2026-2027 SCHOLARSHIPS
Merit-based transfer scholarships are awarded using information from your admission application. An additional scholarship application is not required.
| Transfer Academic Scholarships | Annual Amount (Fall/Spring) | Required GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Excellence Scholarship | $4,000 | 3.5-4.0 |
| Transfer Pathway Scholarship | $2,000 | 3.0-3.49 |
| Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship | Annual Amount (Fall/Spring) | Required GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship* | $3,000 | 3.0-4.0 |
*Stackable with Transfer Excellence or Transfer Pathway; membership must be noted on your official community college transcript, or faculty sponsors may submit a letter to UAB Undergraduate Admissions on school letterhead, verifying your membership. All documentation must be received by the March 1 deadline for fall admits (December 1 deadline for spring admits). Students must transfer directly from a community college to be eligible for this award.
Scholarship Eligibility
- Admitted to UAB – Must be admitted to an undergraduate program at UAB by the scholarship deadline. (Current high school seniors, former UAB students, students who have received a bachelor’s degree, and students pursuing a certificate-only program will not be considered.)
- GPA - Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, including your most recent grades. (An updated, official transcript that contains the most recent semester's grades must be received prior to the scholarship deadline. Non-transferable coursework, such as technical or remedial courses, will not be calculated in GPA.)
- Residency - Students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or onshore students on select visa types. International students who are receiving governmental scholarships or other external support are not eligible to receive this award.
Priority Scholarship Deadlines
- Spring - December 1
- Fall - March 1
Students who apply after the priority deadline will be considered on a funds-available basis.
Transfer Presidential Scholarship
Each year, The University of Alabama at Birmingham proudly welcomes exceptional students who began their college journey at an Alabama Community College. These students bring with them a strong academic foundation that equips them to succeed in the classroom, embrace leadership opportunities, and make a positive impact in their communities.
To recognize and support these outstanding students, UAB offers the Transfer Presidential Scholarship- a competitive award for high-achieving transfer students.
The Transfer Presidential Scholarship provides $6,250 per semester for 4 semesters ($12,500 annually; fall and spring semesters only). This scholarship is not stackable with other transfer merit scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria
Students must be currently enrolled in a community college within the state of Alabama. Students must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to receive this scholarship.
In addition, students must also meet one of the following academic eligibility requirements by February 17, 2026:
UAB Transfer Presidential Scholarship Eligibility
| Transferable GPA Required | Transferable Credit Hours Earned |
|---|---|
| 3.45+ GPA | 48+ credit hours |
| 3.7+ GPA | 42-47 credit hours |
Who is Not Eligible?
The following individuals are not eligible for this scholarship:
- Current high school seniors
- Former UAB students
- Students who have received a bachelor’s degree
- Students pursuing a certificate-only program or a program that requires less than full-time enrollment (e.g. Joint Enrollment Pathway, Nursing Mobility Program)
- Students who have earned credit from a four-year institution, unless they did so while enrolled in high school.
Application Requirements
All application materials must be submitted by February 17, 2026. To apply, students must:
- Complete the 2026–2027 BSMART Application, including the “Transfer Presidential Questions” section
- Upload a resume and at least one letter of recommendation (via the BSMART application)
- Submit an official transcript showing fall 2025 grades
What Happens After Application Submission?
After reviewing applications, the UAB Scholarship Committee will invite select candidates for an interview. Awards are based on a holistic review of the candidate’s transcript, BSMART Application, and interview.
If awarded the scholarship, students must enroll at UAB for fall 2026 as a full-time degree-seeking undergraduate student (minimum 12 UAB undergraduate credit hours). The scholarship cannot be deferred to a future term.
Once a student has accepted the scholarship, the recipient must become an active participant in the UAB Transfer Student Organization and be willing to assist with admissions recruitment events as a Transfer Presidential Scholar.
For questions or more information, please contact your UAB admissions counselor.
ADDITIONAL UAB SCHOLARSHIPS
UAB offers departmental, performance, and more scholarship opportunities to admitted and current students. Students interested in these scholarships should complete the BSMART Scholarship Application in the Blazer Scholarship Management and Resource Tool (BSMART). Completing the application submits student information to multiple departments and units on campus for scholarship consideration. Students can complete the BSMART Application beginning August 1. The BSMART Application submission deadline is April 1. View more details about applying for additional UAB scholarships.