top of page
Scholarship Organizations
Help Students Understand More Than the Award Amount.
ACCAP helps Alabama students navigate unique pathways toward college, trades, military service, and careers by providing the guidance needed to turn ambitions into action.
- Scholarship Name & Provider Details
Award Amount or Estimated Range
Eligibility Criteria (Academic & Personal)
Minimum GPA Requirements
Geographic Restrictions
Field-of-Study Requirements
Application Opening Date
Application Deadline
Essay Prompts & Requirements
Letters of Recommendation
Official/Unofficial Transcripts
Renewal Eligibility Information
Official Scholarship Link
Contact Information for Inquiries
Birmingham Scholarship and Education Assistance Directory
Comprehensive program details serving Birmingham children, students, and families. Explore K-12 tuition programs, college scholarships, and specialized assistance for foster, kinship-care, and military families.
ALABAMA FOSTERING HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
What Every Foster Youth Needs to Know
A plain-language guide to eligibility, covered costs, FAFSA, application steps, renewal requirements, and the companion Education and Training Voucher.
Alabama Veteran Family Education Benefits
This section summarizes scholarships and education benefits specifically designed for the dependent children and spouses of Alabama's disabled veterans.
Navigating educational assistance for military families requires clear guidance and up-to-date information. Alabama offers dedicated state-funded programs alongside federal resources to help ensure that veteran families can transition ambitions into academic achievement without unnecessary financial barriers.
- Birmingham Scholarship and Education Assistance Directory
Thirty Five Programs Serving Children, Students, and Families
Prepared for ACCAP | Information reviewed September 14, 2026
This directory brings Birmingham-area scholarship and educational assistance into one resource. It includes K–12 tuition programs, college scholarships, nonprofit and foundation awards, civic and fraternal opportunities, corporate programs, employee-dependent benefits, and assistance for foster, adopted, kinship-care, and homeless students. Application dates and eligibility rules can change, so students and families should use the linked official source and confirm the current cycle before applying. A complete scholarship portfolio should include a transcript, test scores when required, a resume, documented community service, recommendations, FAFSA information, college-acceptance records, and adaptable personal essays.
Immediate priority. Students should first complete the FAFSA, identify programs tied to their school, residence, foster-care history, or parent's employer, and then apply to competitive awards. Foster youth and students with unusual family circumstances should receive direct navigator assistance because their strongest benefits may be tuition waivers, vouchers, independent FAFSA status, or campus support rather than a traditional scholarship.
ACCAP | Birmingham Scholarship and Education Assistance Directory | September 2026
1 Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund
The Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund provides tax-credit scholarships that help eligible low-income K–12 students attend participating public or private schools. The program is designed for families who believe that a different educational setting may better meet their child's academic needs. Assistance is tied to participating schools, household eligibility, available funding, and the applicable scholarship cycle, so parents should review both the family requirements and the current list of partner schools before making enrollment decisions. Birmingham families should begin the process early, gather income documentation and school records, and avoid assuming that admission to a school automatically guarantees scholarship funding.
2 Scholarships for Kids
Scholarships for Kids is an Alabama nonprofit and state-approved Scholarship Granting Organization that works with qualified nonpublic schools to provide need-based K–12 tuition assistance. Rather than operating like a general college scholarship, the organization coordinates with participating schools and directs eligible scholarship support toward approved educational expenses. Families should first determine whether the school they are considering participates in the program, then follow the school's and organization's application instructions. Because awards depend on financial eligibility, school participation, available funds, and annual rules, parents should apply as early as possible and confirm what portion of tuition and fees would remain their responsibility.
3 Alabama CHOOSE Act
The Alabama CHOOSE Act is a state educational assistance program rather than a privately funded scholarship, but it belongs in a complete Birmingham family resource directory. The program provides education savings account funding of up to $7,000 for a student enrolled in a participating school and up to $2,000 for a student in a qualifying home-education program, subject to program rules and family caps. Funds may be used only for approved educational expenses through the designated system. Families should review annual eligibility rules, participating providers, application windows, documentation requirements, and payment procedures before committing to a school or service.
4 Birmingham Promise
Birmingham Promise provides eligible Birmingham City Schools graduates with last-dollar assistance toward tuition and required fees at public two-year and four-year colleges and universities in Alabama. Last-dollar assistance means the program is generally applied after Pell Grants and other scholarships, helping close a remaining tuition gap rather than replacing federal or institutional aid. Birmingham Promise also connects students with coaching and workforce-development opportunities that can support persistence after enrollment. Students must complete the FAFSA, meet Birmingham Promise requirements, apply by the appropriate two-year or four-year deadline, and continue satisfying program expectations. The 2027–28 application cycle is scheduled to open October 1, 2026, with a February 1, 2027 deadline listed for four-year college applicants.
5 Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation Jim Hughey Jr Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Birmingham Foundation's Jim Hughey Jr. Scholarship serves graduating seniors from Birmingham City Schools. In 2026, eight students were selected to receive $2,000 per year for four years, and the funds could be used for expenses while attending an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Selection considered academic and extracurricular achievement, community service, a personal essay, and educator recommendations. Because the application is closely connected to Birmingham City Schools, students should watch counselor announcements and begin preparing their transcript, resume, service record, essay, and recommendation requests well before the spring selection period.
6 Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Youth of the Year
The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Youth of the Year program recognizes and supports high-school students who demonstrate academic determination, civic involvement, good character, and leadership potential. The program serves eligible residents of Jefferson or Shelby County and represents one of the area's longest-running civic scholarship efforts. Students should not view the award as based on grades alone; sustained service, personal responsibility, school involvement, and the ability to communicate a clear educational direction are also important. Applicants should monitor the official program page and school-counselor notices for the next cycle or contact the club at bhamkiwanis@kcob.org or 205-251-0032.
7 Rotary Club of Shades Valley
The Rotary Club of Shades Valley and its charitable foundation provide significant scholarship support to students from participating schools in the Shades Valley area. In 2026, nine recipients received $10,000 each, demonstrating the potential value of the program. Recent awards have primarily served seniors from Homewood, Shades Valley, and John Carroll high schools, so the opportunity should not be presented as universally available to every Birmingham City Schools student. Families should confirm participating schools and current eligibility directly with the club. Students who qualify should be prepared to demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, service, and a meaningful connection to their school and community.
8 Smith Scholarship Foundation
The Birmingham-based Smith Scholarship Foundation is one of Alabama's most substantial private scholarship providers for students who have financial need and a record of serving their families or communities. Its application considers essays, FAFSA information, academic records, recommendations, volunteer service, leadership, activities, personal challenges, and future goals. Awards have ranged from modest supplemental grants to major multiyear assistance, so students should give the application the same attention they would give a highly competitive college application. The foundation's support may extend beyond tuition through guidance and scholar-development activities. Students should monitor the official site for the next application and begin assembling documentation before the cycle opens.
9 Linly Heflin Scholarship
The Linly Heflin Scholarship supports Alabama women pursuing undergraduate degrees at four-year colleges or universities within Alabama. The scholarship provides $5,000 per undergraduate semester for as many as eight semesters, provided the recipient continues to meet enrollment, academic, reporting, and renewal requirements. Selection considers documented financial need and academic proficiency, and the most recently published criteria included a minimum ACT score of 23. The prior application cycle opened in October and closed in January, making early fall the proper time for students to prepare. Prospective applicants should verify the new cycle's dates and requirements and gather their transcript, test scores, financial information, and supporting materials in advance.
10 Jimmy Rane Foundation
The Jimmy Rane Foundation provides college scholarships to students who demonstrate academic promise, leadership, community involvement, personal character, and financial need. The foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships and millions of dollars in educational assistance, making it an important regional opportunity for Birmingham-area seniors. The application requires students to present a full picture of their achievement and circumstances rather than relying on one test score or activity. Applicants should develop a strong resume, document service and leadership, request recommendations early, and write carefully about their goals and financial situation. The foundation has announced that its 2027 scholarship application will open December 1, 2026.
11 NaphCare Charitable Foundation
The NaphCare Charitable Foundation, connected to a Birmingham-based company, provides scholarship assistance to students pursuing two-year associate degrees or approved technical, trade, and career-training programs. This opportunity is especially valuable because many scholarship lists concentrate on four-year universities and overlook students preparing for skilled occupations. Eligible awards may support tuition, institutional fees, books, supplies, and certain housing expenses, and the scholarship may be renewable when the recipient continues meeting program standards. Students should confirm the next application window and approved programs on the foundation's Alabama page and prepare proof of enrollment, academic records, career goals, and financial information.
12 Kids Chance of Alabama
Kids' Chance of Alabama helps young people pursue college or technical training when a parent has been permanently and totally disabled or killed in an on-the-job accident. The program responds to the long-term educational and financial consequences that a workplace tragedy can create for a family. Applicants should be prepared to document the parent's qualifying work-related injury or death, the student's enrollment or acceptance, educational costs, and financial need. A court order, workers' compensation carrier statement, or comparable official record may be required. Birmingham counselors and navigators should screen for this eligibility circumstance because many students may qualify without recognizing that their parent's workplace injury connects them to a dedicated scholarship program.
13 UNCF Scholarships
UNCF administers numerous scholarships, internships, fellowships, and career-development opportunities for Black students, students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other students who meet individual program criteria. There is no single eligibility rule or deadline for every UNCF award; each opportunity may specify a college, major, class level, GPA, financial-need standard, employer interest, or geographic area. Students should create a profile in the UNCF scholarship system, complete every required field, and return regularly as new opportunities are posted. A complete FAFSA, digital transcript, resume, and adaptable personal statement will allow Birmingham students to respond quickly to several opportunities rather than starting over for each application.
14 College Choice Foundation Bateman Scholars
College Choice Foundation's Bateman Scholars Program provides intensive college-access preparation and financial support to academically strong students from Birmingham City high schools and selected Birmingham-area partner schools. The published eligibility framework generally targets current sophomores and juniors with a 3.8 GPA or higher and combined family income of $75,000 or less. The program begins before senior year so students can strengthen college lists, testing strategies, applications, financial-aid plans, and scholarship competitiveness over time. Families should understand that this is a sustained scholar-development commitment rather than a one-time award. Eligible students should apply during the announced recruitment period and be prepared for a holistic review and family interview.
15 Birmingham Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
The Birmingham Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity supports young people through the T. L. Hale Scholarship Fund, Birmingham Kappa League, Kappa Kids, mentoring, leadership development, and community-service programs. These initiatives can help students build the academic habits, service record, professional relationships, and personal confidence that strengthen both college admission and scholarship applications. The chapter's scholarship and youth opportunities may have separate requirements and may be announced through chapter networks, schools, or social media rather than through a single statewide portal. Families should contact the chapter early, particularly if a student could benefit from both mentoring and financial assistance, and should not wait until senior year to become involved.
16 Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Scholarships
The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation offers national scholarships for graduating high-school seniors and continuing undergraduates, including achievement, STEM, business, pre-law, and other designated awards. Several programs consider both merit and financial need, while individual scholarships may restrict applicants by major, class level, background, or educational institution. The foundation's application period ordinarily opens April 1 and closes May 15. Common supporting documents include a FAFSA confirmation page, transcript, headshot, and three recommendations from educators, faculty members, or community leaders. Birmingham students should review every award rather than assuming that fraternity membership is required, then apply only to the opportunities whose published eligibility standards they meet.
17 Alpha Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi
The Alpha Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is a Birmingham-based service organization that provides scholarship activity, youth engagement, school support, mentoring, and community programming. Its local scholarship competition gives Birmingham-area students an opportunity to be recognized for academic achievement, communication ability, leadership, and preparation for higher education. Because local chapter dates and requirements can change from year to year, students should use the chapter's official channels and school-counselor announcements to verify the current application. A student interested in applying should prepare a transcript, resume, service history, recommendations, and a well-developed statement explaining educational goals and the difference the scholarship would make.
18 Omega Psi Phi National Scholarship Programs
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's national scholarship structure includes high-school essay competition opportunities and undergraduate, graduate, and other educational awards. Requirements vary by program and may involve a local chapter, district competition, national submission, particular academic status, or demonstrated achievement. The high-school essay competition is especially useful because it allows students to demonstrate research, reasoning, and written communication in addition to grades. Birmingham students should review the current national scholarship brochure and contact a local chapter for the correct routing process. They should also preserve original drafts and follow all rules concerning word limits, citations, originality, deadlines, and any restrictions on outside or artificial-intelligence assistance.
19 Birmingham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
The Birmingham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has historically provided scholarships to graduating seniors in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Selection has considered academic performance, community involvement, communication skills, leadership qualities, college plans, and compliance with the chapter's application requirements. Because the chapter's current scholarship announcement may circulate through school counselors, chapter communications, and social-media channels, students should not rely on an old application or deadline found through a general web search. Counselors should establish direct annual contact with the chapter, while students should prepare a transcript, test scores when requested, service resume, recommendations, and proof of college acceptance before the new cycle is announced.
20 Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
The Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is a major Birmingham-area service chapter with a history of educational programming, student support, mentoring, and scholarship activity. Local awards may target graduating seniors or students meeting particular academic, service, community, or financial criteria. Because chapter opportunities and application methods can change annually, ACCAP and school counselors should verify the current program directly rather than reposting an older flyer. Students should follow the chapter's official communications and prepare the standard scholarship portfolio: transcript, resume, documented community service, recommendations, college-acceptance information, FAFSA confirmation when required, and an essay that connects personal experience with educational and community goals.
21 Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation administers national scholarship and educational-support programs that may serve undergraduate, graduate, community-college, and other qualifying students. Each award has its own eligibility standards, which can include academic level, GPA, financial need, field of study, community service, or institutional status. These national awards should be treated separately from scholarships offered by a local Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter. Birmingham students should carefully match their profile to the correct opportunity, follow the current application instructions, and allow time to obtain official records and recommendations. Applicants should also verify whether funds are paid directly to the institution and whether an award is renewable or limited to one year.
22 Birmingham and Magic City Chapters of The Links
The Birmingham and Magic City chapters of The Links, Incorporated support education through scholarships, HBCU initiatives, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and career-development programming. The Birmingham chapter previously offered $1,000 career-development awards for eligible students who had completed at least one year at Lawson State Community College, Talladega College, or Stillman College, with funds intended for expenses such as technology, books, professional attire, coaching, or internship preparation. That posted application is dated, so students must verify whether the award has been renewed and whether its terms have changed. ACCAP should maintain direct contact with both chapters so current opportunities reach students before their deadlines.
23 Local Zeta Phi Beta Chapters
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority chapters serving Birmingham, Bessemer, and surrounding communities periodically provide scholarships to graduating seniors and may also support youth through mentoring and educational programs. Local scholarships commonly consider academic performance, leadership, community service, written essays, recommendations, and acceptance by a college, university, or training institution. The issuing chapter and geographic boundaries matter, so a student should confirm that their home address or school falls within the chapter's service area. Because applications are often shared through counselors and chapter social-media pages, ACCAP should verify each opportunity annually and distribute the official application rather than a copied or outdated version.
24 Coca Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers a nationally competitive $20,000 college scholarship to graduating high-school seniors who demonstrate leadership, service, initiative, and a commitment to improving their communities. The program is achievement-based and does not require an applicant to be the child of a Coca-Cola employee. For students graduating during the 2026–27 school year, the published deadline is September 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern. Birmingham seniors should apply even when they are uncertain whether their achievements are nationally competitive, but they should present leadership through measurable actions rather than titles alone. The application should be completed early enough to correct omissions before the system closes.
25 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship
Regions Bank's Riding Forward Scholarship Contest offers quarterly $8,000 awards through written or video submissions responding to the announced community-inspiration topic. Alabama residents age 16 or older may qualify when they meet the published academic and enrollment requirements, and no Regions banking relationship or purchase is required. The current 2026 structure includes four separate quarterly contests, allowing an eligible student to plan for more than one application window. Applicants must follow the official originality rules, and the program expressly prohibits plagiarism and artificial-intelligence-generated submissions. Students should build their essays from a specific personal relationship, concrete examples, and their own authentic voice, then verify the exact quarterly deadline before submitting.
26 Alabama Power Foundation Community Scholars
The Alabama Power Foundation Community Scholars Program provides one-time higher-education scholarships to qualifying high-school seniors who reside in Alabama counties within the company's service territory. The inaugural program selected 59 recipients, reflecting a stated commitment to reach eligible counties across Alabama. Students should confirm that their residence is within the service territory and review the next cycle's rules concerning enrollment, academic standing, financial need, community involvement, and eligible institutions. The 2026 application was open during April, so counselors should begin monitoring before spring 2027. This direct scholarship should be distinguished from Alabama Power Foundation grants made to schools, classrooms, and nonprofit organizations.
27 AmFirst and WBRC Rising Star
The AmFirst and WBRC Rising Star program recognizes outstanding high-school students from the regional viewing and service area throughout the school year. Students are generally nominated by a counselor or principal, featured as weekly Rising Stars, and then considered for year-end scholarships; seven Alabama seniors received $5,000 awards in 2026. The nomination process means students and families may not be able to begin with a conventional public application. Counselors should understand the current rules, identify students whose academics, perseverance, leadership, talent, or service merit recognition, and submit nominations on time. ACCAP can improve access by reminding every participating high school about the program early in the academic year.
28 Coca Cola UNITED Crawford Johnson III and Walker Johnson Jones Scholarships
The Crawford Johnson III and Walker Johnson Jones Scholarship Program is an employee-family benefit offered by Birmingham-headquartered Coca-Cola UNITED. It awards 20 renewable scholarships to eligible children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren of qualifying company associates, historically including eight awards of $5,000 and twelve awards of $3,000 annually. This program must be labeled clearly because it is not open to the general public. Eligible families should watch internal associate communications for the application period and confirm the employee service requirement. Applicants typically submit a high-school transcript, photographs, and a signed reference letter addressing academic accomplishment, extracurricular involvement, dependability, character, and leadership.
29 Employer Dependent Scholarships and Tuition Benefits
Many Birmingham employers provide educational assistance that is available only to employees, their spouses, or their dependent children. Potential sources include major corporations, hospitals, universities, utilities, banks, manufacturers, unions, and professional associations. These benefits may take the form of dependent scholarships, tuition reimbursement, college discounts, matching grants, paid internships, or awards administered by an outside scholarship company. Because such programs are often described only in employee benefit materials, students may never see them on a public scholarship website. Every ACCAP family should ask each parent or guardian's human-resources or benefits office for written information about scholarships, tuition assistance, education partnerships, union benefits, and application deadlines.
30 Corporate Scholarships Administered Through Colleges
Some corporations fund scholarships without accepting applications directly from students. Instead, the company establishes a scholarship fund at a college, contracts with a scholarship administrator, or provides money to a nonprofit that selects recipients. As a result, a student may qualify only by completing the college's general scholarship application, the FAFSA, a departmental application, or an institutional financial-aid process. Birmingham students should ask every prospective college for a list of corporate, foundation, endowed, first-generation, major-specific, and emergency-aid funds administered by the institution. They should also authorize the financial-aid office to consider them for all eligible awards and check whether a separate application is required after admission.
31 Alabama Fostering Hope Scholarship
The Alabama Fostering Hope Scholarship covers tuition and required fees for eligible students pursuing postsecondary certificates, associate degrees, or bachelor's degrees. The program serves qualified young people who were in Alabama foster care when they earned a high-school diploma or GED and extends eligibility to certain students adopted from Alabama foster care after age 14 or placed through the state's kinship-guardianship program. Because this assistance is connected to documented child-welfare status, students should obtain official eligibility verification and work with the program before enrollment and each renewal period. Fostering Hope can be combined with other aid under applicable rules, making FAFSA completion and accurate coordination with the college financial-aid office essential.
32 Alabama Education and Training Voucher Program
The Alabama Education and Training Voucher Program provides eligible current and former foster youth with up to $5,000 per year for qualified postsecondary education and training expenses. Eligible pathways can include colleges, universities, technical schools, vocational programs, and other accredited certificate or degree options. Funding is limited and generally available on a first-come, first-served basis when applications open in July. Initial eligibility commonly includes youth who were in foster care at age 18 or who left foster care after age 16 for qualifying kinship guardianship or adoption. Students may remain eligible through age 26, subject to a five-year funding limit, continued progress, enrollment verification, cost-of-attendance information, and unmet need.
33 Embrace Alabama Kids Support for Success
Embrace Alabama Kids operates Support for Success as part of its statewide work with vulnerable children, current and former foster youth, and families in crisis. The program helps qualifying students navigate Education and Training Voucher funds, Fostering Hope assistance, higher-education planning, and the practical challenges that can interrupt persistence. Its value is not limited to paying a bill; students may need help communicating with a college, documenting eligibility, planning housing, solving transportation or technology problems, and maintaining progress toward a credential. Birmingham students, caregivers, caseworkers, and navigators can request information through Embrace Alabama Kids, with immediate program assistance available by telephone at 334-387-2168.
34 University of Alabama REACH
The University of Alabama's REACH Program supports enrolled students who are current or former foster youth, legal orphans, were raised in kinship or guardianship care, or have experienced homelessness. REACH combines academic tutoring, financial-aid guidance, coaching, counseling referrals, community-building, and ongoing accountability. Participants are expected to remain enrolled full time, maintain good academic standing, meet with program staff, and engage in designated events and service. This program is institution-specific rather than a portable cash scholarship, but it illustrates the comprehensive campus support foster and disconnected youth may need. ACCAP should ask every participating college whether it offers a comparable program, year-round housing, emergency grants, and a designated campus contact.
35 FAFSA Independent Student Provision for Foster Youth
A student who was in foster care at any time after turning age 13 should answer the FAFSA personal-circumstances question accurately, even if the student later returned to a parent, entered guardianship, or was adopted. Under federal student-aid rules, that history may allow the student to be treated as independent and complete the FAFSA without parental financial information. The college financial-aid administrator may request documentation, so students should preserve placement letters, court records, agency verification, or other official evidence of foster-care status. This provision is not itself a scholarship, but it can substantially affect access to Pell Grants and other need-based aid and therefore belongs in every foster-youth college-assistance plan.
Use this space to promote your business
bottom of page