Scholarship Opportunities For International Students At American University

International students can apply for and receive merit awards and scholarships from American University (AU) and other organizations to help finance their studies. AU offers merit awards for international first-year students based on academic achievement, communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service. These are partial scholarships and are highly competitive, with a limited number available. AU also offers the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship to an international student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement. Additionally, there are various external scholarships and grants that international students can apply for, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Stanford University Scholarship, and Yale University Scholarship.

Merit awards for international first-year students

American University in Washington DC offers merit awards and scholarships to international students to help finance their studies. These include:

International first-year students at American University can be considered for merit awards and scholarships. No separate application is required for AU merit scholarships, and students are evaluated based on their admissions application. The Admissions Committee makes all merit-based scholarship decisions and notifies students at the time they are admitted or shortly thereafter. Merit awards are highly competitive and are awarded based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service. The number of scholarships available is limited, and they are only awarded at the time of admission, not after enrollment. These funds are renewable for all four years of study based on successful continued academic performance.

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

The AU Emerging Global Leaders Scholarship is awarded to an international student who has demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, and is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory performance.

Other Scholarships

American University also offers other scholarships, such as the AU Presidential Scholarship, AU Deans' Scholarship, and AU Leadership Scholarship. Additionally, there are scholarships available for students with specific backgrounds or interests, such as the United Methodist Scholarship and the Athletic Scholarships.

Fellowships and assistantships

Fellowships

American University offers several fellowship opportunities for international students. Here are some options:

• AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a dedication to positive civic and social change. It covers tuition, room, and board, and is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.
• American University District Scholars Award: AU has committed $3 million to support high-achieving, low-income students from District of Columbia Public High School and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools. The scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board, and additional resources are provided based on financial need.
• American University National Merit Scholarships: AU offers National Merit Scholarships to students who are National Merit Finalists and list AU as their first-choice school. All finalists will receive $2,000 annually, renewable for up to eight semesters with continued academic progress.
• Charles O and Margaret Lerche Travel Grant: This grant is for MA in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) program students pursuing practical learning experiences or research in IPCR and American peace policy. It can be applied to travel-related research, internship experiences, or conference attendance.
• SIS Graduate Research Conference and Internship Travel Support: Offered by the School of International Service, this funding opportunity helps offset costs associated with research, internships, or conference travel. Applications are open twice a year, and students should apply in advance of their planned activities.
• Tinker-Walker Fellowships, SIS International Development Program: This fellowship is for MA in International Development and MS in Development Management students pursuing substantial research, a practicum, or an internship abroad.

Assistantships

American University also offers assistantships to international students. Here are some options:

• Graduate Assistantships: Illinois State University and other institutions often provide graduate assistantships to incoming international students. These positions can provide a stipend and/or tuition waiver in exchange for work within a specific department or the university.
• Teaching Assistantships: International students with strong English skills and subject matter expertise may be eligible for teaching assistant positions. These roles typically involve supporting faculty in teaching undergraduate courses and can include responsibilities such as leading discussion sections, holding office hours, and grading assignments.
• Research Assistantships: International students can also apply for research assistant positions, where they assist faculty members with their research projects. These positions offer valuable experience and sometimes include a stipend or tuition waiver.

External scholarships

There are a variety of external scholarships that international students can apply for to fund their studies at American University. These scholarships are offered by organizations other than the university itself and can provide valuable financial assistance. Here are some examples of external scholarships that international students may want to explore:

• American Association of University Women: This organization offers fellowships and grants, including an International Fellowship for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. It provides support for graduate students at DC-area universities, helping to cover specific research needs that may not be funded by other sources.
• Rotary Foundation Global Grants: These grants are designed for graduate students who plan to spend one or more academic years abroad.
• Rotary Peace Fellowships: This scholarship provides academic and practical training to prepare scholars for leadership roles in conflict resolution around the world.
• Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship: The Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship assists students applying for their first U.S. passport with a voucher. It is open to all United States college citizens, and applications are reviewed monthly.
• U.S. Government Fellowships: These fellowships are intended for graduate students studying world regions and languages critical to U.S. interests (excluding Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program: This program offers grants for customized study/research projects or English Teaching Assistantships in countries outside the U.S. for one academic year.
• American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellowship: The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) provides fellowships of up to $23,000 and grants of up to $5,000 to individuals pursuing research, study, or creative arts projects in one or more Scandinavian countries for up to a year.
• Inter-American Foundation PhD Grassroots Development Fellowship Program: This program supports dissertation research in Latin America and the Caribbean for PhD candidates enrolled in a U.S. university. Fellows must be U.S. citizens or citizens of independent Latin American countries.
• Organization of American States: This organization offers scholarships for a full academic year, which can be renewed for a second year.
• Fund for Education Abroad: The Fund for Education Abroad provides scholarships ranging from $1,250 to $10,000 for students who represent groups typically underrepresented in education abroad.
• Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship Program: Diversity Abroad offers a $500 scholarship to full-time undergraduate students who are typically underrepresented.
• Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship: This scholarship, worth $1,000, is for passionate undergraduate students who want to explore the world through study abroad.
• U.S. Government Scholarships: There are various U.S. government scholarships available, such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. These opportunities cater to specific student profiles, so be sure to review the eligibility criteria.
• External scholarships for specific groups: There are also external scholarships designed for specific groups, such as the Gamma Nu Scholarships Program for gay men, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund for students of Hispanic heritage, and the National Federation of the Blind for legally blind students.

These are just a few examples of the external scholarships available to international students. It is always worthwhile to research and apply for external scholarships to supplement the financial aid offered by the university. Remember to pay attention to application deadlines and eligibility criteria for each scholarship. Good luck with your scholarship search!

University-specific scholarships

American University in Washington, DC, offers several scholarships for international students. Here are some of the university-specific scholarships available:

• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: This scholarship is for undergraduate students who demonstrate leadership potential and are dedicated to positive civic and social change. It covers tuition, room, and board, and is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.
• AU District Scholars Award: American University offers this scholarship to support high-achieving, low-income students from District of Columbia Public High School and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools. The scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board, and additional resources are provided based on financial need.
• AU National Merit Scholarships: AU sponsors National Merit Scholarships for students who are National Merit Finalists and list AU as their first-choice school. Recipients receive $2,000 annually, and the scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters.
• AU Presidential Scholarship, AU Deans' Scholarship, and AU Leadership Scholarship: These merit-based scholarships are awarded to students with excellent academic credentials and exceptional leadership skills. The scholarships range from $6,000 to $22,000 and are renewable for up to eight semesters.
• United Methodist Scholarship: This scholarship is offered to dependent children of clergy serving full-time in specific churches, including United Methodist and African Methodist Episcopal. It is a competitive scholarship that covers 50% of tuition and is limited to 16 students.
• Tuition Exchange Scholarships: Tuition Exchange, Inc. is an organization that offers tuition benefits to employees of member schools. The Tuition Exchange Scholarship at American University is competitive and merit-based, with 15.5% of applicants receiving the award in the 24-25 academic year. The award amount is set at $42,000 per year and is not a full-tuition scholarship.
• American University also offers restricted/endowed awards: These scholarships are funded by donors and may be based on merit, academic program, need, or other factors designated by the donor.

In addition to these university-specific scholarships, international students at American University can also apply for external scholarships and grants, such as those offered by the American Association of University Women and the Rotary Foundation Global Grants.

Eligibility criteria for scholarships

American University in Washington, DC, offers scholarships to international students. These scholarships are merit-based and are awarded based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service.

• Undergraduate Students: International first-year students can apply for AU merit scholarships. These awards are partial scholarships and are highly competitive, with a limited number available. All merit awards are granted at the time of admission and are renewable for all four years of study, provided the student maintains good academic performance. International master's and doctoral students may also qualify for Graduate Merit Awards, which offer waivers ranging from twelve credits to full tuition each year, as well as potential stipends.
• AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: This scholarship is specifically for international students and covers tuition, room, and board. It is awarded to a student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and global engagement, with a dedication to positive civic and social change. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.
• Financial Need-Based Scholarships: While most merit-based scholarships do not require an application for financial aid, students who believe they may need additional financial support are strongly encouraged to complete the necessary forms. American University also offers need-based scholarships, such as the AU District Scholars Award, which provides full tuition and room and board to high-achieving, low-income students from DC Public High Schools and DC Public Charter Schools.
• Other Scholarships: American University offers a range of other scholarships with specific eligibility criteria, including athletic scholarships for outstanding freshman and transfer athletes, the United Methodist Scholarship for dependent children of clergy, and the AU National Merit Scholarships for National Merit Finalists.
• External Scholarships: There are also external scholarship opportunities for international students, such as the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship, which is offered by participating colleges and universities and covers a minimum of 50% of tuition. Other examples include the David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship, the Preply Scholarship, and the Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship.

It is important to note that F-1 and J-1 international students are not eligible for loans from the U.S. federal government. Therefore, scholarships and other forms of financial aid are crucial for international students seeking to study at American University.

Frequently asked questions