All admitted students, regardless of nationality, are considered for academic/merit scholarships for which they are eligible. 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, we strongly encourage 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.

Freshman Merit Awards

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 scholarship. No separate scholarship application is required except for the AU United Methodist Scholarship and Tuition Exchange Scholarship.

• AU Presidential Scholarship

• AU Deans' Scholarship

• AU Leadership Scholarship

• National Achievement and National Merit Scholarships

  Eligibility: Freshman applicants who were named National Achievement and National Merit finalists and semi-finalists who designate AU as their first choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by February 1 of their senior year.

• 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. Contact Christine Gettings, Kay Spiritual Life Center Operations Administrator at gettings@american.edu or at 202-885-3321.

• Athletic Scholarships

  Eligibility: Outstanding freshman and transfer athletes. Contact Athletics at 202-885-3000.

• Tuition Exchange Scholarships

  Eligibility: Students whose parents are employed by one of over 160 colleges participating in the Tuition Exchange Program. For information call 202-885-6000 and ask to speak with the Tuition Exchange liaison. Freshman applicants and current AU students must submit their Tuition Exchange application by January 15. Transfer students must submit their Tuition Exchange application by March 1.

• Restricted/Endowed Awards

  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. Criteria may be based on merit, academic program, need or other factors as designated by the donor.

  Awards are not announced until after the start of the fall semester. Awards range from $100 to $10,000 and are not renewable.