MOBILE, Ala. – A partnership between Bishop State Community College and Alabama A&M University will provide new full-tuition scholarship opportunities for Bishop State graduates planning to transfer.

Through the memorandum of understanding, the institutions aim to streamline the pathway for students to continue their education at the four-year university, while offering financial support to those who qualify.

The MOU outlines that Alabama A&M will dedicate 10 Transfer Merit Scholarships for Bishop State graduates who meet the minimum criteria, which include a 3.25 GPA or higher and at least 60 credit hours.

Recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.1 and complete a minimum or 30 credit hours per academic year in order to retain the scholarship for up to four semesters.

These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at AAMU and reflect the institutions’ shared commitment to increasing access to higher education for all students, particularly those from underserved communities.

“We are excited about this partnership with Alabama A&M University and the opportunities it creates for our students,” Bishop State President Olivier Charles said.

“Alabama A&M has a storied history and a strong reputation for producing leaders who make a difference in their communities,” he said. “Partnering with such an institution aligns with our mission to provide our students with the best possible pathways to success, and advocating for transfer scholarships demonstrates our commitment to their success beyond their time here at Bishop State.”

“Community colleges have a growing population, and we are thrilled that this partnership creates a seamless process for students to transition from Bishop State to AAMU,” said Dr. Braque Talley, AAMU Vice President, Student Affairs. “The transfer merit scholarship will make this process even smoother.”

Also as part of the MOU, Bishop State graduates with a 3.33 GPA or higher will be given priority consideration for the AAMU Honor’s Program, and a 15% tuition discount will be extended to full-time faculty and staff employed by Bishop State who are pursuing an online Ph.D. program at AAMU.

In addition to these benefits, the MOU emphasizes academic collaboration and ongoing support for transfer students, ensuring a smooth transition from Bishop State to Alabama A&M University.