SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS -- SIS Award Opportunities

Merit-based financial aid is available to international students with outstanding academic achievement. These awards are highly competitve and only a small number of students receive them every year. To apply, just indicate on the general application form that you would like to be considered for Academic Awards. There is no separate application for merit-based aid. Students will be considered for all awards that apply if all required components of their applications are received by the SIS Graduate Admissions Office by the deadline.

The two types of merit-based financial aid international students usually receive are:

Hall of Nations Award: a merit-based scholarship designed especially for incoming SIS international students who do not have U.S. permanent residency or citizenship status. This award entails 18 credit hours of tuition remission per academic year and a stipend (the number of credits required by a regular Master's program is usually 39-42). This award is usually offered in the fall and is renewable contigent upon satisfactory academic performance.

SIS Dean’s Award: a merit-based award for all incoming SIS applicants. This award gives 12 credit hours of tuition remission (covering two thirds of tuition) per academic year. This award is usually renewable contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

Graduate Assistantship Work Award: Applicants to the graduate program with exceptional academic records and/or professional experience will be invited to apply to assist SIS faculty with research. These students will receive further information about the process upon admission to the program.

Students who receive merit-based aid from SIS can use their award total to cover part of the amount they are required to demonstrate on their financial documents for the I-20. For example, if the amount a student needs to show on his or her financial documents is $47,143 and the student receives an SIS award, he or she will only need to demonstrate the difference (PIIRF amount $47,143 - merit-based award from SIS).

Go to Other International Student Information: Application and Admission | Other Resources