American University Presidential Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

American University (AU) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to attract and support talented students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to specific fields or communities. This guide provides a detailed overview of the various presidential and merit-based scholarships available at American University, along with their eligibility requirements and application processes.

Merit-Based Scholarships for Freshmen

American University automatically considers all admitted students for merit-based scholarships. The Admissions Committee makes all merit-based scholarship decisions and notifies students at the time they are admitted or shortly thereafter. Your admissions application is your application for a merit-based scholarship. In general, admitted students awarded scholarships have excellent academic credentials and exhibit exceptional leadership skills. Most merit-based scholarships do not require an application for financial aid. However, AU strongly encourages merit award candidates to complete the forms required for need-based aid if they believe that they may need financial aid in addition to their merit award. 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.

Eligibility and Award Amounts

Eligible candidates for freshman merit awards demonstrate academic excellence and rank within the top 10 to 15 percent of AU’s admitted students. Scholarships range from $8,000 to $22,000.

Renewal Criteria

Scholarships are renewable for up to eight semesters of undergraduate study, provided that scholarship recipients:

Take at least 12 credits per semester.
Maintain a 3.2 or higher cumulative GPA.
Complete a total of 30 credits within the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Specific Freshman Scholarships

In addition to general merit-based scholarships, some students may be eligible for specific scholarships with unique requirements.

Read also: Internship Guide

Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program

Eligibility: Please visit the program’s webpage for detailed information.

United Methodist Scholarship

Eligibility: Children of an active, ordained Methodist minister. Applicants must submit a letter identifying themselves as the children of a Methodist minister.

Tuition Exchange (TE) Scholarship

American University participates in Tuition Exchange (TE), an organization with over 600 member schools that offer tuition benefits to the families of their employees.

Eligibility: To qualify, students must have a parent employed at one of the member institutions who meets their employer’s eligibility requirements.
Application Process: Parents of students applying to AU must contact their university’s Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer (TELO). The TELO will submit the application for TE on the family's behalf.
Deadlines:
- Early Decision 1 freshman applicants: November 15
- Early Decision 2 and Regular Decision freshman applicants: January 15
Selection: Tuition Exchange is a competitive scholarship based solely on academics. TE applicants are ranked based on high school academics, and the top students are selected to receive the scholarship. In the past, a small percentage of applicants received the award.
Award Amount: For the 24-25 academic year, the award is a set amount of $42,000 per year and is not a full tuition scholarship.
Usage: The scholarship can be applied towards AU Abroad programs but will not cover summer semesters.

Scholarships for Continuing Students

Continuing students (those who have been at AU for at least one year) are also allowed to apply for the Tuition Exchange scholarship year to year.

Scholarships for Graduate Students

American University offers a range of scholarships and fellowships specifically for graduate students.

Read also: American Career College Anaheim

Adel Ait-Ghezala Graduate Research Fellowships

These fellowships are available to graduate students enrolled in a master's or doctoral program at American University. The fellowships are intended to support applied, educational, or policy-relevant research programs designed to improve the lives of citizens in developing countries. This is a competitive fellowship. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their degrees to be eligible.

Dean's Scholar Award

One Dean's scholar from each graduate program may be selected each Fall and awarded $30,000.

Graduate Student Employee Professional Development Fund

American University has established this fund for graduate student employees pursuing doctoral degrees to provide support for professional development opportunities related to the student’s program of study.

Hart A. Massey Fellowship

The Hart A. Massey Fellowship is awarded each academic year to one or more incoming Canadian students (enrolled as residential or online students) pursuing graduate studies at American University. The fellowship is applied to tuition charges.

The United Methodist Graduate Scholarship

The United Methodist Graduate Scholarship is awarded each academic year to a graduate student enrolled at American University who is a full member of the United Methodist Church for at least one year prior to application. The scholarship is applied to tuition charges. Awards are renewable (but not guaranteed) for one year to students who show satisfactory progress towards their graduate degree.

Read also: Understanding the LSAT for AU WCL

School of Education Partnerships and Scholarships

The American University School of Education (SOE) has established several partnerships to offer tuition scholarships to students affiliated with specific organizations. These scholarships typically offer a 29% tuition reduction for graduate programs.

AISGW-Affiliated Participants Scholarship

The American University School of Education has partnered with The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW) to offer AISGW-affiliated participants a 29% tuition scholarship. AISGW member schools include:

Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Edmund Burke School
Georgetown Day School
Lab School of Washington
The Langley School
Maret School
McLean School
National Cathedral School
The Potomac School
Sidwell Friends (Lower) School
St. Albans School

City Teaching Alliance Alumni Scholarship

The American University School of Education offers City Teaching Alliance alumni a 29% tuition scholarship for graduate programs. Students in the City Teaching Alliance program receive the greatest discount through our AU-CTA partnership.

City Year Corps Members, Alumni, and Staff Scholarship

American University has partnered with City Year to offer City Year corps members, alumni, and staff a 29% tuition scholarship for graduate programs. City Year participants should have completed their year of service before entering the program.

Fulbright Scholars Tuition Discounts

The American University School of Education offers Fulbright Scholars tuition discounts towards our graduate degrees. This partnership offers additional funding in merit scholarships.

Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program Scholarship

American University has partnered with the Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program to offer graduate degree students a 29% tuition scholarship to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs).

Teach for America (TFA) Partnership

The American University School of Education is proud to partner with Teach for America (TFA) as part of a joint effort to confront educational inequity by offering a 29% tuition scholarship.

Truman Scholars Program

The American University School of Education has partnered with Truman to offer graduate scholarships. AU provides a $30,000 scholarship match for Truman Scholars admitted to SOE.

US-Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association (USJETAA) Scholarship

The American University School of Education has partnered with US-Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association (USJETAA) to offer affiliated participants who are graduate students a 29% tuition scholarship for on-campus programs.

General Application Information for School of Education Scholarships

Applications for these partnerships are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled.

Scholarships and Awards in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

The College of Arts and Sciences offers numerous scholarships and awards to recognize and support talented students in various disciplines.

AU Scholars and Artists Fellowships

These fellowships provide support for undergraduates to conduct full-time research that leads to significant scholarly or creative work. Fellows work closely with faculty mentors, enhancing faculty research or creativity. Faculty mentors receive a stipend to guide students through their research apprenticeship. Fellows are required to work full-time on their research for a designated period of eight weeks in the summer.

CAS Summer Undergraduate Fellowships

These fellowships support student-initiated research and creative activities completed under the direction of faculty mentors. The fellowships provide awards to students and stipends to faculty mentors, who provide mentorship over the summer to help students develop and execute research, scholarly, or artistic projects. Student awardees must have declared CAS majors, and faculty mentors must be full-time CAS faculty during the award period. Students may receive only one summer award and are required to work on their research project for a specified number of hours per week for a certain number of weeks in the summer.

Art-related Scholarships and Awards

The Carol Bird Ravenal Art Award: This award may be given to either undergraduate or graduate students and alternates annually between the Studio and Art History Programs. The award is competitive, and students must apply with proposals for suitable projects using the funds for summer travel for educational or research purposes.
The Catharine Baart Biddle Art Award: This scholarship is intended to provide financial support for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the studio art program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Eligible students will demonstrate artistic talent and be recommended by the faculty of the studio art program.
The Allan Carney Memorial Scholarship: Established in memory of Allan Carney, an artist who decorated and restored the interiors of churches.
The Dean and Rosina Carter Endowed Sculptor Scholarship: Established through the generosity of Dean Carter and his wife, Rosina Carter.
The Helene M. Herzbrun Scholarship: Established in memory of Helene Herzbrun, an artist and former chair of the Department of Fine Arts.
The Pearl Rance-Reardon Scholarship: Established by Pearl Rance-Reardon.
The Serge Sacknoff Memorial Sculpture Scholarship: Established in memory of Serge Sacknoff by his daughter, Marianne Sacknoff.

Biology-related Scholarships and Awards

The Stephen C. Grebe Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship provides biology undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain summer research experience by working with a biology faculty member on a research project for a minimum of eight weeks over the summer. Biology students who have completed at least 15 credits of study and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 are eligible to apply.

Chemistry-related Scholarships and Awards

The Anthony M. Schwartz Fellowship: This fellowship supports undergraduate students conducting chemistry research. Preference is given to junior chemistry majors, although applications from sophomores are also welcome. Selection is based on grades, recommendations, and a statement of the student's interest in chemistry research.

History-related Scholarships and Awards

The Dorothy Gondos Beers Scholarship: Awarded annually to a deserving student in the Department of History who may use the funds to meet the costs associated with attendance at the University. Decisions for awards are made by the History Faculty Undergraduate Committee and are based on merit and financial need.
The Dorothy and Victor Gondos, Jr. Undergraduate Research Prize: Recognizes excellence in historical research that makes substantial use of the collections National Archives.
The Anna Kasten Nelson Award for Excellence in History: Presented to students enrolled in HIST-482 or Thesis during the year who have a GPA of 3.5 or better in the major.
Conference Support: Available through the History Department for undergraduate students presenting a paper at a conference.

Jewish Studies-related Scholarships and Awards

The Everett and Marian Gordon Scholarship: Awarded to the most promising student planning a major in Jewish studies, with preference given to students without a background in Jewish studies. The scholarship may also be awarded to senior students for an outstanding thesis.
The Stephen and Lynn Greenfield Family Scholarship: Provides financial support to an undergraduate student enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who has attained a minimum GPA and completed a minimum number of credits.
The Judaic Arts and Studies Scholarship: A $2,000 award for students enrolled in the Jewish Studies Program, to be used for developing Jewish scholarship and study by providing books and media materials.
The Estelle Seldowitz Endowed Scholarship: Provides funding for students pursuing a course of study of or including Jewish Studies.
The Waisman Scholarship in Jewish and Israel Studies: Provides scholarship support to undergraduate students with demonstrated merit and/or financial need who have declared a major or minor in Jewish and/or Israel Studies.

Literature-related Scholarships and Awards

The Rudolph Von Abele Memorial Scholarship: Supports undergraduate students specializing in European or British literature who exhibit financial need and high academic achievement.
The Gisela B. Trechsel Scholarship in Literature: Available to both graduate and undergraduate students, with preference given to graduate students. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA and have completed a minimum number of credits.

Mathematics and Statistics Awards

Book Awards: Faculty members recommend students, and a faculty committee presents book awards every year. Each award provides funding towards the purchase of textbooks in future courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Performing Arts-related Scholarships and Awards

The Barnee and Dolores Breeskin Scholarship: Established in memory of Barnee Breeskin, who wrote the music for "Hail to the Redskins."
The Sylvia and Harold Greenberg Scholarship: Awarded annually to undergraduate students in a performing arts program.
The Mary Miller Patton Scholarship: Supports students in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Performing Arts chosen by the department chair, majoring in theatre or music.
The Esther W. Ballou Memorial Scholarship: Established in memory of Esther Williamson Ballou, a former composer and faculty member.
The Lilyan Evans Music Scholarship: Established by Mrs. Lilyan Evans and her two sons.
The Mary Howe and Hans Kindler Memorial Scholarship: Established in memory of Mary Howe and Hans Kindler, co-founders of the National Symphony Orchestra.
The David W. Wainhouse Memorial Scholarship: Established in memory of David W. Wainhouse, in recognition of the pleasure and enrichment he received from his studies in the Music Program.

Philosophy and Religion-related Scholarships and Awards

The Edward C. Bou Award in Philosophy and Religion: A merit scholarship in support of undergraduate majors in philosophy or philosophy graduate students, with preference given to graduate students.
The Bordan Parker Bowne Scholarship: Provides support to an undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates academic excellence in philosophy, with preference given to graduate students.
The Harold J. and Ruth Pearson Prize: Recognizes excellence in philosophy by an undergraduate major in philosophy.

Washington College of Law (AUWCL) Scholarships

The AUWCL Office of Admissions considers all applicants for merit scholarships at the time of their admission; a separate application is not required. Merit scholarship awards primarily consider applicant academic indicators (LSAT/GRE and undergraduate GPA). Merit scholarships for full-time JD students are renewable for up to three academic years per the AUWCL Merit Scholarship Policy.

The Public Interest Public Service (PIPS) Scholarship

The Public Interest Public Service (PIPS) Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship awarded to incoming (1L) full-time JD students only. The scholarship is awarded to those with a demonstrated commitment to public service, strong academic credentials, and a desire to pursue a public interest or public service career upon graduation.

The Myers Law Scholarship

The Myers Law Scholarship is AUWCL’s most prestigious award and provides one-year scholarships to matriculated full-time JD students (priority given to upper-level students with an AUWCL need-based grant) who show academic promise and demonstrate financial need.

Named Scholarships

Through the generosity of AUWCL friends and alumni, dozens of named scholarships are awarded annually ranging in amounts from $1,000 to upwards of $20,000 depending on funding levels in a given year. Selection criteria for these scholarships vary.

The United Methodist Scholarship

The United Methodist Scholarship is awarded each academic year to full-time JD law students who are full members of the United Methodist Church for at least one year prior to application. International students from one of the United Methodist Church Central Conferences must be a member of The United Methodist Church for a minimum of three years.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

AU District Scholars Award

American University is committed to helping students in the District of Columbia further their education after high school. The AU District Scholars Award will cover full tuition as well as room and board at AU. A limited number of scholarships are awarded annually to deserving students who demonstrate academic achievement and significant financial need.

National Merit Scholarship

To be considered for an AU sponsored National Merit Scholarship, students must be a National Merit Finalist and list AU as their first choice school by the NMSC published deadline. All finalists will receive a set amount annually. This scholarship is renewable up to eight semesters if students maintain satisfactory academic progress.

ETS Presidential Scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Students

The ETS Presidential Scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Students recognizes excelling rising juniors or seniors at HBCUs - four from private HBCUs and four from public HBCUs.

ETS-Trenton Central High School (TCHS) Scholarship Program

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.

ETS Cares Scholarships

The ETS Cares Scholarships will be awarded to public high school graduating seniors facing great challenges and still intending to enroll full-time in a postsecondary educational institution this fall or pursuing a degree.

The Lenora M. Green, Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, and Robert (Bob) Moses Scholarships

These scholarships are named after prominent figures and are meant for students at US universities during the next academic school year.

General Scholarship Information

All admitted students, regardless of nationality, are considered for academic/merit scholarships for which they are eligible. Most merit-based scholarships do not require an application for financial aid. However, American University strongly encourages merit award candidates to complete the forms required for need-based aid if they believe that they may need financial aid in addition to their merit award.

Application Deadlines and Processes

Deadlines for programs can be found on the American University website. Applications for many scholarships and partnerships are accepted and processed on a rolling admissions basis until cohorts are filled. Be sure to check the specific requirements and deadlines for each scholarship program you are interested in.

Leveraging a Bachelor's Degree for a Master's

Undergraduates are incentivized to become graduate students at the university. If you weren’t able to take advantage of the Bachelor’s/Master’s Combined Degree Program as an AU undergrad, you still have the opportunity to leverage your AU bachelor’s degree toward pursuing your master’s. Build on your bachelor’s degree at the place that knows you best.

Important Considerations

Combining Discounts: Students with an affiliation with an external group that has negotiated a tuition discount cannot combine the discounts.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Students must be making satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees in order to be eligible for scholarships and fellowships.
Summer Sessions: Scholarships are typically only applied to fall and spring semesters and may not be used toward summer sessions.

Resources for Students

American University offers a variety of resources to support students in their academic and personal lives.

Advisors: Your advisor will help you review your progress and discuss possible summer enrollment options that can help you meet the enrollment criteria. View your advisor information, eAdvisorTM tracking status, academic status reports, and progress reports.
Counseling and Mental Health Services: Counseling and mental health services are available to you at each ASU campus. Counseling staff have training and experience in issues facing university students and are committed to helping you adjust to campus life and meet your academic goals.
Student Success Center: The Student Success Center offers free academic support resources for all students including tutoring, writing support, structured study groups, coaching, success courses or a place to study on your own.

tags: #American #University #Presidential #Scholarship #requirements