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Financing Your Education

At SOE, we know that the future leaders in education come from all academic, social and economic backgrounds. We understand that financing your education can be a challenge, which is why we offer financial support to eligible graduate students, both domestic and international, in the form of scholarships, partnership discounts and grants.

Undergraduate Scholarships

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. Undergraduate scholarships are administered by the Office of Financial Aid. We strongly encourage merit award candidates to complete the forms required for need-based aid. 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.

Graduate Scholarships

Graduate scholarships are awarded by the School of Education. The Office of Financial Aid does not administer these awards. The deadline for most scholarship applications is February 1. Please contact the graduate admissions office for more information on applications and deadlines.

Information for Active Military, Veterans and Dependents
Office of Financial Aid
Off-Campus Housing Information

Graduate Merit Scholarships

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Merit based scholarships are available for all students who do not qualify for partnership discounts. Merit aid is determined upon admittance to the program. Decisions are made based on the strength of the application and are typically released with the decision for admission. Students are encouraged to apply early to guarantee merit. Applicants who wish to be guaranteed consideration for merit must apply on or before February 1. View Priority Deadlines

SOE Scholarships

One Dean's scholar from each graduate program is selected each Fall. Scholars are chosen by a faculty board from the pool of admitted students.

Candidates interested in becoming the Dean's scholar should:

  • Apply on or before February 1
  • Note their interest in their statement of purpose

Selected candidates will hear from AU School of Education on or before February 21. 

Fully funded scholarship for incoming freshman. The scholarship funds the student for four years at the university.

Scholarship awarded to a full or part time student enrolled in the Masters of Special Education program. Recipients must demonstrate a strong commitment to students with special need as well as commitment to teaching grades K-12.

The recipient of this scholarship must be enrolled at the School of Education with a concentration in Special Education. The scholarship awardee must maintain a 3.5 GPA and complete a minimum of 30 credit hours per year.

The endowed scholarship is in support of students in their junior and senior years. Also, students enrolled in graduate programs at the School of Education are eligible for this particular scholarship.

Additional Aid

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs awarded Dr. Sarah Irvine Belson a five-year grant to support the Early Literacy Intervention Leads Program (ELI Leads). This $1 million grant will provide full funding for eight doctoral candidates in the School of Education's EdD in Education Policy and Leadership. Visit the ELI Grant Page to learn more about the qualifiactions for this grant and how to apply! 

We offer a 29% tution discount to Payne and McNair Scholars. Applicants will select these options on their application and must list their service with Payne or McNair on their resume. 

Applicants interested in learning more about American University's participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program and other Veteran benefits should visit Veteran Student Services for more information.

The ETS Presidential Scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Students recognizes eight excelling rising juniors or seniors at HBCUs – four from private HBCUs and four from public HBCUs. Those selected will receive a full tuition-only need/merit scholarships for the 2023–2024 academic school year.

The ETS-Trenton Central High School (TCHS) Scholarship Program will award graduating seniors who can demonstrate high levels of academic achievement, strong community engagement, and leadership in high school. Those seniors from TCHS will receive financial aid for a two- or four-year accredited, not-for-profit postsecondary institution – $5,000 in two payments for those attending a two-year community college and $10,000 in two payments for those attending a four-year school.

The ETS Cares Scholarships will be awarded to public high school seniors graduating in May or June 2023 facing great challenges and still intending to enroll full-time in a postsecondary educational institution this fall or pursuing a degree. Scholarships will be rewarded up to $10,000 each.

The $20,000 Lenora M. Green Scholarship – named after the late Lenora M. Green, former executive director of CAAP – is for a four-year U.S. college student during the 2022–2023 academic school year with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who demonstrates leadership and commitment to community service and civic engagement.

The $15,000 Dr. Lillian M. Lowery Scholarship – in honor of the late Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, former vice president of student and teacher assessments at ETS – will go to a master’s student enrolled in a U.S. graduate program in education during the next academic school year.

The $15,000 Robert (Bob) Moses Scholarship – named after the late Bob Moses, civil rights leader and founder of national mathematics literacy program The Algebra Project – is meant for a master’s or doctoral student at a U.S. university during the next academic school year. It is intended to go to a student from an underrepresented group pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in mathematics education or STEM.

Financial Aid

Graduate and non-degree students are charged tuition on a per credit basis. For 2022-23 academic year, tuition is $1,866 per credit (a two-year master's program ranges from 30-36 credits). Tuition is subject to increase on an annual basis.

The Master of Arts in Teaching program tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $1,273.08 per credit (the MAT degree ranges from 30- 33 credits). Tuition is subject to increase on an annual basis. 

Tuition and Fees Details

The American University Financial Aid Office is prepared to answer any questions you might have regarding financial aid, and to share information on external scholarship and funding sources.

The staff will work with you to create the best possible financial aid package and payment plan. Your aid may include an AU scholarship or grant, federally funded grants, and/or low-interest federally funded loans. The process of applying for financial aid requires time and attention to detail.

Please review all of the information posted on the AU Financial Aid website to ensure that you thoroughly understand the various aid options and application process. Early filing of a complete and accurate financial aid application will help ensure that you receive the best possible combination of university and non-university financial aid available.

American University offers the American Payment Plan (APP) to students as an alternative to paying your bill in full at the start of each term.

The plan splits your fall or spring semester balance into convenient monthly payments, with no interest charged. By budgeting ahead for the upcoming term's charges, you may be able to reduce the amount of loans needed for the school year.

International students do not need to submit additional materials in order to be considered for merit-based aid. Students are required to demonstrate the ability to cover the cost of attendance prior to enrollment.

View Detailed Cost Guide

To discuss eligibility and opportunities to finance your AU education, please contact:

  • Phone: 202-885-6500
  • Fax: 202-885-1025
  • Email: financialaid@american.edu