American University scholarships for international students information?

I'm planning to apply to American University in the USA as an international student. Can anyone share insights on the scholarships they offer for international students? How can one improve their chances of receiving these scholarships?

American University does offer financial aid for international students in the form of scholarships. The AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) is one of the prominent ones. The AU EGLS is dedicated to high-achieving international students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree at the university and who are committed to positive civic and social change.

To improve your chances of receiving scholarships, you can first ensure that your application is strong. This generally means excellent academic performance. If you have stellar grades or rank at the top of your class, that's a good start.

Highly competitive standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) are often part of this equation, but American University has a test-optional policy. This means you can choose whether to submit test scores with your application and won't be penalized if you don't. However, if your test scores are strong, they can only bolster your application.

Another crucial component is your extracurricular engagement. Quality over quantity is important here. Either having deep involvement or leadership positions in a few activities often stands out more than shallow participation in a wide variety. Remember, they're looking for students who're committed to civic and social change, so that should ideally reflect in your activities.

Further, specifics matter in your essays. Instead of writing broadly about wanting to make a change, go in-depth into one or two issues that you're passionate about, why they matter to you, and what concrete steps you've taken or plan to take toward addressing these issues. This would presumably align well with the mission of the EGLS.

Remember that financial aid for international students is often limited and highly competitive. Hence, a solid plan B for financing your education will be important in case you do not get the aid you hope for.

Note: Deadlines and requirements tend to change from one year to another. Therefore, make sure to check the school's official website for the most current information.