Birmingham and UAB Partner to Offer Free Tuition to City Graduates
The University of Alabama at Birmingham will offer full tuition scholarships to some graduates of Birmingham City Schools as part of a new partnership with the City of Birmingham.
The city and UAB announced the scholarship program Thursday morning at a press conference.
“It makes a down payment on our city’s economic competitiveness,” Mayor Randall Woodfin says.
The Birmingham Promise Scholarship is part of a city initiative that plans to offer graduates of Birmingham schools full tuition to all in-state public universities and colleges. UAB is the first academic partner to support the Birmingham Promise with a scholarship. UAB estimates it’ll contribute $250,000 the first year, according to a spokesperson for the city. The Birmingham Promise Incorporated does not yet have an estimate on how much it’ll contribute.
“We are committed to supporting access to educational opportunities for Birmingham students, for they will be our city’s future leaders and workforce,” UAB President Ray L. Watts says.
Beginning this May, all Birmingham graduates with a minimum 2.75 GPA and a 20 on the ACT will be eligible for the scholarship. It’ll cover the cost of tuition to first-time full-time students for up to five years. But graduates must first fill out the FAFSA form and apply to UAB to be eligible.
“The partnership shows that UAB is invested in developing the hopes, dreams and capabilities of our next generation,” Woodfin says. “UAB’s partnership in the Birmingham Promise is an example of the collaboration we need to make our community more connected and our economy more competitive.”
Once admitted to UAB, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, attend full-time and demonstrate progress toward a degree.
Editor’s Note: UAB holds the broadcast license for WBHM, but our news and business departments operate independently.
Casey Means, Trump’s new pick for surgeon general, faces pushback
Casey Means, President Trump's new pick for U.S. surgeon general faces questions about her medical qualifications. And despite RFK Jr's support, some in the MAHA movement are lobbying against her.
Court rules Alabama redistricting intentionally discriminates against Black voters
A federal court says Alabama can't use a congressional map it found unconstitutional. The ruling comes in a voting rights case that resulted in the state getting a second Black member of Congress.
Trump’s gutting of AmeriCorps hits hard, for both volunteers and communities
The Trump administration slashed funding for the national service agency and fired most of its staff. 32,000 people, mostly young adults, were forced to stop work immediately.
What should I sing? How to pick the perfect karaoke song
It can be hard to pick a good karaoke song. You want it to be something you know well enough to pull off onstage, but also something you actually like. Here's how to narrow down your options.
A fight over Medicaid cuts is threatening GOP plans for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
GOP lawmakers in swing districts insist they will not vote for any proposal that strips benefits, placing them at odds with more conservative lawmakers looking to secure deep cuts in spending.
Nearly 60 cases dismissed due to corruption in Hanceville Police Department
The grand jury determined that 58 felony criminal cases had been tainted by corruption in the Hanceville Police Department, after four officers and the police chief were indicted on a variety of charges related to mishandling or removing evidence from the department's evidence room.
