The race is on for schools to acquire students from Birmingham-Southern College after the small liberal arts school announced Tuesday it will close May 31.

Among the institutions that made overtures to BSC students were the University of Alabama System, which on Wednesday announced it was offering an “expedited transfer process” to BSC students.

“As a fellow institution of higher education, the University of Alabama System is grateful for Birmingham-Southern College’s distinguished contributions over the past 168 years and is saddened by the college’s recently announced closure,” the system, which includes the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, said in a statement.

“As such, the UA System will offer an expedited transfer process to all eligible students currently enrolled at Birmingham-Southern College. The expedited transfer process will be available at all UA System campuses …”

That process includes “waived application fees and expedited review and credit transfer processing, if eligible,” the system said.

“Each UA System institution will work with accepted students on an individual basis to create a competitive financial aid package to the greatest extent possible based on available funding and student eligibility,” the statement continued.

The campuses will also “maximize Birmingham-Southern students’ transfer credits to help work toward timely degree completion,” the system said.

“Academic advisors and discipline-specific program personnel will work closely with affected students to apply their credits to the appropriate degree program and facilitate the transfer process based on each eligible student’s unique needs.”

Deadlines will also be “adjusted as necessary to accommodate affected students,” the system said.

BSC students with questions about transferring to a UA System campus were told to send inquiries to these dedicated liaisons:

• The University of Alabama: Jim Landers, [email protected]
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Bradley Barnes, [email protected]
• The University of Alabama in Huntsville: Chris Pinto, [email protected]

Meanwhile, Spring Hill College in Mobile is attempting to entice prospective transfers with $5,000 scholarships.

“Already one of the most affordable private colleges in the country, Spring Hill College is pleased to offer a $5,000 scholarship for BSC students who transfer,” Mary H. Van Brunt, the private Jesuit college’s president, said in a letter to BSC students. “Grant Allen, our transfer admissions counselor, will work with you personally to help you with whatever you need. You can reach him at [email protected] or by phone at 251-380-3030.”

We invite you to visit our beautiful, 381-acre campus as soon as you can and hope you’ll find your new home at Spring Hill.

Other Alabama colleges reached out to BSC students.

The University of Montevallo said “several” students from BSC asked about transfer options.

“Montevallo stands ready to make the transfer process seamless to allow BSC students to successfully complete their academic careers,” the school said on its Facebook page Tuesday.

And on Wednesday, the University of North Alabama said it was “ready to support” potential transfer students from BSC: