Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Tuscaloosa, AL
How students pay for the University of Alabama
Sticker price $33,924 a year. After grants, the average student pays $20,202, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $17,442 to $25,653.
- 77%admitted
- 33,227undergraduates
- 74%graduate
- 66%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $35,342 a year versus $12,484 for Alabama residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
66%grant from University of Alabamaavg $16,096
20%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,422
5%state grantavg $969
37%federal student loanavg $5,310
Scholarships from University of Alabama
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Presidential Scholarship (in-state)Tuition value
Alabama-resident freshmen with ACT 30-36 or SAT 1360-1600 and a 3.50+ GPA.
- Presidential Scholarship (out-of-state)$28,000 a year
Out-of-state and international freshmen with ACT 32-36 or SAT 1420-1600 and a 3.50+ GPA.
- UA Scholar (out-of-state)$24,000 a year
Out-of-state and international freshmen with ACT 30-31 or SAT 1360-1410 and a 3.50+ GPA.
- Presidential Elite ScholarshipTuition for up to 4 years, first-year housing, $1,500 a year, and a one-time $2,000 research or study-abroad allowance
Freshmen with a 36 ACT or 1600 SAT and a 4.0+ GPA.
- Automatic merit tiers (Recognition to Foundation in Excellence)$4,000 to $9,000 a year in-state; $6,000 to $15,000 a year out-of-state
Freshmen with at least a 3.00 GPA and an ACT of 24+ or SAT of 1160+ (in-state), or 3.50 GPA and ACT 25+ / SAT 1200+ (out-of-state); amount rises with score.
- Alabama Advantage ScholarshipUp to $5,000 of remaining in-state tuition
Alabama residents with financial need.
- Alabama Prestige ScholarshipTuition and first-year housing
At least one student from each Alabama high school, chosen for academic and non-academic achievement; reviewed holistically from the admission application.
- UA Competitive Achievement ScholarshipTuition, housing and $1,000 a year
Freshmen with national distinction in their intended field, chosen by holistic review of the admission application.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Alabama
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)
$300 to $5,000 a year; your college sets the amount
Who qualifies: Alabama residents with financial need working on a first undergraduate degree at a participating Alabama college.
How: File the FAFSA. Participating colleges award it from state funds; no state deadline is published, so file early and ask your aid office for its own date.
Official rules →State grant · Alabama
Alabama Student Grant Program
Up to $3,000 a year; the amount changes each year with available funds
Who qualifies: Alabama residents at one of the eligible private (independent) Alabama colleges, such as Samford, Faulkner or Huntingdon. It is not need-based.
How: Get the 2026–27 application from your college's financial aid office and return it there by the deadline printed on the form.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Tuscaloosa
| Studio | $930/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $940/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $560/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 35487. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Alabama
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 6 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: Alabama has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage applies. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$21,500median federal debt≈ $244/month over 10 years
$66,081median earnings10 years after enrolling
74%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Alabama
What scholarships does University of Alabama offer?
Presidential Scholarship (in-state) (Tuition value); Presidential Scholarship (out-of-state) ($28,000 a year); UA Scholar (out-of-state) ($24,000 a year); Presidential Elite Scholarship (Tuition for up to 4 years, first-year housing, $1,500 a year, and a one-time $2,000 research or study-abroad allowance); Automatic merit tiers (Recognition to Foundation in Excellence) ($4,000 to $9,000 a year in-state; $6,000 to $15,000 a year out-of-state). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Alabama really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $20,202 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $17,442 to $25,653. The full cost of attendance before aid is $33,924.
Does University of Alabama give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 66% of first-year students received a grant from University of Alabama itself, averaging $16,096. 20% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,422).
How much is rent near University of Alabama?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (35487) is $940 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,120 for a two-bedroom, about $560 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Alabama?
Yes. The minimum wage in Alabama is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do University of Alabama graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $21,500, about $244 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $66,081.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with The University of Alabama. How these pages work.
More in Alabama: All colleges in Alabama →