Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarships
Offered by Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation, the charitable arm of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, funds one of the larger state-level agricultural scholarship programs in the Southeast. Its money comes from a distinctly Alabama source: sales of the state's 'Cowboy' vanity license plate, supplemented by private family donations that endow named memorial scholarships.
The foundation awards across three tracks - high school seniors heading to college, current collegians, and postgraduate students - with the postgraduate awards specifically supporting students in agricultural law, rural medicine, and veterinary medicine. The collegiate track alone runs eight named scholarships, from the Tagged For Senior College award to the May & Ned Ellis Family and Ed Wadsworth Memorial scholarships, and a single application covers all eight. In its 2026 cycle the foundation distributed a record amount of scholarship support to Alabama students.
Applications for the 2027-28 school year open September 1, 2026 and close November 2, 2026, with applicants notified of awards by March 1, 2027. The early-fall window is unusual among scholarship programs - students who wait for spring scholarship season will miss it entirely.
Eligibility
- Alabama students: graduating high school seniors, current college students, or postgraduate students
- Postgraduate awards target agricultural law, rural medicine, and veterinary medicine
- Connection to Alabama's cattle industry strengthens candidacy; check each named scholarship's criteria on bamabeef.org
- One application covers all scholarships within each track
How To Apply
- Apply through the online portal on the Alabama Cattlemen's Association website (bamabeef.org) between September 1 and November 2, 2026. Choose the track that matches your level - high school senior, collegiate, or postgraduate - and a single application puts you in consideration for every named scholarship in that track. Award decisions go out by March 1, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the scholarship money come from?
Primarily from Alabama's 'Cowboy' vanity license plate program, plus private donations from cattle families that endow named memorial scholarships.
Are graduate students eligible?
Yes. The foundation offers postgraduate scholarships aimed at students pursuing agricultural law, rural medicine, and veterinary medicine.
When will I hear back?
The foundation notifies applicants of an award or deferral by March 1, 2027 for the 2027-28 cycle.