Bishop State Community College and Alabama A&M University have collaborated in a groundbreaking partnership to provide full-tuition scholarships to Bishop State graduates pursuing AAMU. This new initiative opens doors for students by removing financial barriers and creating a clear academic pathway from community college to a four-year institution.
The partnership formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to streamline the transfer process for Bishop State students who wish to continue their studies at Alabama A&M. A key feature of this agreement is the allocation of ten Transfer Merit Scholarships. To qualify, students must have completed at least 60 credit hours and maintained a minimum GPA of 3.25. The scholarship covers full tuition, and recipients can renew it for up to four semesters by keeping a cumulative GPA of 3.1 and earning at least 30 credit hours each academic year.
Bishop State President Olivier Charles shared his enthusiasm for the new partnership, “We are excited about this partnership with Alabama A&M University and the opportunities it creates for our students. 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.”
Dr. Braque Talley, Vice President of Student Affairs at AAMU, also expressed excitement about the agreement. “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. The transfer merit scholarship will make this process even smoother.”
In addition to the full-tuition scholarships, the MOU provides more opportunities for academic advancement. Bishop State graduates with a GPA of 3.33 or higher will receive priority consideration for admission into AAMU’s prestigious Honors Program. Furthermore, Bishop State faculty and staff seeking to further their education can benefit from a 15% tuition discount when enrolling in AAMU’s online Ph.D. program.
This collaboration reflects more than just financial support; it emphasizes the institutions’ commitment to ongoing academic cooperation. The MOU highlights academic support systems in place to ensure transfer students have a smooth transition to university life.
By strengthening the bridge between community college and university education, Bishop State and Alabama A&M are not only expanding educational opportunities but also empowering students to reach their full potential.
