Community College Partnerships | Samford University

In a move that expands its partnership with the two-year college system, Samford University has streamlined the path for community college students to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Students attending schools who have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Samford will be guaranteed admission upon meeting university requirements. Samford is committed to providing transfer pathways, pre-transfer advising and scholarships to support the transition. The partnership means Samford will accept credits for students who completed a traditionally non-transferable technical degree at community college. It also encourages reverse transfer agreements, in which students who transfer before graduating from community college can complete their associate degree at Samford.

Gadsden State Jefferson State Lawson State Wallace State Other Schools

Transfer to Samford

While your school has not yet entered a memorandum of understanding with us, you can still apply to Samford as a transfer student. Learn More

Jefferson State Community College

“Samford is thrilled to provide transfer pathways and new scholarship opportunities for Jefferson State Community College students. Since the development of Samford’s strategic plan, Fidelitas, we have focused even more on the creation of new, expanded, and revised academic programs that enhance our existing offerings and meet the needs of new student populations. This partnership with Jefferson State Community College is an important step towards furthering this goal.”

—Beck A. Taylor, PhD, President, Samford University

“This agreement will significantly broaden our students’ transfer possibilities, enabling them to pursue their educational aspirations more effectively. It marks a new milestone in our partnership with Samford University, and I am eager to see the positive impact it will have on our students.”

—Keith A. Brown, President, Jefferson State Community College

Degree Pathways

Samford and your school have worked diligently together to establish a pathway that is seamless and attainable through multiple options. Eligible students may choose to transfer to Samford through any of the following manners:

Traditional Undergraduate Programs (In-Person)

An eligible student who has completed their AA or AS through your school or a student who has accumulated 45 credits minimum through your school may transfer to Samford University by providing the necessary transfer application materials. A student will receive full credit for general education courses in accordance with the credit equivalencies listed in our Transfer Credit Database.

Undergraduate Programs

Online Undergraduate Completer Pathway

An eligible student choosing the completer pathway is one that has attained their Associate of Arts (AA) or their Associate of Science (AS) from your school. Undergraduate degrees available through Samford Online are:

Online Undergraduate Full Degree Pathway

An eligible student who has not earned an AA or AS may apply for the full degree pathway. Undergraduate degrees available through Samford Online are:

A student will receive full credit for general education courses in accordance with the credit equivalencies listed in our Transfer Credit Tables for our online programs.

Eligibility

Students who are currently enrolled in your school for any number of semesters are eligible to transfer to Samford University if they meet the following qualifications.

Traditional Undergraduate Programs

Fulfill the requirements for the Samford University Transfer Application
- Application
- Transcripts from
  - your school
  - Other Educational Institution (i.e. high school of record or other college or university) if the credits achieved from your school are less than 24 credits total.
- Essay
- Letter of Recommendation from a source who has witnessed your work ethic in preferably academics (i.e. teacher, professor, coach, counselor, administrator, advisor, etc.)
- Application Fee
Maintain an aggregate 2.5 GPA
Maintain admirable citizenship with the your school and community of residence.

Online Undergraduate Programs

Fulfill the requirements for the Samford University Transfer Application
- Application
- Transcripts from
  - your school
  - Other Educational Institution (i.e. high school of record or other college or university) if the credits achieved from your school are less than 24 credits total.
- Essay
Maintain an aggregate 2.00 GPA

Scholarships and Aid

Transfer students applying to Samford University will be eligible for the following merit-based scholarship opportunities:

School Transfer Scholarship
Crosland Scholarship
Marion Scholarship
Marvin Mann Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
STEM Scholarship

All scholarships are subject to revocation if any of the merit requirements are no longer met or if a student is found in breach of the Samford Code of Values.

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.

Crosland Scholarship

This scholarship is unavailable for Samford Online programs.

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 annual award for a Crosland Scholar is $17,500/year and can be combined with other scholarships at Samford. However, this scholarship cannot be combined with the Marion Scholarship. 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.

Marion Scholarship

This scholarship is unavailable for Samford Online programs.

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 annual award for a Marion Scholar is $13,000/year and can be combined with other scholarships at Samford. However, this scholarship cannot be combined with the Crosland Scholarship. 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.

Please note: Students applying to a Samford Online program are not eligible for this scholarship.

Marvin Mann Scholarships

This scholarship is unavailable for Samford Online programs.

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 First Generation Scholarship

This scholarship is unavailable for Samford Online programs.

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 summer or fall term
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

This scholarship is unavailable for Samford Online programs.

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 annual 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.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

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

This scholarship is unavailable for Samford Online programs.

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

your school Transfer Scholarship

Through this exclusive partnership with your school, students applying to Samford University as an in-person transfer student from your school will be eligible for $2,000 for every 24 credit hours over three semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer). This scholarship is applicable to students for four undergraduate semesters provided recipients remain in good academic standing and uphold Samford’s code of values.

Location and Proximity

Samford University is located on the Southern end of Jefferson County providing convenient access to the many amenities Birmingham and the surrounding suburbs has to offer. Students can not only step into a campus environment that provides ease of transportation by walking or shuttle services to all campus courtesies – 15 minutes is the average time it takes to traverse the entire campus, but they can also utilize the connections Samford has established with the surrounding economic structures for invaluable training and internships. Whether commuting or living on campus, Samford strives to provide students with access to as many developmental resources as possible while the student concentrates on discovering the integral parts of their purpose.

Check out the Samford Horizons page to gain a better understanding of the transitions that are unfolding for all students enrolled in Samford University.