Weaving scholarships in Alabama into your financial aid package can help you soften the impact of rising tuition costs within the “Cotton State.”
Sandwiched between Georgia and Mississippi in the Deep South, Alabama is America’s 30th most-extensive state and home to nearly 4.84 million. College students could be drawn to Alabama’s:
- 60 miles of Gulf Coast beaches
- heated football rivalries
- rich civil rights history
- Southern hospitality
- home-style cuisine
- natural landmarks like Lookout Mountain
Alabama also offers its over 204,900 full-time students access to 73 SACS-accredited schools. Some top-notch options include:
- Troy University
- Spring Hill College
- Samford University
- Judson College
- University of Montevallo
In fact, Auburn University is the country’s 43rd top public school on the U.S. News rankings.
Cultivate tuition dollars to attend your dream Alabama college with these 20 scholarships.
Top Options for Scholarships in Alabama
1. Alabama Horse Council Scholarships
Deadline: December 30th
The Alabama Horse Council awards two $1,000 scholarships each year. They support individual AHC members or their sons and daughters who are pursuing accredited, in-state higher education, including veterinary school. Qualified candidates must:
- hold a high school diploma or GED
- select majors relevant to the equine industry
- attach two reference letters
- write a 500-word essay about how horses shaped their lives
Also check out the Cowboy Tag Scholarship and Horse Fair Scholarship.
Contact
Alabama Horse Council Scholarships
P.O. Box 553
Columbiana, AL 35051
(205) 678-2882
info@alabamahorsecouncil.org
2. ASCPA Financial Need Scholarships
Deadline: March 10th
The Alabama Society of CPAs Financial Need Scholarships are valued at $2,500 each. They’re awarded to college undergrads who have at least one year remaining in an accredited accounting major in Alabama. Successful applicants will:
- have significant economic barriers
- carry a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
- have finished Financial/Intermediate Accounting I and II courses
- matriculate for 12+ credits per year
- plan to take the Uniform CPA exam for public accounting practice.
Contact
ASCPA Financial Need Scholarships
1041 Longfield Court
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 386-5752
dchristy@ascpa.org
3. Birdsong Peanuts Scholarship Fund
Deadline: February 8th
The National FFA Organization manages over 1,800 scholarships for $2.2 million total each year. They include the Birdsong Peanuts Scholarship Fund. This $1,000, merit-based award helps Future Farmers of America members residing in:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
They must have a background in peanut production. Eligibility criteria includes:
- being under age 23
- enrolling full-time at an accredited U.S. college
- pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture or agribusiness
- having unmet financial need.
Contact
Birdsong Peanuts Scholarship Fund
1410 King Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-5889
Scholarships@ffa.org
4. CollegeCounts Alabama Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Alabama Office of State Treasurer offers the CollegeCounts Scholarship. It’s for $2,000 to two-year and $4,000 to four-year college attendees across the “Heart of Dixie.” Interested candidates must:
- gain freshman admission at accredited, nonprofit Alabama colleges
- have U.S. citizenship
- achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
- reach a minimum ACT of 26
- display financial need on the FAFSA
The Treasury also oversees the CollegeCounts 529 Savings Plans for tuition.
Contact
CollegeCounts Alabama Scholarship
600 Dexter Avenue, Room S-106
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 242-7515
collegecounts@applyists.com
5. Dr. Bernard J. Schroer Scholarship
Deadline: March 8th
The Dr. Bernard J. Schroer Scholarship awards $750 per semester or $1,500 annually from the Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive Manufacturing. It helps reduce tuition at in-state, member schools. Chosen recipients must:
- be Alabama residents
- finish a high school diploma or GED
- have an overall GPA of 2.5 or greater
- have automotive manufacturing career objectives
Accepted majors include:
- engineering technology
- injection molding
- machine shop technology
- mechatronics
- welding.
Contact
Dr. Bernard J. Schroer Scholarship
1001 George Wallace Drive
P.O. Box 227
Gadsden, AL 36902
(256) 439-6870
mdavis@gadsdenstate.edu
6. Ed Wadsworth Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: December 1st
Organized in 1944, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association sponsors 13 scholarships in Alabama like the $1,500 Ed Wadsworth Memorial Scholarship. It’s intended for full-time juniors and seniors enrolled as animal science majors in Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. They must have with a minimum overall 3.0 GPA and a history of leadership in the livestock industry.
Eligible ACA members could also earn the Outstanding Junior Cattleman Scholarship or Cecil Lane Family Scholarship.
Contact
Ed Wadsworth Memorial Scholarship
201 S. Bainbridge Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 265-1867
mtmcgraw@bellsouth.net
7. Fostering Hope Scholarship Program
Deadline: None
The Fostering Hope Scholarship Program is affiliated with the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association. It’s available on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s to help cover college tuition and fees at Alabama’s 42 public community colleges and universities. Funding is reserved for high school graduates and GED recipients who aged out of the foster care system or were adopted after their 14th birthday. Youth must have net personal assets under $30,000 to qualify.
Contact
Fostering Hope Scholarship Program
1091 County Road 1659
Cullman, AL 35058
(888) 545-2372
afapa@afapa.org
8. Helen Wilson Leadership Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Alabama State Nurses’ Association Foundation annually awards the Helen Wilson Leadership Scholarship for $1,000. It’s to support two in-state residents who are pursuing ACEN or CCNE accredited associate and bachelor’s education in nursing. Prospective RNs must:
- have resided in Alabama for one year
- verify a minimum 3.5 GPA overall
- have completed 12+ nursing credits
- display potential for clinical advancement
Applications must include:
- a transcript
- head-shot photo
- two recommendation forms.
Contact
Helen Wilson Leadership Scholarship
360 N. Hull Street
Montgomery AL 36104
(334) 262-8321
charlenerasna@alabamanurses.org
9. Jackson Family Phoenix Fund Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Central Alabama Community Foundation manages 114 funds totaling $172,300 each year. They include the Jackson Family Phoenix Fund Scholarship. It’s designed for public high school seniors in Montgomery and Lowndes County. They will attend an HBCU full-time to study non-healthcare sciences, such as:
- chemistry
- mathematics
- horticulture
- biology
At minimum, recipients need a:
- cumulative GPA of 3.0
- ACT score of 20
- SAT score of 1200.
Contact
Jackson Family Phoenix Fund Scholarship
35 S. Court Street, 2nd Floor
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 264-6223
jackie.johnson@cacfinfo.org
10. J.L. Bedsole Baccalaureate Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
Fully funded in 1975 after the First National Bank of Mobile director’s death, the J.L. Bedsole Foundation offers the Baccalaureate Scholarship for up to $6,000 yearly. Eligible to apply are graduating high school seniors in the South Alabama counties of:
- Mobile
- Baldwin
- Clarke
- Monroe
- Washington
- Marengo
Other qualifications include:
- having a minimum 2.5 GPA
- scoring at least 21 on the ACT
- having an EFC below $9,000
- completing 60+ hours of community service.
Contact
J.L. Bedsole Baccalaureate Scholarship
P.O. Box 1137
Mobile, AL 36633
(251) 432-3369
patty@jlbedsolefoundation.org
11. Kirk Kirkland Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
Ranging from $500 to $1,500, the Kirk Kirkland Memorial Scholarship is gifted by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. It’s to encourage college students taking courses in:
- hospitality
- tourism
- culinary arts
- food service management
Suitable candidates would:
- legally reside in Alabama
- attend an accredited two- or four-year college
- produce a transcript displaying a 2.5 GPA or greater
- exhibit leadership skills
- submit a recommendation from a hospitality industry employer.
Contact
Kirk Kirkland Memorial Scholarship
3 S. Jackson Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 244-1320
12. Linly Heflin Scholarship Program
Deadline: January 9th
Since 1923, the Linly Heflin Scholarship Program has financially bolstered over 3,000 women attending SACS-accredited, four-year colleges in Alabama. After the January deadline, 20 to 25 ladies are chosen to receive $4,000 annually for $16,000 total. Accepted applicants must:
- have graduated from an Alabama high school
- have documented academic proficiency with a minimum 2.5 GPA
- matriculate for 12+ hours per term
- score above 23 on the ACT exam.
Contact
Linly Heflin Scholarship Program
13 Office Park Circle
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 871-8171
linlyheflinscholarship@gmail.com
13. Moselle Cummings Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
The Alabama Library Association offers the Moselle Cummings Memorial Scholarship. It awards $1,000 annually to post-bachelor’s students who are building librarianship careers. Prospective applicants must have a quality point average above 3.0 and score at least 300 on the revised GRE test. They must gain admission into the University of Alabama’s:
- Master of Library and Information Studies program
- Master of Fine Arts in Book Arts program
- PhD in Library Science program.
Contact
Moselle Cummings Memorial Scholarship
6030 Monticello Drive
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 414-0113
allibraryassoc@gmail.com
14. Patrick W. Kelly College Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
The Patrick W. Kelly College Scholarship is presented by the Government Finance Officers Association of Alabama. The $1,000 to $3,000 award helps support full-time college sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in public finance careers. Qualified winners must:
- be U.S. citizens
- attend an accredited four-year Alabama college
- major in finance or related business fields
- maintain a minimum B average
- have internship or part-time work experience in government.
Contact
Patrick W. Kelly College Scholarship
P.O. Box 240574
Montgomery, AL 36124
(334) 501-7234
kjames@auburnalabama.org
15. Reverend Frank Lee Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: January 15th
The National Federation of the Blind’s Alabama Chapter awards the Reverend Frank Lee Memorial Scholarship. It’s for $1,000 to support legally blind young adults with central visual acuity of 20/200 or less. Eligible Alabama residents must enroll full-time with good academic standing in an accredited post-secondary program in-state.
Alabamans also qualify for national NFB opportunities like the $12,000 Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship and $8,000 Oracle Scholarship for STEM Excellence.
Contact
Reverend Frank Lee Memorial Scholarship
116 Deer Chase Drive
Chelsea, AL 35043
(423) 827-5628
nfb.aabs@gmail.com
16. Smith Scholarship Foundation
Deadline: January 15th
The Smith Scholarship Foundation was founded by J. Craig and Page T. Smith. It offers up to 20 top-dollar awards of $12,500 to $15,000 each year. Eligible to apply are graduating Alabama high school seniors who will pursue college education this Fall. Interested 12th graders must:
- carry a minimum C+ average
- give back with volunteer work or civic leadership
- submit a financial need analysis
Priority is given to minorities and first-generation college students.
Contact
Smith Scholarship Foundation
400 Caldwell Terrace
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 202-4076
ahrian@jcraigsmithfoundation.org
17. Spann-Freeman Fine Arts Scholarship
Deadline: March 28th
The Arts Association of East Alabama awards three Alabama scholarships by audition, including the $1,000 Spann-Freeman Fine Arts Scholarship. Applicants must:
- reside in Lee County
- rank in the upper 50th percent of their graduating class
- gain admission at an accredited U.S. college
- intend to participate in fine arts study
- submit two recommendation forms
Eligibility criteria is the same for the Tom Woodward Visual Arts and Earl Peacock Fine Arts Scholarships.
Contact
Spann-Freeman Fine Arts Scholarship
1103 Glenn Avenue
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 749-8105
scholarships@eastalabamaarts.org
18. Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
The Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by Airgas South. It honors an 11-year Birmingham employee. It grants $2,500 annually from the American Welding Society to support undergrads from:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
Selected applicants must:
- be at least 18
- hold a high school diploma or GED
- attend an ABET-accredited college full-time
- major in welding engineering
- have experience in the industrial gas industry
- have a cumulative GPA above 2.8.
Contact
Terry Jarvis Memorial Scholarship
8669 NW 36 Street, Suite 130
Miami, FL 33166
(305) 443-9353
adavis@aws.org
19. The A. Earl Potts Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 31st
The Alabama Baptist Convention State Board of Missions offers the A. Earl Potts Scholarship Fund. It honors the former Executive Director by covering at least 12.5 percent of tuition for active Church members. Faithful Alabama residents must be accepted as full-time freshmen at one of these:
- Samford University
- Judson College
- the University of Mobile
They must have a minimum 2.0 GPA overall and a pastor’s recommendation.
Contact
The A. Earl Potts Scholarship Fund
2001 East South Blvd.
P.O. Box 11870
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 613-2233
bbailey@alsbom.org
20. Wood Fruitticher Grocery Co. Scholarship
Deadline: February 10th
The Alabama Dietetic Association offers the Wood Fruitticher Grocery Co. Scholarship. The $1,000 award supports college juniors, seniors, or graduate students attending ADA-accredited Alabama colleges. Eligible members must be pursuing a B.S. or M.S. degree in:
- food science
- nutrition
- dietetics
- food systems management
The must be enrolling full-time with a minimum major GPA of 3.0.
Other opportunities include the William E. Smith and Royal Cup Coffee Scholarships.
Contact
Wood Fruitticher Grocery Co. Scholarship
P.O. Box 240757
Montgomery, AL 36124
(334) 260-7970
alda@gmsal.com
Soaring into post-secondary education in the “Yellowhammer State” often requires nesting extra cash. For the 2016-17 academic year, Alabama colleges charged an average tuition price of $6,113 for in-state and $13,547 for out-of-state residents. Costs can grow drastically higher with room and board, especially at private institutions. For instance, Alabamans at Birmingham Southern College are billed $52,170 total each year before financial aid.
Check out these scholarships in Alabama as well as state-based funds like the Alabama Student Grant and Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program.
GCD Staff
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This concludes our coverage of top scholarships in Alabama to reduce your college bill.