The Office of Student Assistance is responsible for administering the following state-sponsored student financial aid programs:  

• Alabama Student Assistance Program
• Alabama Student Grant Program
• Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program
• Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program
• Police Officer’s and Firefighter’s Survivor’s Educational Assistance Program

Paying for College with Financial Aid

First, we encourage you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application process will determine your eligibility for federal student aid programs, such as, the Pell grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity grant (FSEOG), college work-study and student loans as well as notify the institution of your choice of your eligibility. Upon completion of the FAFSA, click here to review available state-aid programs.

Fellowship – a scholarship or grant awarded to a graduate student in a college or university.

Scholarship – financial aid that usually is awarded for merit or academic achievement.  A scholarship considered gift aid and does not have to be paid back.

Grant – a gift aid that does not have to be paid back.

Loan – money which must be repaid.  Loan programs have varying repayment provisions.

Work Study – this program provides jobs that enable students to earn a portion of school costs through employment at the institution.

Need – the term “need,” as used in financial aid, usually refers to the difference between the resources available to the student (from parent’s, student savings and summer jobs, etc.) and the cost of attending the student’s selected postsecondary institution.   The process of determining “need” is often referred to as a “need analysis.”

Self Help – financial resources provided by the student.

Family Contribution – the combined contribution reasonably expected during the enrollment period from the student (and his or her spouse if applicable), as well as from the student’s parents if the student is a dependent.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – a free form distributed by the U.S. Department of Education to collect information used to determine a student’s need for federal financial aid.

Conversion scholarship/loan – A scholarship that requires you to provide certain services, such as teaching or nursing, for a certain length of time. If the services are not provided, the scholarship becomes a loan which must be paid back with interest.

Waiver – An agreement that allows attendance at a school without having to pay tuition or other costs if certain eligibility requirements are met.

ASAP is a need-based, state grant ranging from $300 to $5,000 per academic year. Eligible students are undergraduate students who are Alabama residents attending eligible Alabama institutions. Nearly 80 Alabama institutions participate in the program. To apply please submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal government. This form should be filed beginning October 1 each year and is available on the FAFSA website or the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend.

This grant is available only to students at an eligible independent Alabama college or university. This is not a need based program. Grant amounts vary from year-to-year based on the availability of funds, but cannot exceed $3,000 per academic year. Applications are available from the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend and also can be found below. Application deadline dates are printed on the application form.

The following institutions are the only participants of the  Alabama Student Grant Program:

• Amridge University
• Birmingham Southern College
• Faulkner University
• Huntingdon College
• Miles College
• Oakwood University
• Samford University
• Spring Hill College
• South University – Montgomery
• Stillman College
• U.S. Sports Academy
• University of Mobile

Please DO NOT submit this application to an institution that is not listed above.

Alabama Student Grant Program Application 2022-2023

Alabama Student Grant Program Application 2021-2022

(Please return completed application to the Financial Aid office of the participating institution.)

AMSTEP is a federal student loan repayment program designed to encourage individuals to enroll in and complete programs leading to Alabama certification in mathematics or science; and to improve the educational system in Alabama by encouraging those who complete the program to accept math or science teaching positions in Alabama public schools, preferably in public school systems where the shortage of math or science teachers, or both, is most acute. AMSTEP is only available specifically to teachers who graduated Spring Term 2018 and forward from that date. For more information please follow the following link to a secure website: https:\\amstep.ache.edu.

Veteran’s Resources:

For information on educational opportunities available to veterans, please go to the following link: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program:

An award to be used for tuition and educational fees for Alabama National Guard members to attend a public postsecondary educational institution in Alabama.The award Is based on financial need. This award is for students who are active members in good standing with a federally-recognized unit of the Alabama National Guard. Participants also may receive federal veterans benefits, but must show a cost less aid amount of at least $100. Applications are available from Alabama National Guard units and also can be found below. Funds are limited, so students who are Guard members are encouraged to apply early. Forms must be signed by a representative of the Alabama Military Department and the financial aid officer at the college or university the student plans to attend.

Application 2021-2022

This is a grant covering tuition, fees, books and supplies for dependents and eligible spouses of Alabama police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. There is no limit on the amount awarded to recipients. Awards are available for only undergraduate study at public institutions in Alabama. Other special eligibility criteria apply. Application forms may be obtained from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, P O Box 302000, Montgomery, AL 36130- 2000. Phone 334/242-2273.

• Initial Application
• Renewal Application

The Southern Regional Education Board’s State Doctoral Scholars Program was developed with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Ford Foundation. It is part of a nationwide initiative, the Compact for Faculty Diversity, to produce more minority Ph.D.s and to encourage them to seek faculty positions.
Minority Doctoral Scholarship Program
Candidate Notice – HBCU Minority Doctoral Scholar

• National Sources:
• Student Guide to Financial Aid (Federal Aid programs)
• Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA)

Code of Alabama Citations

• Alabama Student Assistance Program
  Federal Program – Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title IV, Part A,
  Subpart 4; 20 U.S.C. 1070c-1070c-4
• Alabama Student Grant Program
  §§16-33A-1, et seq.
• Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program
  §§31-10-1, et seq.
• Police Officer’s and Firefighter’s Survivor’s Educational Assistance Program
  §§36-21-100, et seq.
• Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program
  §§16-5-50, et seq.

Administrative Code Citations (See chapter citations below)

• Alabama Student Assistance Program
  Chapter 300-4-2
• Alabama Student Grant Program
  Chapter 300-4-3
• Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program
  Chapter 300-4-4
• Police Officer’s and Firefighter’s Survivor’s Educational Assistance Program
  Chapter 300-4-7
• Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program
  Chapter 300-4-12