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First-Year Merit Scholarships for International Students

American University's merit scholarships for international students are partial, not full, awards. They are highly competitive and based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service. No need-based financial aid is available to international students (non-U.S. citizens). If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, please visit our  for more information on need-based financial aid opportunities.

No separate application form or process is needed to be considered for AU's partial merit scholarships which ranged from U.S.$8,000 to U.S.$25,000 per academic year. They are renewable for all four years of study based on successful continued academic performance.

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

  1. Apply for the fall (August) semester, not spring, by the appropriate deadline (EA, EDI, EDII, or regular decision.)
  2. AU merit awards are offered only at the time of admission. There are no further opportunities for AU partial scholarships from the Office of Admissions once you have begun your studies.
  3. 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.
  4. For students who will need an F or J student visa: Your AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) must demonstrate that you have at least U.S.$81,620 available for your first year of study, even if you hope to qualify and receive one of AU's competitive merit scholarships. Plan to have similar funding available for each additional year of undergraduate study (up to four years total). The AU DFF must confirm the amount of US$81,620 and must be submitted by the application deadline date for your file to be considered for admission.

Other Sources of Financial Assistance

You may wish to contact the following institutions to seek information on additional sources of financial assistance:

  • Your in Washington, D.C.
  • in your country
  • for Students from Caribbean/Latin America (no-interest loan for third and fourth year of undergraduate study)

  • Antigua & Barbuda: 

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AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS)

The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. Bringing together the best of AU—academic excellence, leadership development, and global engagement—the AU Emerging Global Leader achieves, inspires, and serves with vision. The AU EGLS are dedicated to positive civic and social change, and to improve under-resourced, underserved communities in their home country.

The 2025 AU EGL scholarship covers all billable AU expenses (full tuition, room, and board) for two international students who will need a non-immigrant visa (preferably an F-1 or J-1 student visa) to study in the United States. The scholarship does not cover non-billable expenses such as mandatory health insurance, books, airline tickets, taxes, and miscellaneous expenses which students will need to pay out of pocket (approximately US$4,000 per year).

The AU EGL scholarship is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory academic performance. Students interested in all majors offered at AU are eligible to apply.

New: AU EGL partial scholarships! We’re excited to share that in addition to the two full 2025 AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarships covering all billable expenses, AU will also offer up to eight additional generous AU EGL partial scholarships valued at up to US$40,000/per year.

No additional application process is needed to be eligible for AU EGL partial scholarships. Partial scholarship candidates will be selected from talented applicants who complete the AU EGL scholarship process successfully. If you are recommended for an AU EGLs partial scholarship, you will need to submit proof of additional funds beyond the initial US$4,000 for the difference not covered by the AU EGLS partial scholarship. For example, if you are offered US$40,000/year, you will need to submit financial documents confirming US$42,000 on account for your first year instead of the full estimated costs of US$81,620.

Further information on the fall 2025 application process and deadlines can be found on our AU EGLS website.