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Scholarships, Tuition, and Awards

At SOE, we know that the future leaders in education come from all academic, social and economic backgrounds. We understand that financing your education can be a challenge, which is why we offer financial support to eligible graduate students, both domestic and international, in the form of scholarships, partnership discounts and grants.

Undergraduate Scholarships

All admitted students, regardless of nationality, are considered for academic/merit scholarships for which they are eligible. In general, admitted students awarded scholarships have excellent academic credentials and exhibit exceptional leadership skills. Undergraduate scholarships are administered by the Office of Financial Aid. We strongly encourage merit award candidates to complete the forms required for need-based aid. Merit award recipients who have applied for need-based financial aid will be considered for any need-based aid for which they qualify beyond the amount of the merit award.

Graduate Scholarships

Graduate scholarships are awarded by the School of Education. The Office of Financial Aid does not administer these awards. The deadline for most scholarship applications is February 1. Please contact the graduate admissions office for more information on applications and deadlines.

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SOE Scholarships

One Dean's scholar from each graduate program is selected each Fall. Scholars are chosen by a faculty board from the pool of admitted students.

Candidates interested in becoming the Dean's scholar should:

  • Apply to the School of Education before February 1
  • Note interest in this scholarship in their statement of purpose
  • This highly competitive scholarship is not awarded every year

Selected candidates will hear from AU School of Education on or before February 21. 

Fully funded scholarship for incoming freshman. The scholarship funds the student for four years at the university.

Scholarship awarded to a full or part time student enrolled in the Masters of Special Education program. Recipients must demonstrate a strong commitment to students with special need as well as commitment to teaching grades K-12.

The recipient of this scholarship must be enrolled at the School of Education with a concentration in Special Education. The scholarship awardee must maintain a 3.5 GPA and complete a minimum of 30 credit hours per year.

The endowed scholarship is in support of students in their junior and senior years. Also, students enrolled in graduate programs at the School of Education are eligible for this particular scholarship.

SOE Partner Discounts

Partnerships receiving a 29% tuition discount:

The American University School of Education has partnered with The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington to offer graduate degree options to AISGW affiliated participants. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice. Students affiliated with the AISGW enrolled in a SOE graduate degree programs will also receive a tuition discount.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

The following programs are included in this partnership:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. AISGW members will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 1 letter of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

The American University School of Education has partnered with Boren to offer graduate degree options to affiliated participants.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. Participants will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • $55.00 application fee

American University has partnered with Capital Teaching Residency and the TNTP Academy to offer graduate degree options to teachers, alumni and staff. CTR and TNTP affiliated participants will be able to choose from degrees in the School of Education. These programs are built on a cohort-based design, include discounted tuition for CTR and TNTP participants, and are designed for those participants who want to continue to make a difference in the lives of children and transform public schools.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. CTR and TNTP participants will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • $55.00 application fee
  • No recommendation letter is required

The American University School of Education has partnered with City Teaching Alliance to offer graduate degree options to City Teaching Alliance alumni. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice. City Teaching Alliance alumni enrolled in the School of Education graduate degree programs will also receive a tuition discount.

Students in the City Teaching Alliance program receive the greatest discount through our AU-CTA partnership. Additional partnership discounts may not be combined.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. Urban Teacher Alumni will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 1 letter of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

American University has partnered with City Year to offer discounted tuition to City Year corps members, alumni and staff coursework is designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive impact in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. City Year participants will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • $55.00 application fee
  • No recommendation letter is required

City Year participants should have completed their year of service before entering the program. However, currently serving corps members are encouraged to apply during their corps year. 

The American University School of Education has partnered with Communities in Schools to offer graduate degree options to affiliated participants. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice. Students affiliated with the Communities in Schools organization and enrolled in the School of Education graduate degree programs will also receive a tuition discount.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. Communities in Schools participants will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 1 letter of recomendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

The American University School of Education has partnered with local school districts (DCPS, MCPS, PGCPS, and FCPS) to offer graduate degree options to affiliated participants. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice. Students affiliated with local school districts enrolled in a SOE graduate degree programs will also receive a tuition discount.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

The following programs are included in this partnership:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. Members will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 2 letters of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee waived

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

American University has partnered with the Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program to offer graduate degree options to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). The programs are built on a cohort-based design, include discounted tuition for Coverdell Fellows, and are designed for those participants who want to engage in transformative education policy and practice.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. RPCVs will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 1 letter of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

The American University School of Education has partnered with Reading Partners to offer graduate degree options to Reading Partners affiliated participants. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice. Students affiliated with the Reading Partners enrolled in a SOE graduate degree programs will also receive a tuition discount.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

The following programs are included in this partnership:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. Reading Partners members will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 1 letter of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

American University School of Education is proud to partner with Teach for America (TFA) as part of a joint effort to confront educational inequity. This partnership was created to offer graduate degrees at reduced tuition rates to Teach For America corps members, alumni, and staff. In partnership with TFA, the School of Education will continue to make strides and meaningful progress in educational outcomes within the United States and abroad.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. TFA participants will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • $55.00 application fee
  • No recommendation letter is required

The American University School of Education has partnered with Teach Plus to offer graduate degree options to Teach Plus candidates. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to make a lasting positive difference in the lives of children and engage in transformative education policy and practice. Teach Plus candidates enrolled in the School of Education graduate degree programs will also receive a tuition discount.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. City Teaching Alliance/Urban Teacher Alumni will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 1 letter of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

The American University School of Education has partnered with US JET Alumni Association to offer graduate degree options to affiliated participants. The graduate programs are designed for those participants who want to contribute to the greater U.S.-Japan relationship and ‘bring Japan home’ by fostering education and understanding of Japanese culture in the United States.

This partnership offers a 29% tuition scholarship.

Degree Program Options:

To Apply

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Deadlines for programs can be found on the SOE Admissions page. Participants will have the following application requirements waived: 

  • 2 letters of recommendation*
  • $55.00 application fee

*EdD students must submit 3 letters of recommendation. 

Learn More

Learn more about the School of Education's Acting Co-Deans in this article Onward Together: SOE's Acting Co-Deans.

Read More

Graduate Merit Scholarships

student in classroom

Merit based scholarships are available for all students who do not qualify for partnership discounts. Merit aid is determined upon admittance to the program. Decisions are made based on the strength of the application and are typically released with the decision for admission. Students are encouraged to apply early to guarantee merit. Applicants who wish to be guaranteed consideration for merit must apply on or before February 1. View Priority Deadlines

Additional Aid

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs awarded Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson a five-year grant to support the Early Literacy Intervention Leads Program (ELI Leads). This $1 million grant will provide full funding for eight doctoral candidates in the School of Education's EdD in Education Policy and Leadership. Visit the ELI Grant Page to learn more about the qualifiactions for this grant and how to apply! 

We offer a 29% tution discount to Payne and McNair Scholars. Applicants will select these options on their application and must list their service with Payne or McNair on their resume. 

Applicants interested in learning more about American University's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program and other Veteran benefits should visit Veteran Student Services for more information.

The ETS Presidential Scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Students recognizes eight excelling rising juniors or seniors at HBCUs – four from private HBCUs and four from public HBCUs. Those selected will receive a full tuition-only need/merit scholarships for the 2023–2024 academic school year.

The ETS-Trenton Central High School (TCHS) Scholarship Program will award graduating seniors who can demonstrate high levels of academic achievement, strong community engagement, and leadership in high school. Those seniors from TCHS will receive financial aid for a two- or four-year accredited, not-for-profit postsecondary institution – $5,000 in two payments for those attending a two-year community college and $10,000 in two payments for those attending a four-year school.

The ETS Cares Scholarships will be awarded to public high school seniors graduating in May or June 2023 facing great challenges and still intending to enroll full-time in a postsecondary educational institution this fall or pursuing a degree. Scholarships will be rewarded up to $10,000 each.

The $20,000 Lenora M. Green Scholarship – named after the late Lenora M. Green, former executive director of CAAP – is for a four-year U.S. college student during the 2022–2023 academic school year with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who demonstrates leadership and commitment to community service and civic engagement.

The $15,000 Dr. Lillian M. Lowery Scholarship – in honor of the late Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, former vice president of student and teacher assessments at ETS – will go to a master’s student enrolled in a U.S. graduate program in education during the next academic school year.

The $15,000 Robert (Bob) Moses Scholarship – named after the late Bob Moses, civil rights leader and founder of national mathematics literacy program The Algebra Project – is meant for a master’s or doctoral student at a U.S. university during the next academic school year. It is intended to go to a student from an underrepresented group pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in mathematics education or STEM.

Financial Aid

Graduate and non-degree students are charged tuition on a per credit basis. For 2022-23 academic year, tuition is $1,866 per credit (a two-year master's program ranges from 30-36 credits). Tuition is subject to increase on an annual basis.

The Master of Arts in Teaching program tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $1,273.08 per credit (the MAT degree ranges from 30- 33 credits). Tuition is subject to increase on an annual basis. 

Tuition and Fees Details

The American University Financial Aid Office is prepared to answer any questions you might have regarding financial aid, and to share information on external scholarship and funding sources.

The staff will work with you to create the best possible financial aid package and payment plan. Your aid may include an AU scholarship or grant, federally funded grants, and/or low-interest federally funded loans. The process of applying for financial aid requires time and attention to detail.

Please review all of the information posted on the AU Financial Aid website to ensure that you thoroughly understand the various aid options and application process. Early filing of a complete and accurate financial aid application will help ensure that you receive the best possible combination of university and non-university financial aid available.

American University offers the American Payment Plan (APP) to students as an alternative to paying your bill in full at the start of each term.

The plan splits your fall or spring semester balance into convenient monthly payments, with no interest charged. By budgeting ahead for the upcoming term's charges, you may be able to reduce the amount of loans needed for the school year.

International students do not need to submit additional materials in order to be considered for merit-based aid. Students are required to demonstrate the ability to cover the cost of attendance prior to enrollment.

View Detailed Cost Guide

To discuss eligibility and opportunities to finance your AU education, please contact:

  • Phone: 202-885-6500
  • Fax: 202-885-1025
  • Email: financialaid@american.edu