We understand that students and parents have a lot of questions about financing an education in the U.S. Below are several resources that provide answers to many of those questions.

New: 2024 Voice of American interview, "US University Education Expensive but Within Reach for Foreign Students"

What are all the components of financing an education?

What is the timeline to apply for financial aid?

Can an international student get a job while in the U.S.?

Does the U.S. Embassy offer scholarships?

Is it possible to get a full scholarship as an undergraduate student?

Is there financial aid for non-degree programs?

What other budget advice do you have for for international students?

Where can I find a list of external scholarships that do not require U.S. citizenship?

Your education is an investment in your future, and the return on that investment at AU is impressive. Find out where an AU degree can take you.

Other Sources of Financial Information

You may wish to review the following for information on additional sources of financial assistance:

• Your Embassy in Washington, D.C.
• EducationUSA Advising Center in your country
• International Student Organization
• International Student Loans
• Rowe Fund for Students from Caribbean/Latin America

• Antigua & Barbuda: The Board of Education Scholarship

• Bahamas: Lyford Cay Foundations Scholarships

• Barbados: The Clara Lionel Foundation Barbados Scholarship

AU APPLICATION AND MERIT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Below is important information for first-year applicants who wish to be considered for AU's partial scholarships:

• Apply for the fall (August) semester, not spring (January). No merit scholarships are available for spring start date. The fall regular decision application deadline is January 15. Please review our instructions for prospective first-year international students for application deadlines and requirements.

• Make sure your application packet is complete. Submit all items listed on the checklist, including the required AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF) confirming a minimum of US$81,620 on account- by the appropriate deadline. International applicants hoping to receive merit-based partial scholarships must still provide the required AU DFF form by the application deadline

• Plan to have at least this amount available for each additional year of undergraduate study (up to four years total). You do not have to submit a separate application for AU's partial merit scholarships. All academically qualified first-year applicants who submit complete application packets by the required deadline are automatically considered for eligibility for our partial scholarships. First-year applicants will be notified of any merit awards with their admission letter that is sent in the spring.

• AU merit scholarships are offered only at the time of admission. There are no further opportunities to apply for AU merit scholarships from the Office of Admissions once you have begun your studies.

• No increases in scholarship amounts are available from year to year. The initial amount of your AU merit scholarship remains constant for all four years of study.

• Costs for the 2025-2026 academic year (9 months) are estimated at US$81,620, subject to increase. This includes tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, insurance and personal expenses.

AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS)

The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. Bringing together the best of AU—academic excellence, leadership development, and global engagement—the AU Emerging Global Leader achieves, inspires, and serves with vision. The AU EGLS are dedicated to positive civic and social change, and to improve under-resourced, underserved communities in their home country.

The 2025 AU EGL scholarship covers all billable AU expenses (full tuition, room, and board) for two international students who will need a non-immigrant visa (preferably an F-1 or J-1 student visa) to study in the United States. The scholarship does not cover non-billable expenses such as mandatory health insurance, books, airline tickets, taxes, and miscellaneous expenses which students will need to pay out of pocket (approximately US$4,000 per year).

The AU EGL scholarship is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory academic performance. Students interested in all majors offered at AU are eligible to apply.

New: AU EGL partial scholarships! We’re excited to share that in addition to the two full 2025 AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarships covering all billable expenses, AU will also offer up to eight additional generous AU EGL partial scholarships valued at up to US$40,000/per year.

No additional application process is needed to be eligible for AU EGL partial scholarships. Partial scholarship candidates will be selected from talented applicants who complete the AU EGL scholarship process successfully. If you are recommended for an AU EGLs partial scholarship, you will need to submit proof of additional funds beyond the initial US$4,000 for the difference not covered by the AU EGLS partial scholarship. For example, if you are offered US$40,000/year, you will need to submit financial documents confirming US$42,000 on account for your first year instead of the full estimated costs of US$81,620.

Further information on the fall 2025 application process and deadlines can be found on ourAU EGLS website.

U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents

If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, please visit our financial aid website for more information on need-based financial aid opportunities.