The University of Alabama

Grants

Pell Grant

A federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. Pell Grants are awarded to students who are eligible based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The amount you get will also depend on your status as a full-time or part-time student.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest EFC will be considered first for a SEOG. Just like the federal Pell Grant, the SEOG does not have to be repaid.

Academic Competitiveness Grant Program

An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) of $750 for the first academic year of study and $1,300 for the second academic year of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient;
  • Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;
  • Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution;
  • Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student);
  • If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and
  • If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.

Alabama's Promise

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Award recently awarded The University of Alabama a $1 million grant to develop a community college advising program to help low income students in the Black Belt and Appalachia transfer to and graduate from four year institutions. Building on this initiative, The University of Alabama proposes a new need-based financial aid program, Alabama's Promise, to compliment this important work.

UA will guarantee financial aid covering tuition and fees to community college transfers who:

  • Graduate from high school in Alabama;
  • Earn the Associate in Art or Associate in Science Degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 from a community college in Alabama or complete at least 45 hours of general education requirements with a 3.0 QPA;
  • Transfer from the Alabama community college in good standing;
  • Are 25 years of age or younger;
  • Have a family income of $35,000 or less;
  • Complete the FAFSA qualifying for a full Pell Grant.

Students receiving financial support from Alabama's Promise will be expected to enroll in 15 hours required for the degree each semester and to remain in good academic standing. The financial support will normally be provided for four semesters. On a case by case basis, students may receive financial support for two additional semesters if the plan of study requires more than 120 hours and the student is taking the required load and making progress toward the degree.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant Program (SMART)

An eligible student may receive a National SMART Grant of $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient;
  • Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;
  • Be enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution;
  • Major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language; and
  • Have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the coursework required for the student's major.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

The TEACH Grant program is a federal non-need-based grant program that provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are enrolled in an eligible program, maintain a 3.25 GPA, and who commit to teach in a high-need field, at a low-income elementary or secondary school, for at least 4 years within 8 years of completing the program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded. If the grant recipient fails to complete the required teaching service, the TEACH Grant is converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and interest will be charged from the date of original disbursement.

Applicants can be:

  • Undergraduate students admitted to the Teacher Education Program
  • Graduate students pursuing a master's degree
  • Students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program or
  • Current or former teachers or retirees

High-need fields include:

  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Foreign language
  • Bilingual education
  • English language acquisition
  • Special education
  • Reading specialist
  • Other high-need fields documented by local, state or federal governments

View more detailed information about the TEACH Grant Program.