Financial Aid For International Students At American University

does american university give financial aid to international students

American University in Washington, DC, offers financial aid to its students through various scholarships, grants, and loans. While the university does provide financial aid to international students, the options are limited compared to those available for US citizens and permanent residents. International students at American University can apply for merit-based scholarships, such as the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, which awards up to eight partial scholarships worth up to $40,000 per year. Additionally, international students can utilize external scholarship opportunities, like the Danforth Scholars Program, which is open to undergraduate and graduate students. To assess their expected expenses, international students can use the Net Price Calculator, which estimates the amount payable after grants and scholarships have been applied.

Characteristics Values
Financial aid for international students American University offers partial merit-based scholarships for international students.
Scholarship amount Up to $40,000 per year for the AU EGL scholarship.
Requirements International applicants must have a minimum score of 90 on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS.
Application process No additional application is needed for the AU EGL scholarship.
Other financial aid options Subsidized federal loans, employer educational benefits, grants, and fellowships are also available.

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International students are eligible for merit-based aid without submitting additional materials

International students applying to American University in Washington, DC, are eligible for merit-based aid without submitting additional materials. The university offers a comprehensive financial aid program that recognises both academic excellence and demonstrated financial need.

International students can benefit from the AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship, which awards up to $40,000 per year to international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement. Additionally, the Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship is open to all United States college students, including international students, and provides a voucher for those applying for their first US passport.

American University also offers a range of fellowships and grants, including the International Fellowship for women who are not US citizens or permanent residents. This fellowship provides grants to meet specific research needs for graduate students studying abroad. The university further supports gay men pursuing higher education with scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $12,000.

While the cost of tuition at American University remains the same for international students, the total cost of attendance, including housing and meals, may be equivalent or even less than that of a semester in Washington, DC. International students can utilise financial award packages, scholarships, grants, and loans to help finance their studies.

It is important to note that international applicants hoping to receive merit-based partial scholarships must provide the required AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) by the application deadline, confirming a minimum of $81,620 in their account.

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The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship is awarded to international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement

American University in Washington, DC, offers financial aid to international students in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship is one such scholarship awarded to international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement.

The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship

The AU Emerging Global Leaders (AU EGL) Scholarship is a prestigious award offered by American University to recognise and support exceptional international students who embody academic excellence, leadership skills, and a commitment to global engagement. This scholarship is designed to foster global leadership and encourage intercultural exchange, contributing to a diverse and dynamic campus community.

Eligibility Criteria

The AU EGL Scholarship seeks applicants who excel academically and possess a strong leadership profile. The scholarship committee evaluates candidates based on their academic transcripts, standardised test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Demonstrating a passion for global issues, intercultural understanding, and a track record of community involvement or extracurricular activities can set applicants apart.

Scholarship Details

The AU EGL Scholarship is highly competitive and highly valued. In 2025, American University offered two full AU EGL Scholarships covering all billable expenses and up to eight additional partial scholarships valued at up to $40,000 per year. Partial scholarship recipients are required to submit proof of additional funds to cover the remaining costs not included in the scholarship. It is important to note that the scholarship is renewable annually, contingent on the student's academic progress and continued demonstration of the values the scholarship represents.

Application Process

International students interested in the AU EGL Scholarship must complete the AU EGL scholarship application process. There is no separate application required for the partial scholarships, and candidates are selected from the pool of talented applicants who successfully navigate the scholarship process. The application typically includes a comprehensive application form, standardised test scores, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays or statements. While the scholarship is competitive, American University encourages qualified students to apply and carefully reviews each application to identify those who embody the spirit of the AU EGL Scholarship.

Additional Financial Aid Opportunities

In addition to the AU EGL Scholarship, American University offers various other financial aid opportunities for international students. These include grants, fellowships, and other partial scholarships. International students are considered for merit-based aid, and the university works closely with students and their families to make an AU education accessible and affordable. The university also provides resources such as the Net Price Calculator to help students estimate their financial aid packages and the potential cost of attendance.

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International students must submit the AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) to be considered for merit-based partial scholarships

International students applying to American University who are hoping to receive merit-based partial scholarships must submit the AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) by the application deadline. The AU DFF form confirms that the applicant has a minimum of US$81,620 on account. International students should also be aware that they do not need to submit any additional materials to be considered for merit-based aid.

The AU EGL partial scholarships are awarded to talented applicants who complete the AU EGL scholarship process successfully. The scholarship is valued at up to US$40,000 per year. Candidates for the AU EGL partial scholarship will need to submit proof of additional funds beyond the initial US$4,000 for the difference not covered by the scholarship. For example, if a student is offered US$40,000/year, they will need to submit financial documents confirming US$42,000 on account for their first year.

The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship is another scholarship offered by American University. This scholarship is awarded to an international student who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement.

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The Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship is open to all US college students applying for their first US passport

International students at American University in Washington, DC, can receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. However, to be considered for financial assistance, international applicants must submit the required AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) by the appropriate deadline, confirming a minimum balance of US$81,620. International students at American University are not eligible for federal work-study awards.

American University offers partial merit-based scholarships to international students. All academically qualified first-year applicants who submit complete application packets by the required deadline are automatically considered for eligibility for partial scholarships. Additionally, American University offers up to eight AU EGL partial scholarships valued at up to US$40,000 per year.

Now, onto the Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all US college students applying for their first US passport. The scholarship provides students with a voucher to cover the cost of their passport application. Applications for the Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship are reviewed on the third Thursday of each month, and there is no application deadline. However, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be eligible, candidates must be ready to apply for their passport within two months of accepting the offer and submit a copy of their passport application receipt for financial auditing purposes. The scholarship is specifically for graduate students studying world regions and languages critical to US interests, excluding Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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American University offers a comprehensive financial aid program based on academic excellence and demonstrated financial need

American University offers a comprehensive financial aid program that recognises both academic excellence and demonstrated financial need. The university works with students and their families to supplement their financial resources and make an AU education possible.

All students who have completed and submitted their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Office of Financial Aid by the appropriate deadlines will be considered for financial assistance each year. Students can utilise their financial award packages, scholarships, grants, and loans so that studying abroad through the SIS Office of International Programs doesn't necessarily cost more than a semester on campus. While the cost of tuition remains the same, costs associated with housing and meals are often equivalent to those on campus and may even be less.

International applicants hoping to receive merit-based partial scholarships must still provide the required AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) confirming a minimum of US$81,620 by the application deadline. All academically qualified first-year applicants who submit complete application packets by the required deadline are automatically considered for eligibility for partial scholarships. International students do not need to submit additional materials to be considered for merit-based aid.

American University offers the AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship, which is awarded to an international student who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement. Additionally, the Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship is open to all United States college students, providing a passport voucher to those applying for their first-ever US passport. The Gilman Scholarship Program is another option for undergraduate students who are US citizens and receive Federal Pell Grant funding.

Other opportunities for financial aid include the Freeman-ASIA program, which accepts applications from US citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is for juniors planning to enter the US Foreign Service and includes a summer internship overseas with the Department of State. Graduate students can also apply for fellowships and grants, including the International Fellowship for women who are not US citizens or permanent residents.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, American University offers financial aid to international students. The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship is awarded to international students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement. There are two full AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarships available, which cover all billable expenses, and up to eight additional partial scholarships of up to $40,000 per year.

There are a variety of scholarships available to international students at American University. The Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship is open to all United States college students. The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding. The Freeman-ASIA scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who can demonstrate financial need to study in East or Southeast Asia.

Yes, there are external scholarships that international students can apply for. The Wesleyan African Scholars Program at Wesleyan University provides full scholarships for four years of study towards a bachelor's degree to citizens and permanent residents of Africa's 54 countries. The Centre College: Lincoln Scholars Program offers 10 full-ride scholarships, renewable for four years, to students who will receive individual mentoring and career-building opportunities. The John M. Belk Scholarship at Davidson College provides full funding plus special study stipends to outstanding students nominated by their high schools.

American University offers a comprehensive financial aid program based on recognition of both academic excellence and demonstrated financial need. Students can utilize financial award packages, scholarships, grants, and loans. Federal loans are available through the Office of Financial Aid, and students can also apply for subsidized federal loans.

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