Application is now open for the 2023 Merit-Based Scholarship at American University, Washington. The university offers various types of scholarship grants to all admitted students, regardless of nationality. Students with equal consideration for any academic or merit-based financial aid to which they may be entitled and have high GPAs and strong leadership qualities are among the most qualified applicants.
American University (AU) offers a limited number of generous partial scholarships and grants to students from outside the United States who want to attend its undergraduate program. This is done to attract the most qualified international students. International students can’t apply for or receive need-based scholarships or grants. The annual value of the merit scholarship can be anywhere from $6,000 to $25,000. (renewable subject to conditions).
Merit-Based Scholarship Grants For Freshman Students
All merit-based scholarship decisions are carried out by the Admissions Committee, and students are notified either at the time of admission or soon after. Submitting an application for admission also serves as an application for merit-based financial aid. Those who wish to be considered for the following merit awards need not submit a separate application:
- AU Presidential Scholarship
- AU Deans’ Scholarship
- AU Leadership Scholarship
Freshman Merit Aid Basics
Who can apply?
Eligible candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and rank within the top 10 to 15 percent of AU’s admitted students.
Scholarship Award
Scholarships range from $6,000 to $22,000.
Application Process for Merit-Based Scholarship
All students are considered based on their admissions application; a separate application is required only for the United Methodist scholarship.
Is it renewable?
Scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study provided that scholarship recipients remain enrolled full-time, and meet the annual Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for merit scholarship renewal.
When will I be notified?
Freshmen will receive a notification at the time of admittance.
First-Year Scholarships
Some students may be eligible for the following scholarships. Requirements and application details are outlined below.
- American University District Scholars Award American University is committed to helping students in the District of Columbia further their education after high school. To that end, AU has set aside $3 million to support high-achieving, low-income students attending District of Columbia Public High School and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools with our AU District Scholars Award. The AU District Scholars Award will cover full tuition as well as room and board at AU. Ten scholarships will be awarded annually to deserving students who demonstrate academic achievement and significant financial need. Additional resources, up to the full cost of attendance will be provided on the basis of demonstrated financial need.
To be considered, students must meet the following requirements:- Be a DC resident attending a DC Public or Public Charter High School
- Apply for fall term admission to American University by posted application deadline
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile
- Demonstrate strong academic talent in high school
- United Methodist Scholarship
As a courtesy to the Churches associated with the Pan-Methodist Commission, AU offers 50% United Methodist Ministerial Tuition Remission scholarship to dependent children of clergy under appointment and serving full-time in the following churches: United Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, and Union American Methodist Episcopal
The scholarship program is competitive and limited to 16 students, approximately 4 for each incoming class. Applications are separate from the admissions process, and occur on a rolling basis, and priority will be given to early applicants with high financial need. To learn more and to apply, please visit Scholarships through Kay. For questions, please email [email protected]
- American University National Merit Scholarships
To be considered for an AU sponsored National Merit Scholarship, students must be a National Merit Finalist and list AU as their first choice school by the NMSC published deadline. All finalists will receive $2,000, annually. This scholarship is renewable up to eight semesters if students maintain satisfactory academic progress. Questions about these sponsored awards should be directed to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation at (847) 866-5100 or by visiting the NMSC website.For more information about AU National Merit, you can also contact our National Merit Liaison, Christina Castiglione, at [email protected].
- Athletic Scholarships Eligibility: Outstanding freshman and transfer athletes. Contact Athletics at 202-885-3000.
Tuition Exchange Scholarships
Tuition Exchange, Inc. is an organization with over 600 member schools that have come together to offer tuition benefits to the families of their employees. In order to qualify to apply for the Tuition Exchange Scholarship, students must have a parent that is employed at one of the member institutions and meets their employer’s eligibility requirements.At American University, Tuition Exchange (TE) is a competitive, merit-based scholarship. To apply for the scholarship, parents of students applying to the university must contact their university’s Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer (TELO). Their TELO will submit the application for TE on the family’s behalf. The deadline to submit the TE application is the same as the admissions deadline your student is applying for:
- Early Decision 1 freshman applicants: November 15
- Early Decision 2 freshman applicants: January 15
- Regular Decision freshman applicants: January 15
Tuition Exchange is a competitive scholarship based solely on academics. TE applicants are ranked based on high school academics and then the top students in that pool are chosen to receive the scholarship.
a. Maintain eligibility at their home institution and submit the recertification application by January 15th of each academic year.
b. Take at least 12 credits every semester.
c. Meet the annual Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for merit scholarship renewal.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in loss of the scholarship. For more information about Tuition Exchange please refer to the Tuition Exchange website or contact our Tuition Exchange Liaison, Michelle Jeong, at [email protected]