Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are eligible institutions for receiving the Birmingham Promise Scholarship?
Visit the Alabama College Guide
What high schools graduates are eligible to receive the Birmingham Promise Scholarship?
All seven Birmingham City Schools high schools are eligible including: Ramsay, Parker, Jackson-Olin, G.W. Carver, Huffman, Wenonah, and Woodlawn.
What does Birmingham Promise Scholarship cover?
The Birmingham Promise Scholarship will cover only the tuition and mandatory fees that are assessed on all students during the Fall and Spring semesters ONLY. The scholarship does not cover housing/room & board, meal plans, parking, transportation and other indirect college costs. Indirect college costs will be an out of pocket costs to students and their families.
Does the Birmingham Promise Scholarship cover summer courses?
Summer courses are covered IF AND ONLY IF the course(s) are not offered during the Fall and/or Spring semesters AND IF AND ONLY IF the course is required for the Scholar’s degree major
When does the Birmingham Promise Scholarship application need to be completed?
The Birmingham Promise scholarship application must be completed by June 1st of each year.
Do I need to complete the FAFSA application in order to receive the Birmingham Promise scholarship?
There is a requirement to complete a FAFSA application before applying for Birmingham Promise because the student must submit their Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA with their application.
Do I need to reapply for the scholarship every year?
Every student must complete a Renewal Application annually to continue receiving their scholarship. Renewal applications start each year during spring semester.
Do I need to reapply to get funding for the spring? (Students who have just finished the fall.)
No, you do not need to reapply to receive the scholarship for the Spring semester. However, please be mindful you will need to complete a renewal application at the end of your spring semester for the next academic year.
When do I need to reapply for the next year?
The application for renewals is available beginning on May 1 and closes on July 1st each year.
Can I transfer and still receive my scholarship?
Yes, a student can transfer to another eligible college or university and have their scholarship transfer as well. The student is responsible for knowing if their credits will transfer. Transfers are limited to just one per student during the duration of the scholarship coverage. Student must complete a transfer form with Birmingham Promise before transfering to another eligible school.
When can I put in for a transfer?
Each student is allotted one transfer for the duration of the scholarship. The student must complete all transfer application criteria as set forth by the school. The Student Success Coach will lead you through that process. The transfer can only take place after the first full year is completed. Student must also complete a transfer form with Birmingham Promise.
When will I know about the scholarship?
Once all materials/documents have been submitted, you will be notified of your application status and/or award by June 15.
When will the University know about my Birmingham Promise Scholarship award?
The Birmingham Promise notifies universities in the beginning of July with a list of students that are new and returning.
When will the University show my Birmingham Promise scholarship amount in my account?
The University will show your Promise award in the fall after the registration and add/drop period has passed.
When will my scholarship be paid?
The scholarship is paid when the University invoices The Birmingham Promise for all scholarship payments. This should happen by October.
I still have a balance. Will the Birmingham Promise scholarship cover the remaining balance?
The Birmingham Promise Scholarship will cover only the balance of tuition and mandatory fees that are assessed on all students during the Fall and Spring semesters AND that are not covered by federal and state aid. If the balance is for anything other than tuition and mandatory fees, the Birmingham Promise will not cover it.
A returning college student wants to know if they can skip a semester?
A student who skips a semester will be disqualified from being a Birmingham Promise Scholar and receiving
scholarship funds from Birmingham Promise. The student MUST complete an Appeal Form to determine if they will be re-instated as a Scholar and be able to receive the scholarship.
Where do I go to retrieve my Student Aid Report? How do I download my SAR as a pdf?
Go to FAFSA.gov and use your FSA ID to log in. Look toward the middle of the page for the words View or Print your Student Aid Report. Then download it as a pdf.
How can I get in touch with my Success Coach?
Your Success Coach will be assigned to you after the June 1 deadline, and she/he will contact you during the month of June via text message and email. If you have a need prior to receiving that contact, please contact our office at scholarships@birminghampromise.org.
How much money does the Birmingham Promise Scholarship offer?
Birmingham Promise scholarship amounts vary based on school’s tuition cost, state & federal grant award amounts, and any institutional scholarships that have been awarded to the Scholar.
Who can apply for a Birmingham Promise Scholarship?
Students must graduate from a Birmingham City Schools (BCS) high school in order to qualify for our program.
Why did Birmingham Promise NOT pay anything on my tuition?
Students may not receive Promise funds if they have institutional scholarships that covered all of their tuition or if their Pell grant paid the full tuition. Students still receive student support throughout the duration of their scholarship from an assigned Birmingham Promise Student Success Coach.