The University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship 2027 provides automatic merit funding to high-achieving first-time undergraduate students. International and out-of-state applicants receive consideration through their undergraduate admission application.
Accuracy note: The regular Presidential Scholarship is not fully funded. It provides $28,000 per year to eligible international and out-of-state students. The Presidential Elite Scholarship covers tuition and selected additional benefits, but it does not cover every study and living expense.
The university’s published deadline for Summer and Fall 2027 applicants is December 4, 2026. The supplied date of December 15, 2026, is not the current Fall 2027 scholarship deadline.
University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship 2027 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship provider | The University of Alabama |
| Scholarship names | Presidential and Presidential Elite |
| Study level | Undergraduate, first-time freshman |
| Study location | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States |
| Eligible applicants | Out-of-state and international first-time freshmen |
| Regular Presidential award | $28,000 per year |
| Presidential Elite award | Tuition plus selected housing and supplemental benefits |
| Regular Presidential GPA | Minimum 3.50 |
| Regular Presidential test score | SAT 1420–1600 or ACT 32–36 |
| Presidential Elite requirements | GPA 4.0 or higher with SAT 1600 or ACT 36 |
| Application type | Automatic merit consideration through admission application |
| Summer/Fall 2027 deadline | December 4, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 deadline | November 2, 2026 |
| Deadline time and timezone | Not published by the university |
| Application fee | $50 for international and out-of-state applicants |
| Nationality restriction | No excluded nationality is listed |
| Official application | UA Undergraduate Application |
What Is the University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship?
The Presidential Scholarship is part of the University of Alabama’s automatic merit scholarship programme.
The university determines eligibility using an applicant’s high school GPA and official SAT or ACT score. A separate Presidential Scholarship application is not required.
International and out-of-state first-time freshmen follow the same scholarship table. Alabama residents have a separate table with different award values and test-score thresholds.
The university publishes two similarly named awards:
- Presidential Scholarship
- Presidential Elite Scholarship
These awards have different academic requirements and funding levels. The official 2027 scholarship page confirms the current values and eligibility thresholds.
Presidential Scholarship Benefits
Regular Presidential Scholarship
International and out-of-state students must have:
- A minimum 3.50 high school GPA
- An SAT score between 1420 and 1600, or
- An ACT composite score between 32 and 36
Eligible students receive $28,000 per year.
The 2027 scholarship page identifies this as a yearly award. It does not clearly restate the maximum renewal period for the regular Presidential Scholarship. Applicants should check the duration stated in their individual scholarship offer.
Presidential Elite Scholarship
Students must have:
- A GPA of 4.0 or higher
- A perfect 1600 SAT score or 36 ACT composite score
Presidential Elite Scholars receive:
- The value of tuition for up to four years or eight semesters
- First-year on-campus housing at the regular room rate
- A $1,500 supplemental scholarship each year for four years
- A one-time $2,000 allowance for research or international study after completing one year at UA
The four annual supplements total $6,000. The separate $2,000 allowance must support eligible research or international study expenses.
A perfect SAT or ACT score alone does not qualify an applicant for Presidential Elite. The applicant must also have a GPA of at least 4.0.
Is the University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship Fully Funded?
No. The regular Presidential Scholarship is a substantial partial scholarship for international and out-of-state students.
For context, the university’s 2026–2027 estimated cost of attendance for an out-of-state undergraduate living on campus is:
- Tuition and fees: $36,724
- Housing: $10,000
- Food: $5,478
- Total direct costs: $52,202
- Total estimated cost of attendance: $60,400
A $28,000 Presidential Scholarship would leave about $8,724 against the published tuition-and-fee amount. The remaining total estimated cost would be about $32,400 before other scholarships or financial support.
These figures are an illustration based on the university’s 2026–2027 cost of attendance. Costs for 2027–2028 have not yet been published and are likely to differ.
Presidential Elite is better described as a full-tuition-plus scholarship. It includes tuition, first-year housing and supplemental funding. It is still not a full cost-of-attendance scholarship.
Expenses the Scholarship Does Not Fully Cover
Regular Presidential Scholarship recipients should budget for:
- The tuition and fee amount above the $28,000 award
- On-campus or private housing
- Meal plans and food
- Books and academic supplies
- Local and international transportation
- Personal expenses
- Health insurance, where required
- Visa and SEVIS charges
- SAT, ACT or English-test expenses
- International transcript evaluation fees
- The $50 university application fee
Presidential Elite recipients should still plan for:
- Food and meal plans
- Housing after the first year
- Books and supplies
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Visa and immigration costs
- Charges outside the university’s definition of tuition
- Housing costs above the regular room rate
Applicants should rely on their official scholarship letter for the final list of covered charges.
University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship Eligibility
An international or out-of-state applicant must:
- Apply as a first-time, main-campus freshman
- Complete secondary or high school before enrolment
- Meet the University of Alabama’s admission requirements
- Hold a minimum 3.50 GPA for the regular Presidential award
- Hold a minimum 4.0 GPA for Presidential Elite
- Submit a qualifying SAT or ACT score
- Send official scores directly from the testing agency
- Submit the admission application and supporting documents by the relevant deadline
The university considers the GPA recorded after completion of the applicant’s junior year. International applicants educated outside the United States need a course-by-course transcript evaluation with a GPA calculation.
No nationality exclusions appear on the international scholarship page. Students from any country are eligible to seek admission and scholarship consideration. Eligibility does not guarantee admission until UA completes its review.
SAT and ACT Rules
Official scores are compulsory for all automatic merit scholarships, including Presidential and Presidential Elite.
UA applies these rules:
- SAT scores must come from one test date.
- ACT composite scores must come from one test date.
- UA does not use superscores for scholarship decisions.
- Self-reported scores are insufficient for the final scholarship review.
- The testing agency must send the official score.
- SAT scores should use UA code 1830.
- ACT scores should use UA code 0052.
Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher might not need a test score for 2027 admission. They still need an official SAT or ACT score for an automatic Presidential Scholarship.
Required Documents
International freshman applicants should prepare:
- A completed UA Undergraduate Application
- A valid email address
- The $50 non-refundable application fee
- Official secondary or high school academic records
- A course-by-course NACES-member evaluation with GPA calculation for education completed outside the United States
- Certified English translations when records are not in English
- An official SAT or ACT score report
- Proof of English-language proficiency
- Relevant passport, visa or immigration documents
- Financial documents needed for an I-20 or other applicable immigration document
Students who graduated from high school six or more months earlier must also provide a short statement explaining their academic or other activities during the gap period.
The international freshman admission requirements explain the transcript evaluation, English-language and immigration requirements.
UA does not list a separate essay, recommendation letter or scholarship form for the automatic Presidential awards. Other competitive scholarships available through the Alabama Scholarship Award Manager might request additional information.
Selection Process
The Presidential and Presidential Elite awards are automatic merit scholarships.
UA checks:
- Whether the student qualifies as an eligible first-time freshman.
- Whether the application and supporting documents arrived on time.
- The GPA after completion of junior year.
- The official SAT total or ACT composite score from one test date.
- Whether the student received admission to the university.
The regular Presidential Scholarship requires a minimum 3.50 GPA and a qualifying score.
Presidential Elite requires both a 4.0 or higher GPA and a perfect SAT or ACT score.
The automatic award does not use a separate interview or scholarship competition. Admission remains a separate decision.
Summer and Fall applicants who meet the priority deadline should receive automatic merit scholarship information in early February, according to the university’s scholarship FAQ.
Scholarship Duration and Renewal Requirements
Presidential Elite tuition funding lasts for up to four years or eight semesters. Its $1,500 annual supplement also lasts for four years. The housing benefit applies only to the first year.
The regular Presidential Scholarship page states a yearly value of $28,000 but does not clearly confirm its maximum duration on the 2027 award table. Students should verify the number of funded semesters in their offer letter.
To retain automatic merit funding, recipients must:
- Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative UA GPA
- Earn at least 67 percent of all attempted UA credit hours
- Follow the Student Code of Conduct
- Follow the Academic Honor Code
UA reviews scholarship standing after each semester. Full renewal and appeal rules appear in the university’s undergraduate scholarship policies.
How to Apply for the University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship
Step 1: Check Your Applicant Category
You must apply as a first-time freshman. Transfer and currently enrolled students follow different scholarship rules.
Step 2: Complete the SAT or ACT
Take the test early enough for the testing agency to send your official score before the deadline.
UA does not accept superscores for automatic scholarship selection.
Step 3: Arrange Your Academic Records
Ask your school to issue official transcripts.
Applicants educated outside the United States should order a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-member agency. Request a GPA calculation and an English translation when necessary.
Step 4: Apply for Undergraduate Admission
Complete the application through the official University of Alabama application page.
International students should use the UA Undergraduate Application. The application opened on August 3, 2026, for 2027 entry.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
International and out-of-state applicants must pay a non-refundable $50 fee.
Step 6: Send Official Test Scores
Ask the College Board or ACT to send your score directly to UA.
- SAT code: 1830
- ACT code: 0052
Step 7: Submit Every Supporting Document
An application is not complete until UA receives the required supporting materials. Uploading the application on the deadline while transcripts or scores remain missing risks losing priority consideration.
Step 8: Monitor Your Portal and Email
Check your application portal and Crimson email for:
- Missing document requests
- Admission updates
- Scholarship information
- Additional scholarship opportunities through ASAM
University of Alabama Scholarship Deadline 2027
The verified deadlines are:
- Spring 2027 entry: November 2, 2026
- Summer and Fall 2027 entry: December 4, 2026
All application materials and official score reports should reach UA by the deadline. The official financial aid timeline confirms December 4 as the Summer and Fall 2027 priority deadline.
The university has not published a deadline time or timezone. Do not assume the portal will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Submit the complete application at least two weeks early.
Applicants who miss the priority deadline receive scholarship consideration only when funding remains available. Late consideration is not guaranteed.
Practical Application Tips
- Order your transcript evaluation early. International evaluations often take several weeks.
- Do not rely on a self-reported SAT or ACT score.
- Confirm that the testing agency sent your score successfully.
- Review your application before submission. UA does not allow changes to the Awards and Experience section after submission.
- Use the same name and date of birth across your passport, application, transcripts and test records.
- Keep proof of every document submission.
- Budget for costs outside the scholarship before accepting admission.
- Treat your official scholarship letter as the final authority on duration and covered charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship fully funded?
No. The regular international and out-of-state Presidential Scholarship provides $28,000 per year. It does not cover the full cost of attendance.
Is Presidential Elite fully funded?
Presidential Elite covers tuition and includes first-year housing, annual supplemental funding and a research or international-study allowance. Food, later-year housing, travel, books and personal expenses remain outside its published benefits.
Are international students eligible?
Yes. The University of Alabama includes international first-time freshmen in its 2027 automatic merit scholarship table. No excluded nationalities are listed.
Is a separate scholarship application required?
No. The UA Undergraduate Application includes automatic merit scholarship consideration.
Do I need an SAT or ACT score?
Yes. An official SAT or ACT score is mandatory for Presidential and Presidential Elite consideration.
Does UA accept SAT or ACT superscores?
No. UA uses the official score from a single test date for automatic scholarships.
What score is required for Presidential Elite?
You need either a 1600 SAT or a 36 ACT, plus a GPA of at least 4.0.
What is the Fall 2027 deadline?
The priority deadline is December 4, 2026. December 15, 2026, is not the verified Summer or Fall 2027 scholarship deadline.
What is the deadline timezone?
UA does not state a submission time or timezone on the official scholarship timeline. Submit well before the deadline.
What happens if I apply late?
UA reviews late applicants for automatic merit scholarships only when funds remain available. Priority consideration is not guaranteed.
Are transfer students eligible for this award?
This automatic Presidential Scholarship table applies to first-time freshmen. Transfer students should review UA’s separate transfer scholarship options.
When will scholarship results be released?
Summer and Fall freshmen should receive automatic merit scholarship information in early February.
