American University launched the Elevate Scholarship Initiative, a new $25 million philanthropic effort to help undergraduate students overcome unexpected financial challenges and continue their educational pursuits. Student support is a critical component of Change Can’t Wait: The Campaign for American University. To date, the campaign raised more than $37 million in scholarship support. The Elevate Scholarship Initiative, which focuses specifically on flexible unrestricted scholarships, was kickstarted by a recent gift of $2 million from an anonymous alumnus and has raised nearly $5 million to-date. AU will match the overall philanthropic investment raised for this initiative with an additional $25 million.

“At AU, we’re committed to ensuring our students have every opportunity to thrive, and are empowered to live lives of purpose, service, and leadership,” said AU President Sylvia Burwell. “The Elevate Scholarship Initiative is our latest effort to ensure our students can do just that by helping to reduce unexpected financial stress. And the university is doubling down on our commitment to this effort by matching the $25 million we plan to raise.”  

Each year, as many as five hundred undergraduate AU students find their financial situation impacted by parental job loss, a death in the family, medical issues, or other unexpected expenses. Elevate Scholarships will help students remain at AU and alleviate financial stress. The initiative will help to ensure that students have unburdened opportunity to learn, foster relationships, engage in campus life, and participate in experiential learning that includes research, career development activities, and studying abroad, among many others.

About American University

American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU’s faculty, students, staff, and alumni are changemakers who shape the future from sustainability to social justice to the sciences. Building on our 129-year history of education and research in the public interest, we say ‘Challenge Accepted’ to addressing the world’s pressing issues. Our Change Can’t Wait comprehensive campaign creates transformative educational opportunities, advances research with impact, and builds stronger communities.