Application Instructions

Eligibility

To apply, you must meet all of the following:

• Alabama resident graduating from an Alabama high school (homeschool also accepted)
• Minimum GPA of 2.5
• Planning to attend an in-state Alabama college or university
• Additional criterion (to be announced)
• Additional criterion (to be announced)
• Additional criterion (to be announced)

Timeline & Important Dates

• Application deadline: January 15, 2027.
• Your FAFSA, including your Student Aid Index (SAI), must be filed before you submit. You may start and work on the application before the FAFSA is finished.
• The application is a fillable PDF. Save it frequently so you don't lose your work (Ctrl+S on Windows, Cmd+S on Mac). You can return to it as many times as you need.
• The checklist on the first page of the application must be fully checked and signed before you submit.

How to Apply

1. Download the application (Step 1 below) and save it to your computer.
2. Before anything else, submit the Recommender Intake Form (Step 2). Your recommenders are emailed right away, so they have months, not days, to write, and your school counselor gets a heads-up that you have started.
3. Complete every section of the application at your own pace, then upload it with your attachments through the Application Submission Form (Step 3).

Sections You Will Complete

1. Applicant Information
2. Household & Family Context
3. Financial Need (FAFSA, Pell Grant, SAI, Work-Study)
4. Your School & Academic Opportunities
5. Colleges You Are Applying To
6. Other Scholarships
7. Work & Responsibilities at Home
8. Community Service & Volunteer Activity
9. Activities, Leadership & Athletics
10. In Your Own Words (essays)
11. Letters of Recommendation
12. Understanding & Commitment
13. Certification & Signature

Attachments You Must Include

All attachments must be submitted as PDFs — no screenshots or images unless otherwise indicated.

• This application, filled out completely
• FAFSA Submission Summary (Section 3). If you can’t provide it, explain why in the submission form.
• Most recent transcript (Section 4)
• ACT or SAT score report (Section 4)
• Essays, as a single combined PDF containing your responses to Prompts A, B, and C and any optional prompts (D, E, F, G) you answer (Section 10)
• Two letters of recommendation, with an optional third — provided separately by your recommenders after you enter their information in the Recommender Intake Form (see below)

Making a PDF

• Paper documents: scan them and submit the PDF of the scan. If you don't have a scanner, ask your counselor for a PDF version, or use a free phone app such as Adobe Scan (iPhone / Android). iPhones can also scan to PDF from the Notes app, and Android phones from the Google Drive app.
• Essays: do not upload a Word file — save it as a PDF first. In Word: File → Save As (or Save a Copy) → choose PDF. In Google Docs: File → Download → PDF Document. Short video walkthrough.

Recommenders

List two people who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, and potential; you may add an optional third — a teacher or counselor, coach, employer or supervisor, mentor, faith leader, or another community adult who has directly observed your work or responsibilities. Confirm with each recommender that they are willing to write for you, then enter their contact information in the Recommender Intake Form as soon as you begin your application. Recommenders submit their letters directly; they are not attached to your application.

Each recommender will receive a short form asking for (1) brief ratings of your academic ability and potential, maturity and responsibility, and work ethic and tenacity, with specific examples; and (2) a narrative paragraph or two describing your achievements, the obstacles or responsibilities you have navigated, and your readiness for college-level work. Share this with them so they know what to expect.