The University of Alabama (UA) Presidential Elite Scholarship is the top automatic merit award for high-achieving out-of-state and international first-time freshmen entering in 2027. If you meet the published grade point average (GPA) and test-score thresholds and submit your admission application with official scores by the priority deadline, you are considered automatically; no separate scholarship form is required for this award.
This guide summarises the official 2027 out-of-state and international freshman scholarship information published by UA Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Always confirm details on the official UA pages before you apply.
Key details
- Host: The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States
- Level: Undergraduate (first-time freshman entry; tuition support can extend for up to four years or eight semesters for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate or law studies under the published award terms)
- Fields of study: Open across UA undergraduate degree programmes (the major listed on your admission application can affect college-level scholarship review)
- Eligible students: Out-of-state and international first-time freshmen (scholarship names and values are identical for both groups)
- Deadline (Summer/Fall 2027): 4 December 2026 (admission application and official score reports)
- Deadline (Spring 2027): 2 November 2026
- Selection: Automatic merit based on a single-test-date ACT composite or SAT total score plus GPA
Funding coverage
According to UA’s official out-of-state and international freshman scholarship page, a Presidential Elite Scholar (4.0+ GPA and 36 ACT or 1600 SAT) receives:
- Value of tuition for up to four years or eight semesters for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate or law studies
- First year of on-campus housing at the regular room rate (based on assignment by Housing and Residential Communities)
- United States Dollar (USD) 1,500 per year supplemental scholarship for four years
- USD 2,000 one-time allowance for research or international study after completing one year of study at UA
UA also publishes a wider automatic merit ladder for out-of-state and international freshmen (for example Presidential, UA Scholar, and other named awards) with yearly values based on ACT/SAT bands and a 3.50+ GPA. Presidential Elite sits at the top of that automatic table.
Eligibility
To be selected as a Presidential Elite Scholar for the 2027 cycle, UA states that you need:
- A 4.0+ high school GPA (GPA considered through the end of junior year for the priority timeline)
- A 36 ACT composite or a 1600 SAT total score from a single test date
- Official ACT or SAT scores sent directly from the testing agency (UA does not use superscores for scholarship purposes)
- Status as an out-of-state or international first-time freshman applicant for a 2027 entry term
International freshmen must also meet UA undergraduate admission requirements, including English language proficiency (or apply for conditional admission through the English Language Institute). Test scores are required for automatic scholarship consideration even when they are optional for admission for some GPA bands.
Programme dates and deadlines
- Spring 2027 entry: Application and official score reports due by 2 November 2026
- Summer or Fall 2027 entry: Application and official score reports due by 4 December 2026
Students who miss the priority deadline may still be considered for scholarships on a funds-available basis. UA also notes an appeal path for extenuating circumstances under its scholarship policy.
How to apply
Automatic merit scholarships, including Presidential Elite, are included in the UA Undergraduate App. You do not submit a separate scholarship application for this automatic award.
- Complete the UA Undergraduate App for your intended 2027 entry term.
- Upload required documents and meet international admission requirements if you are an international applicant (transcripts, visa/immigration documents, and English proficiency as applicable).
- Send official ACT scores (code 0052) or SAT scores (code 1830) so they arrive by the priority deadline.
- After admission, explore additional competitive scholarships in the Alabama Scholarship Award Manager (ASAM) via myBama if you want awards beyond automatic merit.
Review the official out-of-state and international freshman scholarships page and the how to apply for scholarships guide for the latest steps and competitive-scholarship options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Presidential Elite Scholarship fully funded?
It is one of UA’s strongest automatic packages: it covers the value of tuition for up to four years or eight semesters, includes first-year on-campus housing at the regular room rate, and adds a USD 1,500 yearly supplemental award plus a USD 2,000 one-time research or study-abroad allowance after year one. Living costs beyond first-year housing, meals, books, insurance, and travel are still your responsibility unless other aid covers them.
Do international students need a separate scholarship application?
No. For automatic merit awards, completing the UA Undergraduate App and submitting qualifying official test scores and documents by the deadline is enough for consideration. Additional competitive awards may require ASAM after you are admitted.
Does UA accept ACT or SAT superscores for this scholarship?
No. UA states that it does not use superscores for scholarship purposes. Only an official ACT composite or official SAT total from a single test date counts.
Which countries are eligible?
The automatic out-of-state and international freshman table applies to international first-time freshmen as a group. There is no published nationality shortlist on the scholarship page; you must still meet UA international undergraduate admission and visa requirements.
What if I miss the 4 December 2026 deadline?
UA may still consider late applicants for scholarships on a funds-available basis, and appeals for extenuating circumstances are described in UA’s scholarship policy. Priority consideration follows the published dates, so apply early whenever possible.
