International students planning to study in the United States in 2027 can explore several scholarship and financial-support opportunities at American University — AU in Washington, DC.

American University provides merit-based funding opportunities for eligible:

Undergraduate Students

Master’s Students

and

Doctoral Students.

For first-year international undergraduate applicants, AU offers highly competitive:

Partial Merit Scholarships

that can be renewed for up to four years.

The university also offers the separate:

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship — AU EGLS

which provides significantly higher levels of financial support for selected international students.

For the Fall 2027 cycle, the university currently states that applicants seeking consideration for the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship must complete the required application process by:

January 15, 2027.

Graduate students may also qualify for:

Departmental Merit Awards

Scholarships

Graduate Assistantships

and in some cases:

Stipends.

This creates several potential funding routes for international students considering American University for the 2027–2028 academic year.

American University Scholarships 2027 Overview

Category	Details
University	American University
Location	Washington, DC, United States
Scholarship cycle	2027–2028
International students eligible	Yes
Undergraduate merit scholarships	Yes
Undergraduate merit funding	Partial scholarships
Typical partial merit range	$8,000–$25,000 per academic year
Renewable	Up to four undergraduate years with satisfactory performance
Separate major scholarship	AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
Full AU EGL awards	2 awards covering billable AU expenses
Additional EGL partial awards	Up to 8
EGL partial scholarship value	Up to $40,000 per year
EGL 2027 deadline	January 15, 2027
Master’s funding	Merit scholarships and possible assistantship stipends
Doctoral funding	Competitive departmental awards
Need-based aid for international students	Generally not available
Federal student loans for F-1/J-1 students	Not available
Application	Through American University admissions

Scholarships for International Students at American University

American University states that international students may receive:

Merit Awards

and

Scholarships

from the university and other organisations to help finance their studies.

Funding differs depending on whether the applicant is:

Undergraduate

Graduate.

International applicants should understand that AU does not provide the same financial-aid system available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

For international students, funding is primarily:

Merit Based.

Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students

First-year international applicants can be considered for:

American University Merit Scholarships.

For the standard partial merit awards:

No Separate Scholarship Application Is Required.

Eligible applicants are automatically considered as part of the:

Admission Process.

This makes the regular AU merit awards relatively straightforward from an application perspective.

How Much Are American University Merit Scholarships?

American University’s current international admissions guidance states that its partial merit scholarships have ranged from:

US$8,000 to US$25,000 Per Academic Year.

These awards are:

Partial Scholarships

rather than full scholarships.

Students receiving the maximum award could potentially receive substantial tuition support across four years if the scholarship remains renewable and all conditions are maintained.

Scholarships Can Be Renewed for Four Years

American University states that its undergraduate merit awards can be renewed for:

All Four Years of Undergraduate Study

provided the student maintains:

Successful Continued Academic Performance.

This is important because a renewable scholarship may provide considerably greater total value than a one-year award.

For example, a scholarship worth:

$25,000 Per Year

could represent significant support over four academic years, although students must continue meeting the university’s scholarship conditions.

Who Receives AU Merit Scholarships?

American University says merit awards for international students are based on a combination of:

Outstanding Academic Achievement

Excellent English Communication Skills

Leadership

Volunteerism

and

Community Service.

This means grades alone may not be enough.

Strong candidates should demonstrate both:

Academic Excellence

and

Meaningful Engagement Outside the Classroom.

Scholarships Are Highly Competitive

American University explicitly describes international merit scholarship consideration as:

Highly Competitive.

The number of available scholarships is:

Limited.

Students should therefore avoid assuming that admission automatically means receiving a scholarship.

Scholarships Are Awarded at Admission

American University states that merit scholarships are awarded:

At the Time of Admission.

They are not normally awarded after a student has already enrolled.

For prospective international students, this means the strongest scholarship strategy starts:

Before Admission.

No Separate Application for Partial Merit Scholarships

One of the benefits of the regular undergraduate merit programme is that international applicants generally do not need to submit a separate merit scholarship form.

Students who submit an admission application are considered according to the university’s current scholarship process.

The major exception is the:

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship.

That award requires a:

Separate Application Process.

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship 2027

The:

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

is one of the university’s most competitive scholarships for international undergraduate students.

The award is designed around:

Educational Access

International Diversity

Leadership

and

Community Impact.

For the Fall 2027 admissions cycle, the university currently lists:

January 15, 2027

as the required application deadline for the AU EGLS process.

What Does the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Cover?

American University states that the main AU EGL Scholarship covers:

All Billable AU Expenses

for selected international students.

These billable expenses include:

Full Tuition

Room

and

Board.

This makes the AU EGL Scholarship considerably more comprehensive than the standard partial merit scholarships.

Two Full AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarships

American University’s current scholarship information indicates that:

Two International Students

can receive AU EGL awards covering all billable university expenses.

Applicants needing a:

Non-Immigrant Student Visa

such as an:

F-1

J-1

visa can be considered under the programme’s eligibility framework.

What Is Not Covered?

The full AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship does not cover every expense associated with international study.

American University specifically identifies non-billable costs such as:

Mandatory Health Insurance

Books

Airline Tickets

Taxes

and

Miscellaneous Expenses

as costs students need to fund separately.

The university estimates these at approximately:

US$4,000 Per Year.

Students should therefore not describe the scholarship as covering literally every possible personal expense.

Up to Eight Additional Partial EGL Scholarships

American University has expanded the Emerging Global Leader programme beyond the two principal awards.

The university currently states that it will offer:

Up to Eight Additional AU EGL Partial Scholarships.

These awards can be worth:

Up to US$40,000 Per Year.

This provides another important scholarship route for applicants who are strong candidates but are not selected for one of the two comprehensive awards.

Potential Scholarship Value

A partial EGL award worth:

Up to $40,000 Per Year

could represent substantial funding over a four-year undergraduate degree.

Applicants should check their individual scholarship offer for:

Exact Value

Renewability

and

Conditions.

AU EGL Scholarship Is Renewable

The main Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is renewable for:

Four Years of Undergraduate Study

provided the student maintains:

Satisfactory Academic Performance.

This makes it a multi-year award rather than a one-time scholarship.

Who Can Apply for AU EGLS?

The scholarship is intended for eligible:

International First-Year Students.

The university gives preference to candidates who combine academic ability with:

Leadership

Volunteerism

Community Service

and

Commitment to Improving Conditions in Their Home Countries.

Preference for Students Who Have Overcome Challenges

AU specifically says preference is given to international students who have overcome:

Obstacles

and

Challenges

as well as applicants from:

Diverse

and

Underrepresented Global and Socioeconomic Backgrounds.

This makes the student’s personal story particularly important.

Leadership and Community Service

The university also gives preference to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to:

Leadership

Volunteerism

and

Community Service.

Strong applicants should provide concrete evidence showing what they have actually done.

Examples may include:

Leading a Youth Programme

Starting a Community Initiative

Mentoring Students

Supporting an NGO

Leading a School Organisation

Developing a Social-Impact Project.

Commitment to the Applicant’s Home Country

The scholarship places emphasis on applicants who demonstrate commitment to advancing the needs of people in their:

Home Country.

This means applicants should think carefully about:

Long-Term Impact.

A strong application should show not only why the applicant wants an American education, but how that education could eventually benefit:

Communities

Institutions

Society

in their home country.

High School Graduation Requirement

For the 2027 cycle, the university gives preference to students who are:

Still Enrolled in Secondary or High School

and expected to graduate by:

June 2027.

This reinforces the scholarship’s focus on:

First-Year Undergraduate Applicants.

English Proficiency

Applicants should meet American University’s:

English Proficiency Requirements.

The university currently accepts several recognised tests depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

These can include:

TOEFL

IELTS

Duolingo English Test

PTE

LanguageCert

and

Cambridge English Assessments.

Applicants should confirm the current minimum score requirement for their chosen admissions cycle.

AU EGL Scholarship Deadline 2027

For the current Fall 2027 cycle, applicants must complete the required AU EGLS application process by:

January 15, 2027.

This includes both the:

University Admission Application

and

Scholarship Application Requirements.

Late applications will not be considered.

Step 1 — Submit the Common Application

Applicants who want consideration for the:

Full or Partial AU EGL Scholarships

must first complete their:

Common Application

along with all required supporting documents.

The required deadline is:

January 15, 2027.

Step 2 — Complete the AU EGLS Application

After completing the admission application and receiving access to their applicant portal, candidates need to submit the:

AU EGL Scholarship Application

and required:

Essays.

These must also be completed by:

January 15, 2027.

Financial Documentation for AU EGL Applicants

Students applying for the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship must submit:

A Bank Letter

and

AU Declaration of Finances Form — AU DFF.

The current requirement is for these documents to demonstrate at least:

US$4,000.

This reflects the non-billable expenses that remain the student’s responsibility.

Why the $4,000 Requirement Matters

Even though the comprehensive EGL award covers:

Tuition

Room

and

Board,

students still need funding for costs outside the university’s billable expenses.

Applicants therefore need to demonstrate that they can cover the estimated:

$4,000 Annual Funding Gap.

English Test Results

AU EGL applicants must ensure official English proficiency test scores are sent directly to:

American University

by the required deadline where applicable.

Students generally should not assume that uploading an unofficial screenshot will satisfy this requirement.

Interviews for Finalists

Semi-finalists and finalists may be required to participate in:

Zoom Interviews

and potentially complete:

Additional Essays.

This means applicants should be prepared to discuss:

Leadership

Personal Challenges

Community Service

Academic Goals

and

Future Impact.

When Will 2027 Scholarship Results Be Released?

American University states that:

Finalists and Award Winners

for the 2027 AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship are expected to be notified by:

April 1, 2027.

Fall 2027 Admission Deadlines

American University currently lists the following general first-year admission deadlines:

Early Action — November 1

Early Decision I — November 1

Early Decision II — January 15

and

Regular Decision — January 15.

Students applying for the AU EGLS should follow the dedicated scholarship instructions rather than relying only on general admission dates.

Spring Admission

International students planning to begin studies in the:

Spring Semester

currently have a general application deadline of:

October 1.

However, scholarship availability may differ for spring admission.

Students seeking the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship should follow the specific EGL cycle.

Financial Proof for Other International Undergraduate Applicants

International students who need an:

F-1

J-1

visa must demonstrate sufficient finances as part of American University’s international admissions process.

For applicants who are not applying through the EGL financial arrangement, AU’s current first-year international guidance requires documentation showing:

US$87,374

in available financial resources.

This figure reflects the university’s current financial documentation requirement and may change in future admissions cycles.

Students should always check the newest:

Declaration of Finances

requirements before applying.

International Admission Is Need Aware

American University currently describes undergraduate admission for international students as:

Need Aware.

This means the university can consider the applicant’s ability to pay educational costs when making international admission decisions.

This is an important distinction.

Students should not assume that AU uses a:

Need-Blind

international admissions policy.

No Need-Based Financial Aid for International Students

American University’s current guidance states that:

Need-Based Financial Aid Is Not Available to International Students.

This includes university need-based aid under the general international admissions framework.

International students should therefore focus on:

Merit Scholarships

External Scholarships

and

Personal or Sponsor Funding.

F-1 and J-1 Students Cannot Receive U.S. Federal Loans

American University’s International Student and Scholar Services page states that:

F-1

and

J-1

students are not eligible for:

U.S. Federal Government Student Loans.

International students should therefore not build their financial plans around federal student aid.

Graduate Scholarships for International Students

Funding is also available for some international:

Master’s

and

Doctoral

students.

Unlike undergraduate merit scholarships, graduate funding is often managed directly by:

Academic Departments.

Graduate Merit Awards

Talented international master’s and doctoral applicants may qualify for:

Graduate Merit Awards.

The exact award can vary significantly from one:

Programme

Department

to another.

Graduate Stipends

American University states that:

Stipends May Also Be Available

through certain graduate funding arrangements.

Students should check directly with their academic department for:

Funding Amounts

Assistantship Responsibilities

and

Eligibility.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate funding may include:

Graduate Assistantships.

Depending on the programme, these can potentially combine:

Partial Tuition Support

with

A Stipend.

Exact terms vary.

How to Apply for Graduate Merit Assistance

Graduate applicants can indicate their interest in:

Merit Assistance

when applying for an eligible graduate programme.

Some schools and departments automatically consider applicants, while others may have additional processes.

Students should verify the rules of their specific programme.

College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Funding

American University’s College of Arts and Sciences currently states that eligible domestic and international graduate applicants may receive support through:

Scholarships

and

Stipends.

For master’s programmes, applicants can be automatically considered for merit awards.

These can include:

Partial Tuition Scholarships

Partial Tuition Plus Graduate Assistantship Stipends.

Doctoral Funding

A limited number of competitive awards are available to:

Doctoral Applicants.

American University states that doctoral applicants in relevant programmes can be automatically considered for available graduate awards.

Graduate Scholarship Deadlines

American University’s general graduate scholarship information says the deadline for:

Most Graduate Scholarship Applications

is:

February 1.

However, individual programmes and departments may have different requirements.

Applicants should confirm their own programme deadline.

Hart A. Massey Fellowship

One graduate opportunity identified by American University is the:

Hart A. Massey Fellowship.

This fellowship is offered to one or more incoming:

Canadian Students

pursuing:

Full-Time Graduate Study

at American University.

The fellowship is applied toward:

Tuition Charges.

This is an example of how certain graduate awards may be targeted by:

Nationality

or other specific eligibility conditions.

Restricted and Endowed Awards

American University also administers a limited number of:

Restricted

and

Endowed Scholarships.

Eligible students may be:

Automatically Considered

without submitting an additional scholarship application.

These awards can be based on:

Merit

Academic Programme

Need

or criteria specified by individual donors.

Current award values can range from:

$100 to $10,000.

These awards are generally:

Non-Renewable.

American University Schools and Colleges

Graduate scholarship opportunities may be available through academic units including:

College of Arts and Sciences

Kogod School of Business

School of Communication

School of International Service

School of Public Affairs

and

Washington College of Law.

Funding availability varies by programme.

Scholarships for International Relations Students

American University’s location in:

Washington, DC

can make the university particularly attractive to students interested in:

International Relations

International Development

Public Policy

Diplomacy

and

Global Affairs.

Students interested in these areas should explore graduate funding through the:

School of International Service.

Scholarships for Public Policy Students

Students pursuing careers in:

Government

Public Administration

Policy Analysis

or related areas can investigate programmes through the:

School of Public Affairs.

Scholarships for Business Students

International applicants considering:

Business

Finance

Management

or related fields can explore graduate programmes and scholarship opportunities through:

Kogod School of Business.

Scholarships for Communication Students

Applicants interested in:

Journalism

Strategic Communication

Media

and related areas can investigate funding through the:

School of Communication.

How to Build a Strong Undergraduate Scholarship Application

For AU merit scholarships, applicants should focus on the qualities the university explicitly identifies.

These include:

Academic Achievement

English Communication

Leadership

Volunteerism

and

Community Service.

Academic Achievement

Strong grades can help demonstrate that a student is prepared for:

University-Level Study.

Competitive scholarship applicants should ensure their transcripts show consistent:

Academic Performance.

English Communication

American University specifically includes:

Excellent Communication Skills in English

among the criteria for international merit awards.

Students should therefore pay close attention to:

Application Essays

and

English Proficiency Requirements.

Leadership

Strong applicants should provide specific evidence of:

Leadership.

This could involve:

Leading a School Club

Coordinating a Community Project

Running a Student Organisation

Creating a Social Initiative

Mentoring Other Students.

Volunteerism

Volunteer activities can strengthen an application when they show genuine:

Commitment

rather than participation only for scholarship purposes.

Applicants should explain:

What They Did

Who Benefited

and

What Changed.

Community Service

Community impact is particularly important for the:

Emerging Global Leader Scholarship.

Applicants should connect their activities to broader problems they want to help address.

Build a Strong EGL Scholarship Essay

An effective essay should help the selection committee understand:

Your Background

Challenges You Have Overcome

Leadership

Community Impact

Academic Goals

and

Future Plans.

Avoid simply repeating your academic transcript.

Explain Why American University

A strong scholarship application should explain why:

American University

specifically fits your goals.

Consider factors such as:

Academic Programme

Washington, DC Location

Faculty

Research

and

Professional Opportunities.

Explain Your Future Impact

For the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, candidates should demonstrate how their education could contribute to:

Positive Change

in their:

Home Country

or communities.

A specific plan is stronger than a vague statement about wanting to:

Help People.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does American University offer scholarships to international students?

Yes.

International students can receive merit-based scholarships and certain graduate awards.

Are undergraduate international students automatically considered?

For AU’s standard partial merit scholarships:

Yes.

No separate scholarship application is generally required.

Are the standard AU merit scholarships fully funded?

No.

American University explicitly describes its regular international merit scholarships as:

Partial Awards.

How much are AU international merit scholarships?

The university’s current guidance says partial merit scholarships have ranged from:

$8,000 to $25,000 Per Academic Year.

Are the merit scholarships renewable?

Yes.

Eligible awards can be renewed for:

Four Years

based on successful continued academic performance.

What is the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship?

It is a separate highly competitive scholarship for eligible international first-year undergraduate students with strong:

Academic

Leadership

and

Community-Service

profiles.

Does the EGL Scholarship cover full tuition?

The main EGL awards cover:

Full Tuition

as well as:

Room and Board.

How many full EGL awards are available?

American University currently states that there are:

Two

full AU EGL awards covering billable expenses.

Are there partial EGL scholarships?

Yes.

The university currently offers up to:

Eight Additional Partial EGL Scholarships

worth as much as:

$40,000 Per Year.

What is the AU EGLS deadline for 2027?

The current deadline is:

January 15, 2027.

When will successful candidates hear back?

Finalists and award winners are expected to be notified by:

April 1, 2027.

Does the full EGL Scholarship cover flights?

No.

American University specifically lists:

Airfare

among the non-billable expenses not covered.

Does it cover health insurance?

Mandatory health insurance is also listed among the:

Non-Billable Expenses

students must finance separately.

How much should EGL applicants demonstrate financially?

Current scholarship instructions require a bank letter and AU Declaration of Finances confirming at least:

US$4,000.

Does AU offer need-based aid to international students?

American University’s current guidance states that:

No Need-Based Financial Aid

is generally available to international students.

Can F-1 students receive federal student loans?

No.

F-1 and J-1 international students are not eligible for:

U.S. Federal Student Loans.

Are graduate scholarships available?

Yes.

International master’s and doctoral students may qualify for:

Departmental Merit Awards

Assistantships

and potentially:

Stipends.

Do graduate scholarship amounts vary?

Yes.

Graduate funding differs significantly by:

School

Department

and

Programme.

What is the usual graduate scholarship deadline?

American University’s general guidance says most graduate scholarship applications have a deadline around:

February 1,

but programme-specific deadlines should always be confirmed.

Opportunities Feed Assessment

American University’s international scholarship structure provides several distinct funding paths, but applicants need to understand the difference between them.

The standard:

International First-Year Merit Awards

are:

Partial Scholarships

currently ranging from approximately:

$8,000 to $25,000 Per Academic Year.

They require:

No Separate Merit Scholarship Application

and can be renewed for:

Four Years

with satisfactory academic performance.

The university’s standout opportunity is the:

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship.

For the 2027 cycle, this programme provides:

Two Awards Covering Full Tuition, Room and Board

and potentially:

Up to Eight Additional Partial Awards Worth Up to $40,000 Per Year.

Applicants should note that even the comprehensive award does not cover costs such as:

Flights

Books

Health Insurance

Taxes

and other personal expenses.

The current application deadline is:

January 15, 2027.

Students targeting this award should prepare:

Academic Records

English Test Results

Leadership Evidence

Community-Service Experience

Strong Essays

and

Financial Documents

well before the deadline.

Graduate students also have funding possibilities, but these are much more:

Programme Specific.

The best strategy for graduate applicants is:

Choose Your Degree → Check the Department → Review Merit Awards and Assistantships → Confirm the Funding Deadline → Apply Early.

For international students seeking undergraduate study in Washington, DC, the combination of:

Partial Merit Scholarships

Full EGL Awards

and

Up to $40,000 Annual EGL Partial Scholarships

makes American University a notable institution to include in a 2027 U.S. scholarship search.

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