Scholarship Awarding University:
Type of degree:
Bachelor’s
Scholarship Deadline:
Applications for this scholarship will end on the
Scholarship Summary:
The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) promotes educational access and opportunity while enhancing international diversity. The AU EGLs are dedicated to positive civic and social change to help address issues faced by under-resourced, underserved communities in their home country.
Scholarship Applicant Criteria:
Preference will be given to:
i. International students who have overcome various obstacles and challenges as well as those from diverse and underrepresented global and socioeconomic backgrounds.
ii. A minimum 3.8 GPA equivalent out of 4.0 GPA (or in the top 10% of graduating class) for 9th-12th grades.
iii. A demonstrated commitment to leadership, volunteerism, community service, and to advancing the needs of people in their home country.
iv. Students with one of the following:
- 95+ TOEFL iBT (all subscores must be 20 or above)
- Sub-scores of 24+ on the paper-based TOEFL
- 7.0+ IELTS (all subscores must be 6.0 or above)
- 33 minimum SAT Reading subscore
- Score of 630 or higher on the SAT Digital version section entitled "Evidence-Based Reading and Writing" (EBRW)
- 29 minimum ACT English
- 65 minimum PTE
- 125+ Duolingo (all subscores must be 115 or above)
- Cambridge Assessment English score of 185 or higher. Each sub-score must be 169 or higher.
v. Students who are still enrolled in secondary/high school and graduating by June 2026.
Value of Scholarship:
The 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.
For 2026, AU will also offer up to eight additional generous AU EGL partial scholarships valued at up to US$40,000/per year.
Please note: The AU EGL scholarship is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study, based on continued satisfactory academic performance.
Scholarship Application Guide:
1. Apply to AU – Complete and submit the Common Application or Coalition Application with all required documents per the before the designated deadline.
2. Create your applicant portal when invited to do so.
- Submit the AU EGL Scholarship application and essays via your applicant portal by the required special program deadline. You must complete Step 1 before submitting the AU EGLS application.
3. Submit a bank letter and the completed and signed AU Declaration of Finances Form (AU DFF), each confirming a minimum of US$4,000. These can be uploaded via your applicant portal.
4. Submit your official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English, PTE, or Cambridge Assessment English Test score results before the above deadline. Please have official English proficiency score reports sent directly by the testing agency to American University, Undergraduate Admissions, Washington, District of Columbia.
5. If you are not selected as one of the finalists, you may still be considered for admission to American University, Washington, DC and eligible for partial merit scholarships.
- No additional application process is needed to be eligible for AU EGL partial scholarships
- However, to continue the application process, you will need to submit proof of funds totaling up to US$83,680 (estimated costs for first year of study).
6. Zoom interviews and/or additional essay submissions will be required for AU EGL semi-finalists and finalists.
7. Emerging Leader Scholarship applicants should apply Regular Decision for fall 2026 (not Early Decision ED or Early Action EA) and will be notified by April 1st, 2026.
Scholarship Website:
Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the AU University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship Page.