Navigating American University Graduate Scholarships for International Students

For international students aspiring to pursue graduate studies at American University (AU), understanding the landscape of available scholarships is crucial. While securing funding can seem daunting, numerous opportunities exist, ranging from merit-based awards to program-specific scholarships and external fellowships. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available to international graduate students at American University, along with guidance on how to maximize your chances of receiving financial aid.

Merit-Based Scholarships at American University

American University offers merit-based scholarships to international students based on a combination of outstanding academic achievement, excellent communication skills in English, leadership, volunteerism, and community service. These awards are partial, not full, scholarships, and are highly competitive. No separate application form or process is required to be considered for AU merit scholarships. All American University merit awards are awarded at the time of admission, and not after enrollment.

The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS)

The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. Bringing together the best of AU-academic excellence, leadership development, and global engagement-AU Emerging Global Leader Scholars achieve, inspire, and serve with vision. The 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 AU EGL scholarship is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory academic performance.

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.

To apply for the AU EGL Scholarship, submit the AU EGL Scholarship application and essays via your applicant portal by the required deadline. Submit a bank letter and the completed and signed AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF), each confirming a minimum of US$4,000. These can be uploaded via your applicant portal. Submit your official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English, PTE, or Cambridge Assessment English Test score results before the deadline. Please have official English proficiency score reports sent directly by the testing agency to American University, Undergraduate Admissions, Washington, District of Columbia. If you are a citizen of a country in Africa, Latin America, or Southeast Asia and currently reside in your home country while attending secondary school, or if you are a student attending an EducationUSA advising center, and have been nominated by your EducationUSA center to apply to American University through the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, please provide a letter from your EducationUSA center's adviser confirming your candidacy. Zoom interviews and/or additional essay submissions will be required for AU EGL semi-finalists and finalists. Selection Criteria: These scholarships are based on a holistic review of your application which includes, but is not limited to: your relevant work experience, motivation for graduate studies, academic performance, your potential to excel, and more.

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Partner Program Scholarships

Some graduate programs team up with local, regional, and national organizations to offer scholarships. To be considered for Partner Program Scholarships, simply answer “yes” to the financial aid/scholarship consideration question located in the online admission application. Several of the Partner Program Scholarships require a separate application. If you are applying to the School of Communication, please view detailed procedures (listed by program) to determine whether you need to fill out a separate partner program scholarship application.

Graduate Scholarships Offered by Academic Departments

Graduate scholarships are offered by the academic departments. The Office of Financial Aid does not administer these offers. The deadline for most scholarship applications is February 1.

External Funding Opportunities

There are nearly 100 external funding opportunities available to researchers at American University. Once you establish a faculty member to serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) of your research project, you can apply for funding. Once you’ve identified a program, you’re ready to work with an advisor to complete the application process. Please note that it takes about 3 months to complete a competitive application.

Scholarships for Veterans and Military Personnel

The Office of Veterans' Student Services can assist veterans, active-duty military members, and their dependents with specific funding opportunities, including the Yellow Ribbon Program and the GI Bill®. This office also provides additional resources and support for those who have served in our armed forces. The Office of Graduate & Professional Studies has partnered with the Maryland Office of Veterans Affairs to offer a scholarship to those in Maryland who are military-connected (including some family members).

Other Funding Options

Federal aid for graduate students includes Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans and Federal Work-Study. Your employer benefits package may help cover the cost of furthering your education. You can also apply for private loans to help cover the cost of your graduate certificate.

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External Scholarships for International Students in the US

As an international student, you won’t be eligible for funding intended specifically for US nationals. However, as US universities prioritize internationalization, the number of international scholarships to study in the US has grown. Below is a selection of US scholarships for international students, some funded by the US government, some funded by private organizations and some funded by specific institutions.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Perhaps the most popular government-funded US scholarships for international students, Fulbright offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals and artists to study in the US for one year or more.
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program: This is a non-degree scholarship program for international, experienced professionals wishing to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US.
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: International scholarships aimed at all overseas students studying any subject at a participating college or university in the US (of which there are 57). You should submit an essay or video demonstrate your interest and initiative in promoting intercultural learning and exchange.
David P. Preply Scholarship: Three winners will receive an award of up to $2,000. Open to all students (domestic and international, and at any study level) aged between 16 and 35.
Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship: A $2,000 prize is available to a student currently enrolled in the US or another study destination as a high school, undergraduate or graduate student.
Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship: Awarded twice a year to passionate international students wishing to study in the US.
Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program: Scholarships for 11 exceptional Asian students to study in the US at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.

Skills That Enhance Scholarship Opportunities

Strong leadership skills can make international students more competitive scholarship applicants, experts say. Being the head boy or captain of your school, leading the school paper or even setting up your own entrepreneurship club shows your leadership potential. Strong writing skills also help. The most critical part of a scholarship application is the personal statement, which allows admissions officers and scholarship committees to really get to know a student. Scholarship essays level the playing field, experts say, giving students from various backgrounds and with different accomplishments an opportunity to win an award. If you have good writing skills you will be able to communicate strengths about your profile with ease. This in turn will enhance your chances for scholarship.

Mistakes to Avoid in Scholarship Applications

Not writing your own essay and waiting until the last minute to apply for scholarships are mistakes international students should avoid, experts say. Students should avoid the temptation of plagiarizing essays or even full sentences from the Internet or from past submitted essays. That includes not using ChatGPT to write your scholarship essay, experts say. Gupta advises that international students be honest in what they write, especially about their achievements and extracurricular activities, and adds that scholarship committees "can very easily tell if an essay actually depicts a student's potential." Levinson says students should carefully review, reread and edit scholarship essays and use spellcheck before submitting their essays to a university. International students should ask their school counselor, English teacher or EducationUSA adviser to read and review their essays before submission, she says.

Additional Scholarships

Hart A. This fellowship is offered each academic year to one or more incoming Canadian students pursuing graduate studies full-time at American University. The fellowship is applied to tuition charges. A limited number of private AU scholarships that are funded annually or through an endowment by gifts from donors are available. Eligible applicants are automatically reviewed and a separate scholarship application is not required. Offers are not announced until after the start of the fall semester.

Eligibility Clarifications

To be eligible for International Fellowship, applicants must have a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. For doctorate degree applicants, the CGPA must be based on the highest degree earned at the time of application. If your academic institution uses a different grading system, you must provide official documentation that converts your CGPA to a 4.0 scale.
Applicants may list up to five programs and institutions in their application. However, please note that if you are awarded a fellowship, you must enroll in one of the programs and institutions listed in your application.
The International Master’s Degree Fellowship is specifically designed to support individuals who are pursuing their first master’s degree. The International Doctoral Degree Fellowship is specifically designed to support individuals who are pursuing their first doctoral degree.
Applicants must apply to one program type in a single field. You cannot apply to both a doctorate and a master’s program simultaneously.
International Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships are one-time awards and are not renewable. AAUW does not provide visa sponsorship or support services.

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