The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship supports international first-year undergraduate applicants who combine academic promise with leadership and community service.
Applying involves university admission first, followed by the separate scholarship materials in AU’s applicant portal.
A good application connects your education, service record and future plans.
Before writing essays, establish your eligibility, organise school-submitted documents and build a realistic budget for expenses outside the award.
Key Facts
- Provider: American University.
- Location: Washington, DC, United States.
- Study level: first undergraduate degree.
- Applicant route: international first-year admission.
- Purpose: educational access, leadership and civic contribution.
- Subject scope: all AU undergraduate majors.
- Funding options: full and partial awards.
- Selection: competitive, not automatic with admission.
- Application channels: Common Application and AU applicant portal.
- Planning priority: check both academic eligibility and uncovered costs.
University Overview
American University is based in Washington, DC.
Its schools cover areas including arts and sciences, business, communication, education, international service and public affairs.
Its undergraduate programme finder includes subjects such as international studies, economics and data-related degrees.
Use the degree description rather than a scholarship summary to understand the curriculum and academic requirements.
For an applicant, choosing AU should involve more than finding funding.
Compare your intended major, the learning environment and the work you hope to do after graduation; that comparison also makes your motivation more specific.
Scholarship Overview
- Official name: AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, abbreviated AU EGLS.
- It is an undergraduate funding route, not a master’s award.
- It is designed for international applicants requiring a non-immigrant student visa.
- Selection values academic preparation and service-oriented leadership.
- The full award and partial awards have different financial implications.
- A separate scholarship submission follows the admissions application.
- The scholarship process may involve further essays or interviews.
- Admission can remain possible even if the full scholarship is not awarded.
Eligible Majors
AU states that applicants interested in any of its majors may apply.
That does not mean every programme suits every student; choose a field that connects your academic strengths to a clear purpose.
- International studies
- Economics
- Data-related undergraduate study
- Science and mathematics fields
- Communication and media fields
- Business and public-affairs fields
Use American University’s academic programme search to confirm exact degree names.
Avoid selecting a subject simply because it sounds impressive in a scholarship essay.
Target Groups
The full award is for international students, not U.S.
citizens, permanent residents, pending permanent residents or U.S.
dual citizens.
Students who have started post-secondary study at another university are excluded.
The published entry-cycle rules also restrict secondary-school graduation timing.
AU gives preference to applicants who have overcome obstacles, have underrepresented backgrounds and demonstrate meaningful service; check the current cycle’s eligibility details on the official application page.
Benefits
- Full tuition coverage under the full award.
- Room coverage under the full award.
- Board coverage under the full award.
- Renewable undergraduate support, subject to the award conditions.
Health insurance, books, flights, taxes and miscellaneous personal expenses are outside the full award.
Partial EGL awards cover less and require an additional funding plan; read the written offer before committing to costs.
Duration and Renewal by Degree
AU describes the EGLS as renewable for a total of four undergraduate years, conditional on satisfactory academic performance.
It does not fund graduate study under this undergraduate scheme.
As a planning recommendation, review your award letter when building each year’s budget.
Ask the university how academic progress, a change of study plan or an interruption would affect your individual award instead of assuming every situation has the same answer.
Scholarship Requirements
Use the official AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship application instructions for the controlling eligibility and funding rules.
AU currently requires scholarship applicants to demonstrate at least US$4,000 through a bank letter and its signed Declaration of Finances form.
Leadership evidence should explain what you did, whom it helped and what you learned.
A modest sustained project can be more persuasive than a long list of roles without clear responsibilities; this is writing advice, not an additional AU rule.
Admission Requirements by Degree
First-Year Undergraduate Admission
AU’s international checklist requests the Common Application, essay and CV, school records, an academic teacher recommendation and English proficiency.
Certified English translations may be necessary; an interruption-of-studies statement applies to applicants who have already finished school.
The admissions fee is US$75, with certain EGLS applicants potentially eligible for a case-by-case waiver.
A waiver is not automatic.
School transcripts and recommendations must come from the school or recommender through the approved submission channel.
English Proficiency
AU accepts specified curriculum evidence or approved tests under its admissions policy, but EGLS applicants should follow the scholarship page’s instructions on official score reporting.
Use the international first-year admission and English requirements for accepted tests, scores and reporting rules.
Do not replace official score delivery with a screenshot unless admissions explicitly permits it.
Check the applicant portal for missing items and resolve discrepancies with AU.
Master’s and Doctoral Applicants
This scholarship is not their funding route.
AU’s graduate funding is handled through separate programmes and departments.
Application Steps
1. Confirm your applicant category
Check citizenship or residency status, prior university study and the current secondary-school graduation rule.
Do this before investing time in the scholarship essays.
2. Prepare school and language records
Arrange transcript and reference submission with your school.
Identify any translation or official score-reporting tasks that cannot be completed by uploading your own files.
3. Submit the admissions application
Complete the Common Application with the required supporting materials.
AU recommends Regular Decision for applicants seeking EGLS funding.
4. Activate the applicant portal
Follow AU’s invitation, then submit the EGLS application and essays.
The admissions submission must come first.
5. Provide financial and supporting evidence
Upload the required finance form and bank letter.
Keep your declared funding plan consistent with the award type you are seeking.
6. Complete any further assessment
Semi-finalists and finalists may need additional essays and Zoom interviews.
Prepare to discuss your service, academic interests and plans in your own words.
7. Review the decision and funding terms
Distinguish admission from scholarship selection.
If offered partial funding, calculate the remaining costs before accepting.
Required Documents
- Common Application
- Application essay
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Secondary-school transcripts
- Certified English translations, where applicable
- Academic teacher recommendation
- Additional school recommendation, if supplied
- Official English-proficiency evidence
- Interruption-of-studies statement, where applicable
- AU EGLS application and essays
- Signed AU Declaration of Finances form
- Bank letter
- Passport or identity documentation when requested
- Additional finalist essays when requested
10 Practical Tips
These recommendations help organise an application; they do not add official eligibility conditions.
- Create separate checklists for admission, scholarship and finances.
- Ask your school who will submit each official document.
- Use your name consistently across all forms and records.
- Describe leadership through actions and results, not titles alone.
- Connect your intended major to a realistic community goal.
- Write about challenges honestly without exaggerating hardship.
- Keep a clear record of volunteering and responsibilities.
- Practise explaining your essays aloud before an interview.
- Budget for the excluded expenses rather than treating room and board as an unlimited allowance.
- Save submission confirmations and monitor your portal regularly.
Conclusion
A strong American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship application combines a complete admissions file with a credible account of leadership and service.
Start with eligibility and documentation, then write a focused explanation of how your education can benefit others.
FAQ
Is this an undergraduate scholarship?
Yes.
Applicants seeking graduate study need a different funding route.
Can transfer students apply?
Students who have begun post-secondary study at another university are excluded under the current EGLS rules.
Can I choose any major?
AU permits applicants interested in all its majors to seek EGLS consideration.
Is the admission application enough?
No.
Complete the separate EGLS materials through the applicant portal after the admissions application.
Are all expenses covered?
No.
The full award’s exclusions include personal and non-billable expenses.
Does AU offer partial awards too?
Yes.
Their coverage differs from the full EGL award.
Can I send my own school recommendation?
Follow AU’s school and recommender submission rules rather than uploading it yourself.
Is an application-fee waiver guaranteed?
No.
AU considers eligible waiver requests case by case.
How should I prepare for an interview?
Practise discussing your own academic interests, service and future plans with specific examples.
Does not winning EGLS automatically mean admission is refused?
No.
AU states that applicants not chosen as finalists may still be considered for admission and partial merit support.