Merit Awards

American University's merit awards for international students are partial, not full, scholarships. They are based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, leadership and community service. No need-based financial aid is available to international students (non-U.S. citizens).

Merit award consideration is highly competitive and the number of scholarships available is limited. For the 2009-2010 academic year, merit awards for first-year students ranged from U.S.$5,000 to U.S.$32,000 per academic year (up to 60 percent of the overall cost of attendance). These funds are renewable for all four years of study based on successful continued academic performance. Similar scholarship award amounts are predicted for 2010-2011.

Important for first-year applicants who wish to be considered for AU’s partial scholarships:

1. Apply for the fall (August) semester, not spring. Fall application deadline is January 15.

2. Make sure your application packet is complete and includes the AU CFIS form. Your CFIS must demonstrate that you have at least U.S.$22,000 available for your first year of study. Plan to have at least U.S.$22,000 or more available for each additional year of undergraduate study (up to four years total).

3. You do not have to submit a separate application for AU merit awards. All qualified first-year applicants who submit complete application packets by January 15 are automatically considered for eligibility for our partial scholarships. First-year applicants will be notified of any merit awards with their admission letter that is sent in the spring.

4. AU merit awards are offered only at the time of admission. There are no further opportunities to apply for AU partial scholarships once you have begun your studies.

5. No increases in scholarship amounts are available from year to year. The initial amount of your AU merit award remains constant for all four years of study.

6. Costs for the 2009-2010 academic year are estimated at U.S.$51,243. This includes tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, insurance and personal expenses. For all subsequent years, expect a 6 percent increase per year.

International Transfer Applicants

For the 2009-2010 academic year, merit awards for transfer students ranged from U.S.$6,000 to U.S.$15,000 per academic year. These funds are only renewable for two years of study and are based on successful continued academic performance. Similar scholarship award amounts are predicted for 2010-2011.

Important for international transfer applicants who wish to be considered for AU’s partial scholarships:

1. March 1 is the preferred deadline for fall (August) and spring (January) semesters.

2. Plan to apply for fall semester. Pending availability of funding, spring semester may also be an option.

3. Make sure your application packet is complete and on time and includes the completed AU CFIS form. Your CFIS must demonstrate that you have funds available for your first year of study. Plan to have similar funding available for each additional year of undergraduate study until you complete your degree.

4. You do not have to submit a separate application for AU merit awards. All qualified transfer applicants who submit complete application packets by March 1 are automatically considered for eligibility for our partial scholarships. Transfer applicants will be notified of any merit awards shortly after they receive an admissions offer.

5. Due to the competitive nature of AU transfer awards, priority will be given to qualified applicants who have successfully completed at least two semesters of postsecondary education prior to applying to AU.

6. AU merit awards are offered only at the time of admission. There are no further opportunities to apply for AU partial scholarships once you have begun your studies.

7. No increases in scholarship amounts are available from year to year. The initial amount of your AU merit award remains constant for all years of study at AU.

8. Costs for the 2009-2010 academic year are estimated at U.S.$51,243. This includes tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, insurance and personal expenses. For all subsequent years, expect a 6 percent increase per year.