Alabama Undergrads: Are You Eligible For This?

The University of Alabama is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, founded in 1820 and opened to students in 1831. It is the oldest and largest public university in Alabama and is also the flagship campus of the University of Alabama System. The university offers a variety of undergraduate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degree programs and is known for its strong research focus and numerous student organizations. With a large campus and a vibrant Greek life culture, the university provides a well-rounded educational experience for its students.

Scholarships and financial aid

The University of Alabama offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support its students in achieving their academic goals. The university is recognised for its generous scholarship packages, which include automatic merit and competitive scholarships for undergraduate students. In the 2023-2024 academic year, students at the University of Alabama received a substantial amount of $330 million in merit and competitive scholarships, grants, and federal financial aid.

Undergraduate Scholarships

The University of Alabama offers a variety of undergraduate scholarships, including automatic merit scholarships and competitive scholarships. All first-time freshmen and transfer applicants are automatically considered for academic scholarships, without the need for a separate application. The university also offers scholarships specifically for international students, demonstrating their commitment to supporting a diverse student body.

Student Financial Aid

In addition to scholarships, the university provides comprehensive information and assistance regarding federal aid, grants, loans, work-study programs, and student employment opportunities. The university's affordability toolkit helps students navigate the various resources available to make their college education more affordable.

Military and Veterans Programs

The University of Alabama also provides financial support for military personnel and veterans. For instance, the Alabama G.I. Dependents Scholarship assists dependents of Alabama's disabled veterans in funding their education. Additionally, veteran benefits, such as Post 9/11 veteran benefits, external military scholarships, and institutional scholarships, can be combined to cover educational expenses like room, board, and books.

Outside Scholarships

Students can also explore outside scholarships offered by third-party organisations to supplement their financial aid packages. The University of Alabama provides a list of outside scholarship opportunities, but students are responsible for applying and managing these external scholarships.

Cost of Attendance

The University of Alabama is transparent about the cost of attendance, with in-state tuition and fees at $12,180, and out-of-state tuition and fees at $34,172 for the 2023-2024 academic year. The university also offers a Net Price Calculator on its website to help students estimate their cost of attendance and make informed financial decisions.

Student housing

The University of Alabama offers a range of housing and residential community options for its students. Living on campus is encouraged, especially for freshmen, as it provides a great start to student life and puts residents at the heart of campus life. The University's Housing and Residential Communities mission is to provide a holistic living environment that promotes a sense of belonging and learning.

On-Campus Housing

The University of Alabama requires all freshmen to live on campus and offers a variety of living options, including traditional, suite, and apartment-style halls to meet the diverse needs of its students. The Housing Application process for incoming freshmen typically opens in early October, and students must be admitted to the University and pay the freshman enrollment deposit to apply. The earlier a student applies, the earlier they get to select their room. However, it's important to note that participating in room selection does not guarantee a specific building or roommate choice.

The University also offers Living-Learning Communities (LLCs), which provide students with unique living environments, engaging them with peers who share similar goals and interests. These communities create a sense of community and support academic and social success.

Off-Campus Housing

The University recognises that finding off-campus housing can be challenging, especially for students new to Tuscaloosa. To assist students, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Housing Committee has compiled a list of resources, including the Off-Campus Housing & Roommate Search website, where students can look for apartments or roommates. Additionally, the University provides the Crimson Choice Map, which offers a list of vetted off-campus properties. While the University no longer maintains this list, it can still be a valuable resource for students.

The University also offers the following resources for students seeking off-campus housing:

• Capstone International Center: A comprehensive resource for students moving to Tuscaloosa, offering various considerations when relocating.
• Tuscaloosa & Northport Housing Authorities: These organisations provide information and referrals for public housing rentals, Section 8 housing assistance, housing counselling, and tenant services.
• Social Media Groups: There are several Facebook groups where students can connect, ask questions, look for roommates, and post reviews of properties.

Student organizations

The University of Alabama offers over 500 student organizations for its undergraduates to get involved in on campus. These organizations are a great way to meet people with similar interests and gain experience in leadership and networking.

The Source is the central hub for student involvement and engagement at UA, and it administers all student organizations. Students can find a comprehensive list of organizations on The Source website.

The University of Alabama's student organizations cover a wide range of interests, from academic honor societies to social and special interest groups. For example, the College of Education offers organizations such as B.A.S.E. Black Aspiring Scholars in Education and Exercise Science, the Collegiate National Association for Music Education, and the Exercise Physiology Club.

UA also has a strong Greek system, with close to 70 fraternities and sororities that offer opportunities for social connection and community building.

In addition to social and special interest groups, UA also offers student-oriented business organizations. These organizations are closely affiliated with Culverhouse academic programs and promote networking among students and working professionals. Examples include the Alabama Finance Association, the Black Business Student Association, and the American Marketing Association.

Overall, the diverse range of student organizations at The University of Alabama provides numerous opportunities for undergraduates to pursue their passions, develop new skills, and build community during their time on campus.

Sports teams

The University of Alabama has a number of sports teams, known as the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The university has a range of athletic facilities on campus, including the 100,077-seat Bryant–Denny Stadium, the 15,316-seat Coleman Coliseum, the Alabama Soccer Stadium, and the Alabama Tennis Stadium, among others.

The Alabama Crimson Tide includes both men's and women's teams across various sports, such as:

• Basketball: The men's basketball team has had success in the SEC, briefly reaching a No. 1 national ranking in 2002. The team is currently ranked 9th in the latest AP top 25. The women's basketball team has also had success, appearing in ten post-season NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship Tournaments and advancing to the "Sweet Sixteen" six times and the "Elite Eight" and "Final Four" in 1994.
• Football: The Alabama Crimson Tide football team has a rich history, with 18 claimed national championships and 28 SEC championships. The team has produced notable alumni, such as legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
• Baseball: The Crimson Tide baseball team is second only to LSU for the most SEC titles, with 14 regular-season titles and one tournament title. They have participated in the NCAA College World Series five times and play their home games at the Sewell–Thomas Stadium.
• Softball: The Alabama softball team, currently coached by Patrick Murphy, has won six SEC championships and has advanced to the Women's College World Series eight times.
• Golf: Both the men's and women's golf teams have become two of the top programs in the nation. The men's team won the NCAA national title in 2013, while the women's team claimed their first national title in 2012.
• Gymnastics: The women's gymnastics squad has won six NCAA national championships and nine SEC championships. They have placed in the top five at the NCAA Championships 25 times in the past 29 years.
• Track and Field: The men's and women's track and field teams have produced numerous individual national champions. The women's team is currently ranked 5th in the nation, while the men's team is ranked 8th.
• Swimming: Both the men's and women's swim teams are ranked inside the top 25 nationally, with the women's team ranked 11th and the men's team ranked 16th.

In addition to these sports, the University of Alabama offers a range of club sports and varsity sports, such as wrestling, lacrosse, rugby, and volleyball.

Student health

The University of Alabama offers a range of health services and resources to support the well-being of its undergraduate students. Here is an overview of the student health services and important information:

The University of Alabama provides Student Health Services, an on-campus resource for students' healthcare needs. The clinic offers primary and specialty care based on appointments. The services include:

• Primary medical care for scheduled appointments
• Urgent care
• Women's health
• Psychiatry
• Allergy shots and immunizations
• Laboratory services
• Billing and insurance assistance
• Medical records management
• Health education

Health Insurance:

The University offers a subsidized student health plan through BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama. This plan covers single students or those with eligible dependents, such as a legal spouse and dependent children under 26 years of age. The insurance plan takes advantage of the University's on-campus full-service medical centers. For services not available on campus, the plan provides referrals to major healthcare providers in the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas.

The Student Health Center is a dedicated facility for students' health and well-being. It offers a range of services, including:

• Immunizations: The SHC provides immunizations against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and TB. These immunizations are mandatory for on-campus students, and proof of immunization is required before starting classes.
• Pharmacy Services: The SHC has an onsite pharmacy that dispenses commonly prescribed medications and provides prescription refills.
• Mental Health and Psychiatry: The SHC offers assessment and treatment for routine mental health conditions and provides referrals to other campus-based resources, such as the Counseling Center and the Psychology Clinic.
• Specialty Referrals: For specialized needs, the SHC has relationships with community specialists and can facilitate referrals to dermatology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, cardiology, and other fields.
• Health Education and Promotion: The SHC provides health tips and suggestions for students, such as hygiene practices, allergy management, and the importance of adequate rest and sleep.

Billing and Insurance:

The SHC accepts various insurance plans and works with students to navigate billing and insurance processes. Students with Medicaid from another state can access reduced-cost routine office visits through ComCare. The University also offers a sponsored health insurance plan with BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama for those who wish to purchase it.

Additional Health Resources:

The University provides additional health resources, such as free condoms and safer sex products available at various locations on campus. Furthermore, the University offers HIV testing and provides tips on how to stay healthy during college, emphasizing the link between health and academic success.

Frequently asked questions