Samford merit awards are designed to recognize high achievement in academics, service or community engagement. Recipients embody Samford core values and are valuable contributors to the university community. Students fully admitted to Samford will receive consideration for the awards below. All freshman merit awards are guaranteed for 8 semesters or until notification of degree completion (graduation), whichever comes first. Specified expectations within the scholarship descriptions must be maintained. Transfer scholarships are awarded per semester, for the expected number of semesters remaining to obtain a Samford undergraduate degree. Some scholarships could require additional information. Please read descriptions carefully. If you submitted the Common App or Samford application for admission to Samford University, you have your own custom Application Status Page where you can view and submit all eligible scholarship applications. Submit your scholarship applications.
Samford University scholarships are awarded to students who exemplify our Code of Values. At any point in time if our students breach the Code of Values, their scholarship dollars of any variety can be revoked.
*To apply for scholarships, you must have an online Samford account. If you've started your Samford/Common App admission application, you can apply for scholarships using the same login information. If you haven't started an admission application, please log in as a new user.
Freshman Scholarship Timeline
Transfer Scholarship Timeline (Fall)
Transfer Scholarship Timeline (Spring)
Crosland Scholarship
Named for Samford University’s first Rhodes Scholar in 1910, applicants considered for this scholarship display a high level of academic achievement. Recipients of the Crosland Scholarship are among an elite group of students chosen for their outstanding scholarly achievements, their character, commitment to others and to the common good.
The average award for a Crosland Scholar is $17,500 and can be combined with other scholarships at Samford including the Davis and Marvin Mann Legacy. However, this scholarship cannot be combined with the Marion Scholarship. Competitive freshmen applicants for this scholarship will have an ACT of 26 or higher (SAT of 1240 or higher) and 3.5 minimum GPA. Freshmen applying without a test score will be considered for the Crosland Scholarship using a recalculated, weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Competitive transfer applicants have a minimum college GPA of 3.5 and have earned at least 24 credits of undergraduate coursework. No additional application required. Crosland Scholarship recipients are expected to remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.
Davis Scholarship
Major Harwell G. Davis was Samford University’s 15th President and one of its most transformational leaders. Best known for his efforts in guiding then Howard College to its current location in Homewood, AL in 1957, Major Davis embodied the strength, care for others and love of God that Samford University is known for. Davis Scholarship recipients are students who have demonstrated outstanding community engagement and service to others throughout their high school years.
For entering freshmen. Additional application required. Davis Scholarship recipients are expected to remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values. The applicants must be competitive by December 1 of their senior year. The Davis Scholarship is a $2000 annual scholarship.
Marion Scholarship
Founded in 1841 as Howard College in Marion, Alabama, Samford University is now home to more than 5,600 students. During the over 175-year history, Samford and its people have shown strength, perseverance, and dedication to excellence. The Marion Scholarship is awarded to individuals who will continue the tradition of holding steadfast to the values of Samford University while aspiring to make a positive impact in their communities and throughout the world.
The average award for a Marion Scholar is $13,000 and can be combined with other scholarships at Samford including the Davis and Marvin Mann Legacy. However, this scholarship cannot be combined with the Crosland Scholarship. Competitive freshmen applicants for this scholarship will have a 3.0 minimum high school GPA and be fully admitted to Samford. Competitive transfer applicants have an average college GPA of 3.0 and have earned at least 24 credits of undergraduate coursework. No additional application required. Marion Scholarship recipients are expected to remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.
Marvin Mann Scholarships
Mann Scholarships expand access to high-caliber students from a variety of backgrounds. With a transformational $100 million gift, Marvin Mann ’54, is the largest single donor to any higher education institution in the state of Alabama.
Mann, a first-generation college graduate and native of Springdale, Alabama, understood the meaning of hard work and treasured the value of his Samford education. Having grown up in the Great Depression, he began working at four years old, candling eggs at his grandfather’s distribution business. After graduating from Samford in 1954, he worked for IBM for 32 years and went on to found Lexmark International, Inc. in 1991 where he served as chief executive officer and chairman until 1999. He was named Samford’s Alumnus of the Year in 2004 and received an honorary doctorate in commerce from the university in 1993.
Mann’s gift is a representation of his confidence in the leadership and future of Samford University and continues on as a living legacy of his commitment to the connection between performance and ethics in the workplace.
Marvin Mann Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Marvin Mann Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded to National Merit Finalists. Samford announces the recipients of the annual award in early spring when final aid packets are released.
The Marvin Mann Academic Excellence Scholarship may be renewed for a maximum of eight semesters provided recipients remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.
This award of up to $10,000 can be combined with a National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship. The scholarship committee may choose to increase the annual value of the award and/or extend the scholarship to others who exemplify the values of academic excellence.
Marvin Mann First Generation Scholarship
The Marvin Mann First Generation Scholarship is awarded to students whose parents did not complete a four-year college (bachelor’s) degree and have demonstrated financial need. All admitted students are automatically considered for this award. To be eligible for this award, you must:
- Demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA.
- Be a first-generation college student.*
- Be a first-time incoming college freshman or transfer student.
- Be starting Samford in the fall term (or summer/fall term if a transfer student).
- Be available to move in early and participate in events throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Samford announces the recipients of the $5,000 annual award in early spring when final aid packets are released. The Marvin Mann First Generation Scholarship may be renewed for a maximum of eight semesters provided recipients remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.
*Please note: Samford defines first-generation college student as a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. Students can still be considered a first-generation college student with older siblings having a four-year college degree or attending college. A limited number of these scholarships are available each year.
Marvin Mann Legacy Scholarship
The Marvin Mann Legacy Scholarship is awarded to students who have had a family member graduate from (or is currently enrolled in) Samford University or Howard College. This information must be provided through your application for admission. The Mann Legacy Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship and may be renewed for a maximum of eight semesters provided recipients remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.
Marvin Mann Ministry Scholarship
Available to any incoming freshman whose parent has been ordained by, and is actively serving in a full-time, paid position in a church, parachurch, or missions organization that teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ and affirms the core values of Samford University. The church or agency where the parent works must provide the principal part of the minister’s income. This award is valued at $3,500 per year and may be renewed for a maximum of eight semesters provided recipients remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.
Ragland Scholarship
Elizabeth Sloan Ragland became the first woman to integrate campus housing at Samford. Ragland was a vital part of campus as a leader and student. After graduation, she stepped into a successful career in telecommunications and radio. With a warm heart and bright spirit, she went on to be a woman of impact and influence in her beloved community of Huntsville, Alabama.
This program is a cohort experience and, thus, limited to entering freshmen. An additional application is required by the February 15 scholarship deadline. The Ragland Scholars program is dedicated to providing academic and social support for students interested in multicultural programs at Samford. Consisting of dedicated students, faculty, and staff, the Ragland Scholars program strives to empower and cultivate the leadership and academic excellence of individuals like Elizabeth Sloan Ragland. In her honor, Samford University is committed to creating an intentional community that connects ten historically underrepresented student leaders with an enriched Samford experience.
Please contact your admission counselor to express interest in applying.
Transfer-Specific Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa
Incoming community college students who are members of their institution’s PTK chapter are eligible to receive this award of $2,500, provided they note their membership on their application and provide proof of membership in the form of an invitation letter or email. Recipients of a Phi Theta Kappa scholarship are required to maintain a cumulative 3.0 Samford GPA.
STEM Scholarship Program
If you have completed two years of community college in a science or math-related field you are eligible to complete your bachelor’s degree through Samford University’s STEM Scholars program. The program is supported by the National Science Foundation and designed specifically for academically gifted transfer students who need financial assistance to complete their degrees. Selected students have an average STEM Scholars award of $10,000 annually that can be combined with other merit awards and need-based aid. The application is available to students on their Samford online Application Status Page if they select a STEM major.
Learn More Attend STEM Scholars Day
Other Scholarships
Traditional transfer applicants* can also compete for Crosland, Marion and Marvin Mann Legacy Scholarships. Descriptions of these merit awards and the transfer scholarship timeline can be found above on this webpage. No additional application is required.
*A traditional transfer applicant is typically age 21 or under.Need-based Aid
Samford University is dedicated to making education affordable for students through a variety of need-based options. Maximize your eligibility for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Aid will be awarded on an as-available basis after this date.
University Grant Award
The University Grant is awarded based upon the results of your FAFSA and demonstrated financial need. If your level of need changes, or if you are awarded any additional Samford University funds, the University Grant may be reduced or cancelled. The University Grant is awarded for a maximum of four consecutive academic years or eight consecutive semesters.
Other Scholarships
National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship
Samford University sponsors all entering freshman Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who indicate to National Merit Scholarship Corporation that Samford University is their first choice institution according to the Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists.
The National Merit Scholar must be a full-time student (minimum of 12 hours) per academic year, remain in good academic and disciplinary standing and make normal year-to-year progress toward completion of baccalaureate degree requirements. Grades or disciplinary violations resulting in suspension or dismissal from college will cause NMSC to cancel the Scholarship.
The National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship is $1000 per year and may be renewed for a maximum of eight semesters, provided the recipient maintains a cumulative 3.0 Samford GPA.
Competitive Scholars Programs
Samford’s scholars programs are available to incoming freshman and do not provide additional scholarship opportunities. They are, however, designed to provide students with unique learning and experiential opportunities that align with their specific passions. Programs could include stipends for study abroad, undergraduate research experience or service learning projects to assist our communities in Birmingham and throughout the world. Please click on the links below to learn more about any of these exceptional learning opportunities at Samford.
Ragland Scholars
Elizabeth Sloan Ragland became the first woman to integrate campus housing at Samford. Mrs. Ragland was a viable part of campus as a leader and student. The Ragland Scholars program is dedicated to providing academic and social support for students interested in multicultural programs at Samford. Consisting of dedicated students, faculty, and staff, the Ragland Scholars program strives to empower and cultivate the leadership and academic excellence of individuals like Elizabeth Sloan Ragland. In her honor, Samford University is committed to creating an intentional community that connects ten historically underrepresented student leaders with an enriched Samford experience.
Participants of the cohort commit to maintain a 2.0 GPA in Samford coursework and play an active role in furthering diversity initiatives on campus. Students will enroll/participate in IMPACT, Introduction to IMPACT (I2I), Office of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives Foundations, Cultural Arts (CA) and Cultural Perspectives (CP) courses and, in exchange will be secured with:
- A competitive scholarship award
- Intentional learning communities
- Peer-to-peer mentoring
- Priority class registration
- Multicultural experiential learning opportunities
In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.
