In addition to financial aid programs, students may qualify for scholarships based on academic or technical achievement, leadership and extracurricular involvement, or demonstrated talent in fine arts or athletics. Scholarships are available to both current Gadsden State students and graduating high school seniors.
The 2026 Graduating High School Scholarship Application deadline is March 1, 2026.
The General Scholarship Application deadline is August 7, 2026.
STEPS TO APPLY
1. You must be admitted to Gadsden State and have an A-number before applying for scholarships. (A#@alabama.edu). Apply HERE for FREE.
2. Complete the scholarship application.
Scholarship Application (Includes the Cardinal Promise)
3. Completion of the FAFSA is recommended for all students applying for scholarship assistance.
Scholarships are awarded based on fund availability. Scholarship recipients are notified by award letter only. Private scholarship funds are applied to student accounts through the College Business Office.
For a full list of scholarship opportunities, explore the Scholarship Directory:
Scholarship Directory
Take advantage of our Chamber BOGO deal.
The Cardinal Promise is Gadsden State’s commitment to making college affordable and accessible for every student. Through reduced tuition, scholarships, and financial support, the Cardinal Promise helps remove cost as a barrier to education.
75% off in-state college tuition for 2026 high school graduates who completed 6 hours of dual enrollment (at any institution). Award amount up to $3,456.
50% off in-state college tuition for ALL high school graduates and GED recipients who have never enrolled in college. Award amount up to $2,304.
Students must be enrolled at full-time status (minimum of 12 credit hours). Awards are based on the 2025-2026 academic year’s tuition rate of $192/credit hour; amount may increase if tuition increases.
Students who receive the Cardinal Promise Scholarship will be eligible to receive the scholarship for their second year of enrollment if they obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher with a minimum of 24 credit hours earned during their first year at Gadsden State and if all requirements are met.
The Cardinal Promise is stackable with Peer Tutor, Performing Arts and GSCC Ambassador scholarships.
If your place of employment is a member of a local Chamber, you may qualify for a Buy One Get One Scholarship!
Students who successfully complete the GED test in Alabama may be entitled to enroll in one course at no cost at any institution in the Alabama Community College System.
Guidelines for Senior Wavier:
- Student must be 60+ years of age.
- The scholarship can cover up to six (6) hours per semester.
- Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible non-citizens per Board Policy 805.02(2.2) to qualify for this scholarship.
- Students must wait until the first day of class to register.
- The student is responsible for any fees or other charges applied to the general student body.
- Senior citizens granted a tuition waiver under the Senior Adult Scholarship Program may receive the tuition waiver only one time per course.
- Any time a senior citizen repeats a course, the student is responsible for not only fees but also tuition.
- Senior citizen course enrollment under the Senior Adult Scholarship Program is restricted to a space-available basis.
- The Senior Adult scholarship will be available only after all other forms of financial assistance have been exhausted.
- Once you have received final approval, students will see the scholarship amounts in OneACCS.
Students will be able to upload their high school transcript in the application. It is the student's responsibility to make sure they upload their transcript before the the application is submitted. The transcript must reflect grades earned from the 9th grade to the last semester of the 11th grade. A scholarship application with no transcript is an incomplete application and cannot be considered by the Scholarship Committee.
Nondiscrimination Policy
It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System and Gadsden State Community College, a postsecondary institution under its control, that no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law.