All accepted students to the graduate program will be considered for scholarship awards. We strongly encourage all students to submit a FAFSA with their application as this significantly increases the amount of funding that can be awarded to an accepted student. Please see also AU/CAS graduate Tuition and Funding details.

Scholarships

• Ruth Meixner-Bird Scholarship Fund 

• The Ruth Meixner-Bird Scholarship was created in 2016 by Ruth Meixner-Bird to support deserving graduate student(s) enrolled in the Studio Art program in CAS's Dept. of Art. Selection is made by Department; no applications process. New MFA students are eligible.

• Babs Van Swearingen Memorial Award

• The Van Swearingen Graduate Scholarship was established in 1974 by the estate of Earl Kendall Van Swearingen to support female graduate students pursuing a master's degree in the School of Communication or the College of Arts and Sciences. Selection is made by Department; no applications process. New MFA students are eligible.

Awards

• JoAnn Crisp-Ellert Graduate Purchase Prize Fund

• The JoAnn Crisp-Ellert Graduate Purchase Prize was established by the late JoAnn Crisp-Ellert, CAS/MA '62, CAS/PhD '70, a well-known Washington artist and former owner of Gallery 10. This prize is awarded to a graduate painting, printmaking, or sculpture student based on the body of work in his or her master's thesis exhibition. In turn, the prize recipient will donate one work of art from his or her master's thesis exhibition to American University. Selection is made by Department; no applications process. Returning MFA students are eligible.

• Catharina Baart Biddle Art Award

• The Catharine Baart Biddle Art Award was established by Catharina Baart Biddle (MFA/CAS/1981), a well-known Washington painter and philanthropist to the art community. Awarded annually, 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 (as determined by the chair of the Art Department) and be recommended by the faculty of the studio art program. The Award is to be used for the purchase of art supplies or other purposes supporting the student's artistic ability while the student is enrolled at the university. Selection is made by Department; no applications process. Returning MFA students are eligible.

• Carol Bird Ravenal Art Award

• The Carol Bird Ravenal Art Award was established in 2007 by Dr. Carol Bird Ravenal, professor emerita and former chair of the Department of Art, who taught both art history and studio art at American University. The award may be given to either undergraduate or graduate students. 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 student must return to AU for either the remainder of the summer or the following semester or year and must file a report on the project with the Department of Art. An application process exists in the Spring semester. Open to first and second year masters (returning) students. Contact program director for information.