Navigating Endowed Scholarships at the University of North Alabama: A Comprehensive Guide

The thought of paying for a degree can sometimes feel daunting. From understanding scholarships to applying for financial aid, we often hear from students that affordability is top-of-mind. Recognizing the increasing costs of higher education, the University of North Alabama (UNA) offers various scholarship opportunities to support students in achieving their academic goals. University support for student scholarships has increased by over 165% in the last five years. These scholarships, including endowed scholarships, provide monetary awards to help cover tuition, textbooks, housing, and other educational expenses. This article delves into the specifics of endowed scholarships at UNA, outlining their requirements, eligibility criteria, and application processes.

Understanding Endowed Scholarships

An endowed scholarship represents a permanent investment in the future of UNA students. The gift of an endowed scholarship provides the University of North Alabama Athletics Department with a permanent asset from which students can receive support. These scholarships are funded through donations, with the principal amount invested and a portion of the earnings used to provide financial assistance to deserving students annually. The endowed scholarship program has grown because of our donor’s interest in encouraging and empowering our student-athletes. The initial contribution may be made in lesser amounts with no awards made to students until the minimum of $10,000 is reached. A crucial aspect of endowed scholarships is that the donor may not, however, actually name the individual student to receive the award. Naming the endowed scholarship is an opportunity to perpetuate your own interest in UNA Athletics or to recognize or remember a loved one, friend, or classmate.

Minimum Principal Balance

The minimum principal balance required to establish an endowed scholarship is $10,000. Initial contributions may be made in lesser amounts with no awards made to students until the minimum of $10,000 is reached. This ensures the scholarship's sustainability and its ability to support students for years to come.

Awarding Process

Awards are made annually to deserving students according to the donor wishes and current financial aid policies of the university. While it is preferred that scholarships be unrestricted, occasionally it can be appropriate to specify that the scholarship be awarded to students from a specific sport or geographic area. The recipient recommendations shall be selected by the Anderson College of Nursing in consultation with the Office of Student Financial Services. This collaborative approach ensures that scholarships are awarded to students who meet the specified criteria and demonstrate financial need.

Types of Scholarships Available at UNA

At the University of North Alabama, we are proud to offer numerous scholarship opportunities that elevate possibilities for students just like you. We support all students, from undergraduate to graduate, and from those in the military to alumni and partnership employees. Scholarships are monetary awards that can help you pay for your tuition, textbooks, housing, and more. You may be considered for some scholarships automatically when you apply to the University of North Alabama. Others you will have to apply for separately. Each scholarship can work differently than the next. With so many different types of scholarships, finding and applying for them can feel intimidating.

Academic and Presidential Scholarships

Students are automatically awarded Academic or Presidential scholarships based on their unweighted GPA and ACT Superscore. To qualify for these scholarships, students must be admitted by the listed priority deadline. Additional scholarships are available via the UNA General & Endowed Scholarship Application.

While the majority of UNA Scholarships adhere to a March 2, 2026 deadline, some scholarships require an earlier submission or allow for submission later in the year. 2026 award amounts subject to final funding October 1, 2025. As of June 13, 2025, Housing Scholarship are equivalent to $4000 for residence halls only. The University of North Alabama superscores the ACT. Superscoring at the University of North Alabama means that we consider students' highest ACT section (or subtest) scores regardless of test date. The super composite ACT score is calculated as the average of the best ACT English, Reading, and Math subject scores and is used as one of multiple factors in admission and financial aid. Science scores may be required for specific majors, course placement, or advising. **Students are responsible for submitting their scores via official means. UNA will not accept unofficial reports of ACT scores for official merit-based scholarships (i.e.

Housing Scholarships

Housing Scholarships are 2-year stackable scholarships valued at $4,000 per year. This amount can be applied to any on-campus residence hall. Housing Scholarships are not applicable to apartments. These competitive scholarships are awarded to students who, based upon a strong record of leadership and volunteerism in high school, have demonstrated the potential to be campus leaders at UNA. Housing Scholarships are 2-year stackable scholarships. This amount can be applied to any on-campus residence hall. Housing Scholarships are not applicable to apartments. Students may apply for the Leadership Scholarship through the General & Endowed Scholarship Application. After completing the general application, search “Leadership Scholarship” to provide the required resume and finalize your submission.

Freshmen Scholarships

The Freshmen Scholarship priority deadline is March 2, 2026. The University will use the unweighted GPA from the student’s high school academic transcript submitted to the Office of Admissions on or before March 2, 2026. All scholarship awards are subject to change depending on fund availability, budgetary constraints, and the size/quality of the applicant pool. Academic scholarships are for incoming freshmen entering UNA in the summer or fall term immediately after graduation from high school. If a student has extenuating circumstances (i.e. attend basic training), they may defer the start of their scholarship(s) for the first fall term. The fall semester of eligibility for any scholarships awarded will be forfeited. Students will be eligible to receive the scholarship(s) they were awarded if they begin attendance at UNA in the following spring term. At that time, Student Financial Aid will send the updated renewal requirements for the student’s scholarship(s). The Office of Student Financial Aid will check grades of all first-year Freshmen Scholarship recipients at the end of their first semester. A minimum earned GPA is required of incoming freshmen students in their first semester of the scholarship award. The student may lose the scholarship award for the second semester (spring semester) if the minimum GPA is not achieved. However, the student may regain eligibility for the scholarship in the summer semester following the loss of the scholarship.

Scholarships in Specific Departments

There are several scholarships through the Biology department that are awarded each year. Selection takes place during the spring semester with the scholarship being awarded during the following academic year. Qualifications: Must be an associate or regular member of the Beta Zeta chapter of Beta Beta Beta and have an overall GPA of 2.5 on 4.0 scale. Qualifications: second year or above full-time student majoring in Biology with an interest in botany or Secondary Education with the teaching field of Biology; eligible for one year, but prior recipients may re-apply.

Anderson College of Nursing Scholarships

Recipients of the scholarship must meet the following qualifications: Students will have been accepted into the Anderson College of Nursing and include students enrolled in the RN to BSN or the RN to MSN tracks who possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3 .0 and demonstrate financial need as determined by the need-based guidelines of the university. Students shall demonstrate excellence of character and service to others, which may include students who participate in the Nursing Study Abroad Program that provides free medical care through clinics in various communities. The awards will be made in scholarship amounts based on funds available and number of students selected. The scholarship may be renewable provided the recipient meets or maintains the above mentioned criteria. Have you been accepted into the Anderson College of Nursing as an undergraduate student? Please provide three (3) letters of support (recommendation letters) demonstrating excellence of character and service to others. This may include participating in the Nursing Study Abroad program.Is your high school considered a Christian high school?Have you participated in a mission trip or community service activity? If so, please explain in detail.Have you participated in a study abroad activity? If so, please explain in detail.Do you plan to participate in a study abroad activity?

Key Scholarship Examples

Several endowed scholarships have been established at UNA, each with its own unique criteria and purpose. Here are a few notable examples:

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Retiree Association Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established by the Tennessee valley Authority Retiree Association in 2014. Preference will be given to the immediate family (i.e. individual, spouse, child, grand-child, step child, or step grandchild) of a member of the Muscle Shoals Chapter of the TVA Retiree Association who is current in paying all dues and fees owed to the Association. Recipients of the scholarship must have a minimum 2.8 GPA. Do you have an immediate family member (spouse, parent, step parent, grand parent, step grand parent) that is a member of the Muscle Shoals Chapter of the TVA Retiree Association?Please submit an essay on Tennessee Valley Authority's influence on you, your community, state and/or nation.

Other Endowed Scholarships

This scholarship was established to honor Dr. Larry W. B. Vick, J. Parks, and M. Musician and UNA alumnus Brian E. Beatrice Reeves and H. M. Betty and John B. Betty and John B. Bobby E. Books-A-Million/T. S. This endowed scholarship was established by Dr. Walter and Dr. Carol W. This endowed scholarship was established by Carol W. This endowed scholarship was established by Ms. Carolyn Eckl Eck. This endowed scholarship was established by Dr. This endowed scholarship was established by Dr. Michael B.

Eligibility and Application Process

Each scholarship can work differently than the next. With so many different types of scholarships, finding and applying for them can feel intimidating. Eligibility-Some of our scholarships are “stackable,” meaning they can be combined with other scholarships. Others are not stackable. In these cases, if you are awarded multiple scholarships, you will receive the one(s) that provides the greatest monetary benefit to you. Identify the scholarships that you may qualify for. We know you have questions. Are you new to UNA? Are you ready to get started?

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

General Requirements

Scholarships shall be awarded to student(s) who accept the scholarship with the intent of fulfilling the guidelines of the scholarship during the academic year for which the funds are awarded.

Application Methods

You may be considered for some scholarships automatically when you apply to the University of North Alabama. Others you will have to apply for separately. Students may apply for the Leadership Scholarship through the General & Endowed Scholarship Application. After completing the general application, search “Leadership Scholarship” to provide the required resume and finalize your submission.

Important Considerations

Scholarship Stacking

Eligibility-Some of our scholarships are “stackable,” meaning they can be combined with other scholarships. Others are not stackable. In these cases, if you are awarded multiple scholarships, you will receive the one(s) that provides the greatest monetary benefit to you. The below scholarships are not stackable with merit-based awards listed above.

Changes to Scholarship Awards

All scholarship awards are subject to change depending on fund availability, budgetary constraints, and the size/quality of the applicant pool.

Out-of-State Tuition

At their June 9, 2014 meeting, the UNA Board of Trustees approved a resolution adopting a portion of the provisions of House Bill 424 pertaining to out of state students being eligible to pay the resident tuition rate for enrollment at the University of North Alabama. This provision allows out of state students receiving a scholarship award of $250 or more to be eligible for the resident tuition rate. The student must be a full-time undergraduate US citizen student enrolled at UNA who is receiving an institutional scholarship award of $250 in recognition of a particular talent or ability, provided such student possessed the talent or ability at the time of initial enrollment and maintains continuous scholarship eligibility at UNA.

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