Scholarships for Incoming Freshman

After acceptance to USA, incoming first-time freshman will automatically be reviewed for the Freshman Admission awards. A scholarship award notification will be emailed to qualified students through their JagMail account. 

The priority deadline date for Fall 2025 is February 15, 2025.

Qualifications: 

• Be a U. S. citizen, applied for/obtained Permanent Residency, or a student attending a U.S. High School with a qualified visa status;
• Be an incoming first-time freshman;
• Have at least a 3.0 High School GPA and an ACT super score of at least 21 (or SAT equivalent).

Students who choose the test-optional admissions track may also be eligible for a Freshman Admission Achievement scholarship. Scholarships for test-optional students will be awarded based on strength of curriculum, grades, and a variety of other factors. 

The priority deadline date for Fall 2025 is February 15, 2025.

USA will be offering spring 2025, summer 2025, and fall 2025 applicants a test-optional path for admission.

Qualifications:

• Be a U. S. citizen, applied for Permanent Residency, or Permanent Resident attending a U.S. High School;
• Be an incoming first-time freshman;
• Have at least a 3.0 High School GPA. 

To be eligible, students must apply using the test-optional admissions process. All test-optional admission applicants that submit their application and supporting documents by the priority deadline date will be considered. Students who are admitted as first-time freshman, have graduated high school no more than four years prior to admission, and have not attended another college or university after graduating from high school may be eligible for this award. 

Scholarship award values range from $2,000 and $9,000 per year.

It is recommended that to ensure scholarship eligibility, students with ACT 21 or better and/or SAT 1060 or better submit their scores.   

USA Jaguar Achievement Scholarships are awarded over four years or until a first bachelor's degree is earned (if prior to four years). Institutional aid may not be used in the summer term. Scholarship criteria must be met each academic year in order for the scholarship and the tuition waiver to renew.  For more information about specific institutional scholarship guidelines, please visit the USA Institutional Scholarship Guidelines page. 

After acceptance to USA, incoming first-time freshman will automatically be reviewed for the Freshman Admission awards. A scholarship award notification will be emailed to qualified students through their JagMail account. 

The priority deadline date for Fall 2025 is February 15, 2025.

Qualifications: 

• Be a U. S. citizen, applied for/obtained Permanent Residency, or a student attending a U.S. High School with a qualified visa status;
• Be an incoming first-time freshman;
• Have at least a 3.0 High School GPA and an ACT super score of at least 21 (or SAT equivalent).

Students who choose the test-optional admissions track may also be eligible for a Freshman Admission Achievement scholarship. Scholarships for test-optional students will be awarded based on strength of curriculum, grades, and a variety of other factors. 

The priority deadline date for Fall 2025 is February 15, 2025.

USA will be offering spring 2025, summer 2025, and fall 2025 applicants a test-optional path for admission.

Qualifications:

• Be a U. S. citizen, applied for Permanent Residency, or Permanent Resident attending a U.S. High School;
• Be an incoming first-time freshman;
• Have at least a 3.0 High School GPA. 

To be eligible, students must apply using the test-optional admissions process. All test-optional admission applicants that submit their application and supporting documents by the priority deadline date will be considered. Students who are admitted as first-time freshman, have graduated high school no more than four years prior to admission, and have not attended another college or university after graduating from high school may be eligible for this award. 

This scholarship qualifies as an Academic Admissions Scholarship. USA offers in-state tuition to all out-of-state students awarded an admission scholarship for academic merit at the time of admission.  Scholarship award values range from $2,000 and $9,000 per year.

It is recommended that to ensure scholarship eligibility, students with ACT 21 or better and/or SAT 1060 or better submit their scores.   

USA Jaguar Achievement Scholarships are awarded over four years or until a first bachelor's degree is earned (if prior to four years). Institutional aid may not be used in the summer term. Scholarship criteria must be met each academic year in order for the scholarship and the tuition waiver to renew.  For more information about specific institutional scholarship guidelines, please visit the USA Institutional Scholarship Guidelines page. 

USA is a destination for academically talented students and we love to reward your hard work. As a National Merit finalist you are eligible to receive the USA Merit Scholarship, awarded to students who are National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). 

Qualifications/Award Details:

• NMSC finalists who have been admitted to USA by the priority admission deadline date and have informed NMSC that USA is their first choice, are eligible to apply. 
• This award can be combined with a Freshman Admission Scholarship, but cannot exceed the federal cost of attendance
• This scholarship provides an award of $2,000 per year, and is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study, provided the student maintains the minimum renewal criteria.
• An application must be completed in JagSPOT prior to the application deadline date.

As part of our commitment to the students making the University of South Alabama their home, the USA Valedictorian Summit Scholarship rewards students for reaching the peak of their academic high school performance. Applicants for this award must be ranked first in their class or named Valedictorian of their graduating class in high school.  To ensure consideration students must be admitted to the university by the priority admissions deadline date. 

Qualifications/Award Details:

• The award will be made based on information provided on the high school transcript. Final certification must be submitted to the Office of Scholarship Services no later than June 1 of senior year.
• This is a one time award,  valued at $2000 for the freshman year.
• Those admitted by the priority deadline date will have first consideration. 
• An application must be completed in JagSPOT prior to the application deadline date.

The USA Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship, developed on behalf of the USA Board of Trustees, was designed to provide funding to exceptionally qualified and highly motivated incoming USA Freshman scholars. One award is given each year to the incoming Freshman candidate with the highest ACT/SAT super score and GPA combination (based on a 4.0 scale). This scholarship will be used to fund annual tuition, and is renewable for the first four years of the student’s undergraduate study - provided the student maintains the minimum requirements.

This scholarship will serve as a supplement to any other scholarships awarded, in order to give further distinction to the USA Board of Trustees Scholar program.

The Red and Blue Scholarship Program is grounded in student engagement through a robust living-learning community, scholastic achievement, and community service. Students who feel that they embody the ideals of the program (strong work ethic, social responsibility, academic persistence, a strong desire to pursue an undergraduate education) are encouraged to apply.  To ensure consideration students must be admitted by the priority admissions deadline date. Up to 40 students will be selected for each cohort. 

Qualifications/Award Details:

• Students must be admitted with a minimum 3.75 high school GPA and a minimum 21 composite ACT score (or SAT equivalent).
• Recipients must display a history of involvement within their communities, and a track record of academic success while balancing varying responsibilities. 
• Students are required to live on campus and commit to serving both the campus and Mobile community each year.  
• This scholarship is valued at $1,500 per year, and is  renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study- provided the student maintains the minimum renewal criteria.
• An application must be completed in JagSPOT prior to the application deadline date.

The Red and Blue Scholarship is stackable with the Freshman Admission Scholarship, but it cannot exceed the federal calculated cost of attendance for the academic year. 

This competitive scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen from the state of Alabama who embody the spirit of service, exhibit a desire to lead by example, and have shown strength of character by overcoming obstacles on their journey to South. It is intended to support students with unmet financial need -  high school GPA and standardized test scores are not taken into consideration.  To ensure consideration students must be admitted to the university by the priority admissions deadline date. Up to 40 students will be selected for each cohort. 

Qualifications/Award Details:

• Award recipients must be from a public high school in Alabama.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted by February 1st.
• Applicants must show demonstrated financial need through data compiled by the FAFSA.
• This scholarship is valued at $1,500 per year, and is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study- provided the student maintains the minimum renewal criteria.
• An application must be completed in JagSPOT prior to the application deadline date.

The South Trailblazers Scholarship is stackable with the Freshman Admission Scholarship, but it cannot exceed the federal calculated cost of attendance for the academic year. 

The USA Freshman Alabama Boys State/Girls State scholarship recognizes the leadership, achievement, engagement, and participation in the American Legion Auxiliary Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs. Scholarships are awarded to delegates who completed their state’s respective 2024 session. The USA Boys State/Girls State scholarships are a one-time $1,000 award to be used for the student’s freshman year. The priority date to have applied for this scholarship is February 15, 2025. Students will apply for this award and provide appropriate documentation in JagSPOT. 

Established in 2020, the Jaguar Dream Scholarship was created by the University of South Alabama with the intent to support students with unmet need. At South, we want to make a 4-year degree attainable for all citizens in Mobile and Baldwin County.  The creation of the Jaguar Dream Scholarship exemplifies our commitment to this community. To ensure consideration students should be admitted to the institution by the priority admission deadline date

Qualifications/Award Details:

• This award is for students from Mobile or Baldwin Counties in Alabama.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted by February 1st.
• Applicants must show demonstrated financial need through data compiled by the FAFSA.
• This scholarship is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study- provided the student maintains the minimum renewal criteria.

There is no other application necessary. The review and award period will begin after February 1st each year and complete on or before July 1st. A review of all eligibility criteria will be completed the week prior to the first day of classes. 

Established in 2020, the Jaguar Dream Residential Scholarship was created by the University of South Alabama with the intent to support students with unmet need. At South, we want to make a 4-year degree attainable for all students.  The creation of the Jaguar Dream Residential Scholarship exemplifies our commitment to this community and to students committed to a college education. To ensure consideration students should be admitted to the institution by the priority admission deadline date.

Qualifications/Award Details:

• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted by February 1st.
• Applicants must show demonstrated financial need through data compiled by the FAFSA.
• This scholarship is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study- provided the student maintains the minimum renewal criteria.
• Students receiving this scholarship will have the award credited to their USA Housing charges each semester (Fall/Spring).

There is no other application necessary. The review and award period will begin after February 1st each year and complete on or before July 1st. A review of all eligibility criteria will be completed the week prior to the first day of classes. 

The Abraham Mitchell Business Scholars Program allows elite business students to develop to their full potential. Through faculty mentorship and a four-year scholarship that includes a laptop computer, scholars will pursue challenging programs while developing stewardship and civic responsibility.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 29 ACT super score (or comparable SAT scores);
• Minimum 3.5 high school grade-point average (as computed by the University of South Alabama);
  Business major;
• Mobile/Baldwin Counties and State of Alabama residents given preference.
• After acceptance to USA, incoming first-time freshman majoring in the Mitchell College of Business will automatically be reviewed for the Abraham Mitchell Scholarship award. A scholarship award notification will be emailed to students’ JagMail account.

For more information visit Mitchell Scholars Program website.

Please note: Students who are awarded both a Mitchell Business Scholarship and a USA Freshman Admission Scholarship must choose which scholarship they wish to accept.

The University of South Alabama Honors College offers a curriculum of interdisciplinary excellence designed to stimulate the analytical and critical thinking of exceptionally qualified and highly motivated students. The USA Honors College challenges each student through discussion, research, creative scholarship, intercultural engagement and the arts in an effort to create the feel of a small college environment in the midst of the opportunities provided by a large urban university.

Students who are selected for South's Honors program are awarded this $400 per year book scholarship, which will be paid in the form of a book voucher, $200 in the fall and $200 in the spring. This is a four year award that can be stacked with any other scholarships. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain enrolled in Honors to have their Honors program award renew each year. To qualify for consideration, students will have applied to South and the Honors College by December 15. 

The USA Honors College provides its students with opportunities for travel, research, programming support, and unique opportunities throughout their four years of enrollment. These experiences and activities are designed to foster student success and encourage students to participate in enhanced intellectual experiences.

A limited number of scholarships are awarded competitively and are available to students of the USA Honors College once admission is complete.  Additional scholarships may be available as the student progresses through the Honors College​.

Visit the USA Honors College website to learn more information on how to apply.

This scholarship is a $2,000 per year renewable scholarship for a four-year total of $8,000. This scholarship, awarded to incoming freshman, is based on leadership and service commitments during high school. Priority will be given to students who represent economically and educationally disadvantaged groups or students who have participated in Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Stars and Stripes or other developmental/educational programs. Students should have a minimum 21 ACT super score or minimum SAT of 1060 (SAT critical reading + math), minimum 3.0 high school GPA and demonstrate leadership and/or service throughout high school. Application for this award can be found in JagSPOT. 

The priority deadline date for Fall 2025 is February 1, 2025.