Requirements 

To be considered for academic or leadership scholarship assistance a student must meet unconditional Admissions standards (19 or higher ACT or 990 or higher SAT and 2.0 or better GPA) and apply for admission and scholarship by ​April 15. 

Trustee awards are not available to online students or to international students who are attending UWA through a partnership program or memorandum of agreement with another university or college and/or who have special UWA scholarship provisions.  

Online students can see a list of scholarship awards here.

How to Apply 

To apply for freshman/transfer scholarships from the Admissions office, UWA applicants should fill out the Trustee Scholarship Application found here. (You will need your UWA username and password.) Please email scholarships@uwa.edu if you have any questions about the scholarship application or awarding process. 

Scholarships for Beginning Freshmen 

Trustee Academic Awards  

Awards are made to incoming freshmen (or transfers with less than 24 credit hours) with a 21 or higher ACT/1060 or higher SAT or 3.0 GPA. Scholarships range from $2,000.00 to $12,000.00 per year and are renewable for up to four academic years with the maintenance of a minimum 3.0 GPA. On-campus residency is required for two years to maintain the full value of Trustee scholarships. 

Test Scores 

Tiger Achievement Award 21-22 ACT / 1060- 1120 SAT or 3.00-3.24 GPA $2,000.00 per year 
Counselor’s Award 23-24 ACT / 1130- 1190 SAT or 3.25-3.74 GPA $3,000.00 per year 
Director’s Award 25-26 ACT / 1200- 1250 SAT or 3.75-4.0+ GPA $4,000.00 per year 
Dean’s Award 27-28 ACT / 1260- 1320 SAT  $5,000.00 per year 
President’s Award 29-30 ACT / 1330- 1380 SAT $7,000.00 per year 
Trustee Excellence Award 31-32 ACT / 1390- 1440 SAT $10,000.00 per year 
Trustee Superior Award 33-36 ACT / 1450- 1600 SAT $12,000.00 per year 

Trustee Valedictorian & Salutatorian  

Valedictorian and Salutatorian scholarships are available to on campus freshmen that have been recognized by their high school as one of the top two students in their graduating senior class. Students must meet unconditional admissions standards (19 or higher ACT/990 SAT). On-campus residency is required for the first two years at UWA for recipients. Must submit online UWA Scholarship Application as detailed above. Students can apply through the Trustee Scholarship Application form; once the Admissions Office is able to confirm valedictorian/salutatorian status, the scholarship will be granted. 

Valedictorian & Salutatorian: $2,500.00 per year 

Trustee Leadership Awards 

These awards are available to entering on campus freshmen (or transfer students with less than 24 credit hours) demonstrating outstanding leadership ability as demonstrated through high school, community, or religious activities. Students must have a minimum 19 ACT/990 SAT score or a minimum 2.5 GPA. On-campus residency is required for the first two years at UWA for recipients. Must submit online UWA Scholarship Application as detailed above. Awards vary, up to $2,500.00 per year. Activities that warrant consideration include: 

  • SGA President, Senior Class President, or Club President 
  • Other SGA, Class or Club Officer position 
  • Recognition in the Hugh O’Bryan Youth Scholarship (HOBY) program 
  • Participation as a Distinguished Young Woman 
  • Election as your school’s Boys or Girls State representative 
  • Participation in the Youth Leadership Development Program 

Trustee Legacy Scholarship 

The University of West Alabama Office of Admissions established the Trustee Legacy Scholarship in 2019. The scholarship is appropriately named, as it will perpetuate the legacy of the University of West Alabama tradition by providing scholarships to academically talented freshman and transfer students who are children of UWA/LU graduates.  

Scholarship Criteria

  • Applicants must be the child or stepchild of a graduate of the University of West Alabama (formerly Livingston University). This must be confirmed by the Office of Alumni Affairs before the scholarship is awarded. 
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. 
  • Applicants must be unconditionally accepted into a degree program at the University of West Alabama. 
  • Applicants must enroll full-time in on campus classes.   

What are UWA’s Particular Talent or Ability Scholarships? 

Community College Transfer Scholarships 

UWA is paving the way for community college students to transfer seamlessly and earn academic and housing scholarships at UWA as they continue their studies in pursuit of bachelor’s degrees. UWA has partnerships with community colleges throughout Alabama and Mississippi that allow tailored guidance and support for students from transfer to graduation.

Each agreement allows UWA and the partner school to have a clearly defined transfer process and enhanced communication with students regarding transfer from the community college to UWA. This includes academic advising and scholarship opportunities. Participating schools include Bevill State Community College, Enterprise State Community College, Northwest Shoals Community College and Coastal Alabama Community College in state, and in Mississippi, Meridian Community College, East Mississippi Community College, East Central Community College and Itawamba Community College. A full list can be found here. 

Transfer Scholarship Award Amounts

Transfer Award Transfer GPAAnnual Amount 
Transfer Academic Award 3.00-3.24 GPA $3,000.00 
Transfer Excellence Award 3.25-3.74 GPA $3,500.00 
Presidential Award 3.75-4.00 GPA $4,000.00 
If Phi Theta Kappa, add$2,000.00
If from a Partner School, add$2,000.00
one-time award
In the event you qualify for more than one of the above scholarships, you will be awarded the one which is for the larger amount.

Other UWA Scholarships 

Alumni Scholarships 

UWA Alumni Scholarships are generously funded by our donors to support future and current students pursue their academic endeavors. These scholarships are available to on campus undergraduate students. Alumni scholarships are given according to the guidelines set forth and range from GPA requirements, residency of applicant or specified major.

View our Alumni Scholarships and Application
  • Global Scholars Community Scholarship: Available to High School Seniors (up to $6,000.00) and UWA Freshmen (up to $3,000.00) for travel for those interested in exploring the world at one of UWA’s study abroad partner locations. High School Seniors apply here. UWA Freshmen apply here. Contact Mark Davis at mdavis@uwa.edu. Learn more about UWA Partner schools and locations here.
  • Alabama Power: Available to full-time UWA junior and senior students majoring in Environmental Science. The recipient must be a legal resident of Alabama. Contact the Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at (205) 652-3414. Apply here. 
  • Colquitt Language and Literature Memorial: Amount varies. Contact the Chair of the English and History Department in the College of Liberal Arts at (205) 652-5492.  
  • Kelly Land Writing Competition: $1,000.00 one-time scholarship to entering freshman who has won the Kelly Land writing competition held during the student’s senior year. A $500.00 one-time scholarship will be awarded to the second-place winner. Transfer students are also able to compete in the transfer student division. For more information, and to register, click here.  
  • James Pate History Essay Competition Scholarship: $1,000.00 one-time scholarship to entering freshman who has won the James P. Pate History Essay competition held during the student’s senior year. A $500.00 one-time scholarship will be awarded to the second-place winner. Transfer students are also able to compete in the transfer student division. For more information, and to register, click here.  
  • Darryl Hutcheson Memorial: Amount varies. Available to students majoring in technology in engineering technology. Contact the Chair of the Division of Engineering Technology at (205) 652-3704.  
  • The Julia S. Tutwiler Scholarship Fund is available to deserving on-campus students majoring in education. Miss Tutwiler was an accomplished and innovative educator. As president of the Alabama Normal College, she worked to found what would later become the University of West Alabama. Her contributions are recognized throughout the state, and the UWA College of Education is named in her honor. Two (2) $2,000.00 scholarships will be awarded each year to selected on-campus undergraduate students majoring in education. This scholarship is renewable, but there is no guarantee it will be funded past the year of award. All interested students must complete the open application process each year. To apply for this scholarship, please submit a completed application within the designated dates. For further information, call the College of Education at (205) 652-5426.
  • The Black Belt Leadership Program (BBLP) recognizes 10 outstanding high school graduating seniors who have achieved excellence in leadership. Established in order to develop exceptional leadership skills among promising incoming students, this is more than a scholarship program: BBLP students become integral members of the university community.
  • Black Belt Teacher Corps Teach for Alabama: The Black Belt Teacher Corps Teach for Alabama scholarship program is created to address teacher shortages in Alabama’s Black Belt region, rural Alabama areas and Alabama high-needs public school districts. Learn more about the BBTC Teach for Alabama program here.
  • The Jessica Hill Memorial Marine Biology Scholarship was created in memory of Lt. Hill to promote the education of deserving full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree in Marine Biology in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at The University of West Alabama. The primary goal of the Hill Scholarship is to help defer the cost of attendance during the summer programs at Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL). Apply Here. 
  • Project INSPIRE: Through the NSF-funded INSPIRE scholarship, UWA juniors and seniors majoring in a STEM field and pursuing teacher certification may apply for up to $14,400.00 annually in support. Find more information here.
  • Project REACh: Project REACh (Residencies for Educating Alabama’s Children) is a teacher residency project funded through a matching grant from the United States Department of Education Teacher Quality Partnership. The Project is only open to new Alt. A educators majoring in these programs: Early Childhood (P-3), Elementary (K-6), Early Childhood/Elementary (P-6), Collaborative Special Education (K-6), Collaborative Special Education (6-12), Dual Collaborative Special Education (K-6) and (6-12), Biology (6-12), English/Language Arts (6-12), Mathematics (6-12), General Science (6-12), General Social Science (6-12), History (6-12). Learn more. 
  • The UWA BOSS II scholarship is designed to support students financially and academically to complete their college degree within four years, ultimately leading to a career in biological or environmental sciences or joining graduate or professional schools. Find more information here.  
  • Project EARN scholarships are awarded to full-time students who are accepted to UWA and meet the nursing program admission requirements. More information can be found here.  
  • Theatre Scholarship: Amount varies. Contact Rhonda Faulkner-Wooley, Assistant Professor of Theatre, at rwooley@uwa.edu or (205) 652-3849.

International Student Scholarships

  • International Talent Scholarship: The International Talent Scholarship at UWA covers in-state tuition plus $100, approximately $4650 per term.  Must live on campus and maintain a 3.0 GPA while at UWA.  Three ways to earn the scholarship:
    • Academic: Recipients must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Freshmen requirements include: a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and appropriate entrance exams or English proficiency scores. Transfer requirements: must have a minimum transfer 3.0 GPA.
    • Music: Participation in a music program (choir or band).  Must go through an interview.
    • Language fluency: Fluent in three or more languages, verified through transcripts and an interview.
    • Apply at https://uwa.awardspring.com/.
  • Out-of-State Graduate Student Housing Award: The UWA Graduate Student Housing Award offers $2,500 per semester for up to six semesters to out-of-state or international students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or its international equivalent. Recipients must live on campus at UWA to qualify for this award. This scholarship aims to support the living expenses of eligible graduate students. For more information and to apply for the award, interested students should contact Dr. Mark Davis at mdavis@uwa.edu. 
  • Exceptional International Student Scholarship: The UWA Exceptional International Student Scholarship awards $1,000 per semester for the first two semesters to new international undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence and potential for significant contributions to UWA. Recipients must live on campus and be new to UWA. For more information and to apply, contact Dr. Mark Davis at mdavis@uwa.edu.

Other UWA Scholarships  

Outside UWA Scholarships 

These scholarships require a separate application. Contact information is required.  

  • Allyrae Wallace Educational Trust: Designated for students from Wilcox County, Alabama. Must contact by writing a letter of request (for application) to: Allyrae Wallace Educational Trust, PO Box 433, Camden, AL 36726. 
  • American Legion Auxiliary: For an application, please write to: Executive Secretary, American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Alabama, 120 North Jackson Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. 
  • J. L. Bedsole Scholars Program: A scholarship based on character and leadership. Students must be graduating from an accredited school in the following counties: Mobile, Clarke, Baldwin, Monroe or Washington (graduates of Sweetwater High School are also eligible). For more information, call (334) 432-3369 or email patty@jlbedsolefoundation.org. 
  • Simpson Scholarship: Must be a resident of Wilcox County, AL, and apply between January 1 and March 1 of the year of graduation from high school, Alabama Southern Community College or George Wallace Community College. For more information, visit: www.thesimpsonfoundation.org. 
  • United Daughters of the Confederacy: Must be a lineal descendant of an eligible Confederate (one who served honorably in the Confederate Army, Navy, or Civil Service or who gave Material Aid to the Cause). For more information, visit: www.hqudc.org/Scholarships. 
  • Pursuant to the purpose of The McPhearson Foundation, the Board of Directors has elected to provide an annual scholarship to assist spinal cord injured people in continuing their education. The scholarship may be awarded to a graduating senior or a deserving student already enrolled in a post-secondary school. More information concerning eligibility and criteria for this scholarship can be found The McPhearson Foundation, Inc. application.  
  • Black Warrior Electric Cooperative Foundation Scholarship Program: To qualify, the student must be a graduating high school senior who is the dependent of a BWEMC member. The award is good for four years and can be used for anything that can be purchased through the school tuition, books, room, board, etc. More information can be found here.