exclamationUpdates for Class of 2026 & Beyond
The following benefits have been updated as of September 2025. The new Crimson Start and Capstone Start Scholarships are available to UAEC students graduating from high school in the Class of 2026 or later. If you have questions or concerns related to UAEC benefits, please contact the Early College office.
The University of Alabama Early College is designed to help current high school students become quality college students. In addition to the financial benefits of our reduced Early College tuition, students may receive other benefits by participating in the program and utilizing the academic support offered.
UA Early College students can transfer academic credits earned with them to a variety of institutions, but many find that The University of Alabama can meet all of their academic needs. Listed below are some of the additional benefits offered to Early College students who choose to attend The University of Alabama as undergraduate students.
Benefits Exclusive to Alabama Residents
Capstone Express Admission Track
In-state students who complete 11 credit hours with UA Early College by December of their senior year with at least a 2.75 UA GPA and a 3.0 HS GPA have access to priority undergraduate admission, including placement on an Undergraduate Admissions priority list and no required standardized test scores — application and transcript are still required, and students must satisfy minimum requirements as indicated within the UA course catalog.
UA Early College staff cannot guarantee admission into The University of Alabama. Admissions decisions are solely determined by the UA Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
New Freshman-Year Tuition Scholarships
UA Early College is excited to announce two new freshman-year scholarships available to in-state students who complete certain academic milestones through Early College by December of their senior year of high school and attend The University of Alabama as a first-time freshman undergraduate student. These scholarships are only available to Alabama residents who are classified as in-state students by the Office of the University Registrar.
- Crimson Start Scholarship – $1,500 – for students who complete 17 credit hours through Early College with a 2.75 UA GPA or higher by December of their senior year.
- Capstone Start Scholarship – $3,000 – for students who complete 24 credit hours through Early College with a 2.75 UA GPA or higher by December of their senior year.
Students who meet the criteria for both scholarships will only receive the scholarship of the highest value. Either scholarship is stackable on top of other University scholarships up to the cost of tuition. These scholarships may only be applied towards tuition and are not cost-of-attendance scholarships. For questions regarding these scholarships, please contact the Early College office.
Benefits Available to All UAEC Students, Regardless of Residency
By receiving college credit hours through UA Early College:
- Your course registration for upcoming semesters will open earlier for you. Students with more credit hours are eligible to register for courses sooner than students with fewer credit hours.
- Your student football ticket package (and other athletic ticket packages) will be based on your number of earned UA credit hours. Both home and away game student football tickets are allotted based on UA credit hours. Your eligibility for these student ticket opportunities will be increased because of your participation in UA Early College.
With 12 or more credit hours through UA Early College
By receiving 12 or more college credit hours through UA Early College before enrolling at UA full-time:
- You may be admitted to the Honors College as soon as freshman year if you have a 3.5 UA GPA, regardless of your ACT/SAT test score. This opportunity allows students to have smaller class sizes and receive more individualized instruction. Professors in University Honors (UH) courses stress the development of critical, analytical, and interpretive skills.*
*You must complete the Honors College application.
With 14 or more credit hours through UA Early College
By receiving 14 or more college credit hours through UA Early College by December of your senior year of high school:
- You receive the UA Early College Honor Cord (to wear along with your other high school awards as part of graduation, if permitted)* and acceptance into the Early College Honor Society, if you have a 3.0 or higher UA GPA. This prestigious recognition is given to represent the work and success of your time in high school and UA Early College.
*Please speak with your school counselor/Administrator to receive permission to wear this at awards day or graduation.
With 17 or more credit hours through UA Early College
By receiving 17 or more college credit hours through UA Early College by December of your senior year of high school:
- You will be given Priority Housing Selection, the opportunity to select where you would like to live on campus, if you have at least a 2.5 UA GPA. The University of Alabama offers many different living arrangements and Residence Halls. By earning 17 or more credit hours through UAEC, you will be assigned an early room selection login time.
- You will be considered for the Alumni Ivory Tusk scholarship, if you have at least a 3.0 UA GPA. The Ivory Tusk scholarship opportunity is only available to UA Early College students and awards $2000 to multiple students in the first year as a full time UA undergraduate. You must be admitted to UA before January 15.
*To receive priority housing selection, 17 credit hours must be earned by December of your senior year and you must complete the housing application.