Alumni scholarships are available to on-campus undergraduate students at the University of West Alabama. Eligible students may apply by submitting a completed UWA Alumni Scholarship application. Scholarship amounts vary depending on available funds. Awards from the current application cycle will be granted for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 academic year. Applications are due by February 14th.
To Apply
Applicants must have their UWA username and password, provided upon applying to the University, to access the scholarship application. Students must reapply each year but are not required to resubmit an essay or recommendation letter.
Steps to Apply:
- Log in to the scholarship portal.
- Answer the questionnaire.
- Explore award opportunities by clicking the Scholarships tab.
- Complete any outstanding requirements.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
High school seniors must meet the following criteria to qualify for UWA Alumni Scholarships:
- A cumulative high school GPA of 2.00 or higher.
- A minimum composite ACT score of 17.
- Tentative admission to UWA.
- Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.gov.
A complete UWA Alumni Scholarship Application Packet consists of:
- Scholarship Application
- Personal Essay
- Recommendation Letter
Personal Essay
The personal essay is a critical component of your application, offering the Scholarship Committee a comprehensive view of you. Use this opportunity to demonstrate why you deserve an alumni scholarship. Include your name and student ID in the heading, and ensure your essay is:
- One page, double-spaced.
- Written in 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins.
Your essay may include the following:
- Your educational and career goals.
- Why you selected your major and career path.
- Life experiences influencing your decisions.
- Your anticipated role in society after achieving your goals.
- How the scholarship will aid you or any unusual financial circumstances.
- Extracurricular activities and accomplishments (e.g., honors, awards, community service, student clubs, sports, hobbies).
- Any additional details that present you as the ideal candidate.
Recommendation Letter
Submit one recommendation letter from an individual who can attest to your academic strengths and potential for success. Suitable references include:
- UWA alumni, instructors, academic advisors, counselors, employers, clergy, or respected community members.
Important:
- Parents, relatives, or peers are not valid references.
- Submit the recommendation letter along with your scholarship application packet. Applications without a recommendation letter will be rejected.
- Allow your reference ample time to complete and return the letter before the submission deadline.
Questions?
Contact:
Anna Gaston Johnson
Alumni Engagement and Scholarship Coordinator
(205) 652-3631
ajohnson@uwa.edu
Alumni Chapter Scholarships
Choctaw County
Ernestine L. Lenoir Charitable Trust Scholarships — These scholarships are available to students from Choctaw County, Ala. or students who attended high school in Choctaw County, Alabama.
Choctaw County Alumni Chapter Scholarship — Available to students from Choctaw County, Alabama. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Marengo County
Marengo County Alumni Chapter Scholarship — Available to Marengo County, Ala. incoming freshmen. Must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester.
India L. Shields Memorial Scholarship — Available to Marengo County, Ala. incoming freshmen. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA each semester.
Mobile County
Mobile County Alumni Chapter Scholarship — Available to students from Mobile County, Ala. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Malone Educational Fund Scholarship — Available to students from Mobile and Baldwin Counties, Ala. majoring in elementary education. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA.
Sumter County
Sumter County Alumni Chapter Scholarship — Available to students from Sumter County, Ala. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Gatewood Hatcher Memorial Scholarship — Available to current UWA upperclassmen from Sumter County, Ala. Priority is given to students who graduated from an accredited high school in Sumter County, Alabama. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
McConnell Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen from Sumter County, Ala. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
McLean/ Luke Scholarship — Available to students from Sumter County, Ala. who are currently a UWA Sophomore. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Sarah B. Cunningham Memorial Scholarship — Available to incoming freshman or transfer students from Sumter County, Ala. Must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
Washington County
Cathy G. Odom Scholarship — Available to UWA first-generation college students enrolled in the College of Education from Washington, Clarke, Mobile, or Monroe Counties in Alabama. The student must be of junior or senior status and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Applicants must submit a 1-page essay explaining why they should receive the scholarship.
Wilcox County
Gladys Mason Scholarship — Available to current UWA students from Wilcox County, Ala. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA.
Gordon and Glen Bridges Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen from Wilcox County, Ala. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA.
West Alabama Area
Liza Howard Alumni Chapter Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen from the West Alabama area. Must demonstrate community service, volunteer and leadership experience. Must maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Additional Alumni Scholarships
James P. Homer Memorial Scholarship — Available to all graduating high school seniors. Must show leadership and academic abilities. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA each semester.
Louise Sisk McDaris Scholarship — Available to in-state early childhood education majors only. Must maintain a 2.75 GPA
Tagged for Success Scholarship — Available to UWA junior and senior Alabama residents. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA each semester.
NAA Tiger Legacy Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and whose parent(s) or grandparent(s) is a UWA graduate. Must have a minimum 20 ACT and maintain a 3.0 GPA
Skipper “Fireman” Scholarship – Available to students from Clarke and Washington Counties who are currently enrolled at UWA and work with the Livingston Fire Department. Must maintain a 2.75 grade point average.
Roland and Donna Pugh Scholarship — Available to students who are pursuing a degree within the College of Business and are “Junior” status. Priority will be given to students who wish to pursue an internship (or other form of experiential learning — e.g. job shadowing) from the College of Business. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Academic achievement and financial need are the main criteria used in selecting recipients. Leadership activities will also be taken into consideration.
Dr. Patricia V. Beatty Scholarship — Available to English majors and minors in the MAT, English Education, or Language Arts Comprehensive programs. Students must have at least 30 semester hours credit, attended UWA for at least two semesters prior to application, and have a 2.75 GPA overall and a 3.0 or above GPA in English. Applicants must also submit a one-page essay explaining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
Gregory O. Snow Scholarship — Available to students majoring in Engineering, Mathematics, Nursing or Business, and demonstrating a financial need. Must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicants must also submit a one-page essay explaining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
Lauderdale County Veterans Scholarship — Available to graduates from Waterloo High School in Waterloo, Alabama or a high school in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Preference will be given to incoming freshmen but is available to all students from Lauderdale County, Alabama. Applicants are required to submit an essay and must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
June Crawford Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen, graduating from a public high school, with a recommendation by his/her principal or counselor and demonstrating a financial need. Must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. Applicants must also submit a one-page essay explaining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
Claude G. and Ethel R. Livingston Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen, majoring in Engineering Technology or Business Administration and demonstrating need for financial assistance. Must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA. Applicants must submit an essay explaining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
Judy Livingston Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen, majoring in Business Administration, Finance or Marketing and demonstrating a need for financial assistance. Must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA. Applicants must submit an essay explaining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
A. Gaylen Livingston Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen, majoring in Music and demonstrating a need for financial assistance. Must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA. Applicants must submit an essay explaining why they should be considered for the scholarship.
Terry Bunn Endowed Scholarship — The Terry Bunn Endowed Scholarship will create opportunities for students who strive to be leaders, possess a strong work ethic and demonstrate a desire to serve to follow a solid path to success. This scholarship is available to undergraduates and graduates exhibiting satisfactory academic progress. Family members of employees of any member business or associate members of either the Alabama Road Builders Association or Alabama Asphalt Association are encouraged to apply.
Susan T. Sparkman Endowed Scholarship — Available to incoming freshmen with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and who demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
Dorothy Schug Peterson Scholarship — Available to students entering their sophomore year with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrating the need for financial assistance.
Elizabeth C. Liver Scholarship — Available to current, on campus students with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
Patrick and Sara McGahey Scholarship — Available to UWA athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Willie Mae Dillon Rushing Chemistry Scholarship — Available to Juniors and Seniors majoring in Chemistry.
Snipes Family Scholarship — Available to full-time students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in math, business or environmental science with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Justin Smith Scholarship — Available to Business or Conservation Biology Majors with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.
Student Initiative Scholarship — Available to new UWA students (freshman or transfer) with a grade point average of 2.2 or higher and demonstrating financial need.
T. Raiford Noland Scholarship — Available to students who are enrolled in the College of Business and majoring in Accounting. The recipient must show financial need, be of junior or rising senior status and possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be eligible for consideration.
Ronald Dra Graham Leadership Award — The funds will be administered each year to Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity members based on the criteria of students with the greatest financial need. The scholarship funds will be distributed in March each year, beginning in March 2023.
The John Melton Smith Scholarship Fund — Available to students who meet the following requirements: (a) are residents of Sumter County, Alabama (b) have a grade point average of 2.75 GPA or higher