The University of Alabama First-Gen Scholars program offers support and scholarship awards to selected first-generation students.
First-Gen Scholars is a highly competitive program, and a limited number of scholarship awards are available each year.
First Generation Scholarship students each fall semester, scholarship award winners come into the University as a cohort through First-Gen Scholars. Each cohort benefits from deeper relationships with UA faculty and staff, meaningful undergraduate engagement, upper-class student mentors and additional resources to help fund experiential opportunities. Students in the cohort attend an extended orientation and take the same General Studies freshman compass course focused on the first-gen identity and transition to college. The cohort remains together throughout their first year through on- and off-campus connection events, with continued opportunity for engagement into the second year and beyond.
Click the boxes below to learn more about each scholarship.
Annexstad Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship
Established in 2000 by Al and Cathy Annexstad, the Annexstad Family Foundation aims to support deserving young individuals in achieving their college education aspirations. Through the Leaders for Tomorrow National Scholarship Program, the Foundation targets exceptionally bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have triumphed over significant adversity. Collaborating with The University of Alabama's Honors College, the program provides recipients access to a wide range of academic opportunities. Recipients are selected through a competitive interview process during their senior year of high school, exclusively available to incoming first-year, in-state students.
The scholarship is renewable for four years, if recipients meet the renewal requirements set forth by UA and AFF.
- Students who are nominated for the Leaders for Tomorrow Scholarship must:
- Be a first generation student, defined as a student whose parents have neither more than two years of post-secondary (after high school) education nor a post-secondary degree.
- Be an Alabama resident.
- Demonstrate high financial need as defined by the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Present an inspiring story of triumph over significant personal hardship, e.g., loss of one or both parents, independent status, disability, abuse, severe illness or injury etc.
- Steps for High School Seniors:
- Complete the UA Scholarship Application by January 15. Be sure to check the box that indicates you are interested the university’s first generation scholarship programs and complete the attached first generation scholarship program essay questions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
- Participate in an interview with the Selection Panel in the spring semester.
- Students selected as Leaders for Tomorrow Scholars are expected to:
- Enroll in a designated general studies course during the fall semester.
- Attend an approved extended orientation.
- Participate in all required activities, programs, and service projects.
- Meet regularly with the First Generation Scholarships program manager.
Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship
Each spring, an incoming freshman is selected as a Coca-Cola First Generation Scholar at The University of Alabama. The student is selected through a competitive interview process during their senior year of high school. This scholarship program is available only to incoming first year, in-state students.
The scholarship is renewable for four years, if recipients maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Students who apply for the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship must:
- Be a first generation student, defined as a student whose parents have neither more than two years of post-secondary (after high school) education nor a post-secondary degree
- Be an Alabama resident
- Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Demonstrate financial need
- Application Steps for High School Seniors:
- Complete the UA Scholarship Application by January 15. Be sure to check the box that indicates you are interested the university’s first generation scholarship programs and complete the attached first generation scholarship program essay questions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
- Participate in an interview with the Selection Panel in the spring semester.
- Students selected as Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars must:
- Enroll in a designated general studies course during the fall semester.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Participate in all required activities, programs and service projects.
- Meet regularly with the First Generation Scholarships program manager.
The Saban First in Family Scholarship
The Saban First in Family Scholarships are awarded to students who are the first in their family to attend college.
First Generation students become “game changers” for their families and their entire communities providing inspiration, hope and new beginnings. These scholarships literally transform the lives of the recipients, not only by providing financial assistance but by recognizing their hard work and dedication to academics, leadership and service.
Each spring, a cohort of first year students is selected as Saban First in Family Scholarship recipients at The University of Alabama. Students are selected through a competitive interview process during their senior year of high school. The application process is limited to incoming first year, in-state freshman students.
The scholarship is renewable for four years, if recipients maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Students who apply for the Saban First in Family Scholarship must:
- Be a first generation student, defined as a student whose parents have neither more than two years of post-secondary (after high school) education nor a post-secondary degree.
- Be an Alabama resident.
- Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Application Steps for High School Seniors:
- Complete the UA Scholarship Application by January 15. Be sure to check the box that indicates you are interested the university’s first generation scholarship programs and complete the attached first generation scholarship program essay questions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
- Participate in an interview with the Selection Panel in the spring semester.
- Selected students must:
- Enroll in a designated general studies course during the fall semester.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Participate in all required activities, programs and service projects.
- Meet regularly with the First Generation Scholarships program manager.
Elizabeth Wilson Moore & Jackson Watts Moore First Generation Scholars Endowed Scholarship
The Elizabeth Wilson Moore and Jackson Watts Moore First Generation Scholars Endowed Scholarship is intended to provide an annual scholarship which is renewable for four years to exceptional students who would not be able to attend the University without financial assistance.
Each spring, two incoming first year students are selected as a Moore Scholar at The University of Alabama. Students are selected through a competitive interview process during their senior year of high school. The application process is limited to incoming first year students from Alabama and Tennessee.
- Students who apply for the Elizabeth Wilson Moore and Jackson Watts Moore First Generation Scholars Endowed Scholarship must:
- Be a first generation student, defined as an individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree.
- Be an Alabama or Tennessee resident.
- Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Application Steps for High School Seniors:
- Complete the UA Scholarship Application by January 15. Be sure to check the box that indicates you are interested the university’s first generation scholarship programs and complete the attached first generation scholarship program essay questions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
- Participate in an interview with the Selection Panel in the spring semester.
- Selected students must:
- Enroll in a designated general studies course during the fall semester.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Participate in all required activities, programs and service projects.
- Meet regularly with the First Generation Scholarships program manager.
Joe & Sara Piper First Generation Quasi Endowed Scholarship
Each spring, an incoming freshman is selected as a Piper Scholar at The University of Alabama. The student is selected through a competitive interview process during their senior year of high school. This scholarship program is available only to incoming first year Alabama residents.
The scholarship is renewable for four years, provided that recipients maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Students who apply for the Piper First Generation Endowed Scholarship must:
- Be a first generation student, defined as a student whose parents have neither more than two years of post-secondary (after high school) education nor a post-secondary degree
- Be an Alabama resident.
- Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Application Steps for High School Seniors:
- Complete the UA Scholarship Application by January 15. Be sure to check the box that indicates you are interested in the university’s first generation scholarship programs and complete the attached first generation scholarship program essay questions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
- Participate in an interview with the Selection Panel in the spring semester.
- Selected students must:
- Enroll in a designated general studies course during the fall semester.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Participate in all required activities, programs and service projects.
- Meet regularly with the First Generation Scholarships program manager.
Burton First Generation Endowed Scholarship
Each spring, an incoming freshman is selected as a Burton Scholar at The University of Alabama. The student is selected through a competitive interview process during their senior year of high school. This scholarship program is available only to incoming first year Alabama residents.
The scholarship is renewable for four years.
- Students who apply for the Piper First Generation Endowed Scholarship must:
- Be a first generation student, defined as a student whose parents have neither more than two years of post-secondary (after high school) education nor a post-secondary degree
- Be an Alabama resident.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Application Steps for High School Seniors:
- Complete the UA Scholarship Application by January 15. Be sure to check the box that indicates you are interested in the university’s first generation scholarship programs and complete the attached first generation scholarship program essay questions.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
- Participate in an interview with the Selection Panel in the spring semester.
- Selected students must:
- Enroll in a designated general studies course during the fall semester.
- Participate in all required activities, programs and service projects.
- Meet regularly with the First Generation Scholarships program manager.
InfoLooking for More Information?
For more information or to speak with a staff member about any of the scholarship opportunities above, contact firstgen@ua.edu.