for Domestic & International Students (Opening October 1, 2025)
Step 1: Apply for Admission & Scholarships
Your admission application serves as the initial step for many scholarship considerations. As an international freshman, you need to submit:
- A completed application for admission
- An official high school transcript
- An official ACT or SAT score (optional, but recommended for scholarships)
Visit the International Admissions Requirements page for specifics. Scholarships Included in the Admission Application
- All Automatic Merit Scholarships: Awarded based on test scores and GPA.
- Most Competitive Scholarships: Including the UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship and UA Competitive Achievement Scholarship, managed by Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Departmental Scholarships: Offered by the Alumni Association and various colleges/departments.
Check the Scholarships and Financial Aid timeline for deadlines based on your entry term.
2026 International Freshman Automatic Merit Scholarships
These scholarships are automatically awarded upon meeting the criteria:
| Scholarship | Test Score* | GPA | Yearly Value |
| Crimson Legends | 25-26 ACT or 1200-1250 SAT | 3.50+ | $6,000 |
| Capstone | 27 ACT or 1260-1290 SAT | 3.50+ | $8,000 |
| Collegiate | 28 ACT or 1300-1320 SAT | 3.50+ | $10,000 |
| Foundation in Excellence | 29 ACT or 1330-1350 SAT | 3.50+ | $15,000 |
| UA Scholar | 30-31 ACT or 1360-1410 SAT | 3.50+ | $24,000 |
| Presidential | 32-36 ACT or 1420-1600 SAT | 3.50+ | $28,000 |
Presidential Elite
Students with a 4.0+ GPA and a 36 ACT or 1600 SAT qualify for the Presidential Elite Scholar award, which includes:
- Full tuition for up to four years or eight semesters (undergraduate, graduate, or law studies)
- First-year on-campus housing at the regular rate
- $1,500 annual supplemental scholarship for four years
- $2,000 one-time allowance for research or international study (after one year at UA)
Send test scores directly to UA (SAT code: 1830; ACT code: 0052). The optional writing section is not required.
Gap Year Policy
Students taking a gap year may receive scholarships based on the year they would have enrolled. Contact scholarships@ua.edu for prior year details and review the Scholarship Gap Year Policy.
Deadlines
- Spring 2026: December 15 (based on junior year GPA and senior year test scores through December 15)
- Summer/Fall 2026: December 5 priority deadline (based on junior year GPA and senior year test scores through December)
Notifications
Automatic merit scholarship notifications are sent about two weeks after admission or official test score submission.
2026 International UA Competitive Admissions Scholarship
Valued at up to $6,000 for tuition, this award considers academic (GPA, honors) and non-academic (leadership, extracurriculars) factors holistically.
- Deadlines: November 3 (Spring 2026); December 5 (Summer/Fall 2026)
- Notifications: Mid-December (Spring); late February (Summer/Fall, with rolling reviews)
Step 2: Complete Scholarships in Alabama Scholarship Award Manager (ASAM)
Access ASAM via myBama after admission to apply for additional competitive scholarships from the Alumni Association, colleges, and departments. Only eligible scholarships appear, and applications must be completed by:
- December 5 (Summer/Fall 2026)
- November 3 (Spring 2026)
Timely admission ensures sufficient time to complete ASAM applications. See the Scholarships FAQ page for more information.
Step 3: Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Explore these options:
- National Alumni Association Scholarships
- National Merit Scholarships
- Academic Elite Scholarships
- External Scholarships: Including Fulbright, Boren Awards, and Gilman Scholarships (advised through the Capstone International Center)
Application Tips
- Submit all documents early to meet priority deadlines.
- Maintain a 3.50+ GPA and strong test scores for top awards.
- Check English proficiency requirements (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) if applicable.
Conclusion
The University of Alabama provides a robust framework for international freshmen to fund their education through merit-based and competitive scholarships. By following the outlined steps and meeting deadlines, you can unlock significant financial support to thrive at UA. For the latest updates, visit the university’s official scholarship pages.
Visit the Award Webpage for Details: https://afford.ua.edu/scholarships/international/?utm_source=ScholarsWorld
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