Here at American University’s College of Arts and Sciences, we understand that the prospect of financing a graduate education can be daunting. But with some early planning and careful attention to detail, you can manage the cost of a graduate education.
Current cost of tuition is as follows:
Tuition: $1178 per credit hour
Fees: $380 (total fees for 2 semesters)
Room*: $10,210
Board*: $4,050
Books*: $950
Transportation*: $1,400
Personal*: $1,650
* Figures based on average expenditures reported by university students
American University offers two types of financial awards to help you meet the cost of study, listed below. We also suggest that students seek out additional, independent sources of financing to help cover the cost of study.
Merit-Based Graduate Awards
Merit awards, which include fellowships, assistantships, and study
grants are administered by the College of Arts and Sciences academic
departments. These awards are granted only to full-time students
who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and are awarded through
the academic department through recommendation by the faculty to
a selection committee.
To be considered for merit awards, please check "Yes" next to the appropriate question on the CAS Application for Graduate Admission. Since funding for these awards is extremely competitive, very few students receive a merit-based award.
The College of Arts and Sciences administers the selection process for awarding graduate fellowships, assistantships, and study grants in accordance with university regulations. The priority deadline for merit awards is February 1 unless otherwise specified. Please refer to the requirements chart for other deadlines.
All merit awards fall into one of the following categories:
Fellowships
Graduate fellowships are merit-based awards that are given to new
graduate degree students and normally provide the recipient with
a stipend and 18 hours of tuition remission in degree-related courses
in a given academic year. Fellowships are given to full-time graduate
students to assist them in completion of their programs of study
and, therefore, carry no expectation that students will perform
duties in the teaching unit. Priority for these awards is ordinarily
given to full-time students enrolled in the highest degree programs
offered in that discipline at American University.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are merit-based awards that provide the
recipient with a stipend and tuition remission for 6 to 18 hours
of degree-related courses in a given academic year. Graduate assistantships
carry with them a learning component in the form of an assignment
that enhances and complements a student's academic program, such
as a teaching assistantship, a research assistantship, or a technical
assistantship, which requires no more than 20 hours per week of
supervised learning. The specific description of this learning component
is determined by the teaching unit and should be clearly related
and contributory toward the academic objectives of the student's
degree program. Priority for these awards is ordinarily given to
full-time students enrolled in the highest degree programs offered
in that discipline at American University.
Study grants
Graduate study grants are merit-based awards that provide the recipient
with tuition remission for 6 to 18 hours of degree-related courses
in a given academic year. Graduate study grants carry with them
a learning component in the form of an assignment that enhances
and complements a student's academic program, such as a teaching
traineeship, a research traineeship, or a technical traineeship,
which requires no more than 10 hours per week of supervised learning.
The specific description of this learning component is determined
by the teaching unit and should be clearly related and contributory
toward the academic objectives of the student's degree program.
Merit awards do not cover the full cost of attending AU. Even if you anticipate receiving a merit award from AU, you should begin early to seek additional funding to cover the remainder of your expenses.
Need-based aid (U.S. Federal grants and loans)
Need-based awards including grants and loans are U.S. federal resources
which are awarded by the American University Financial Aid Office
to U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident students. Both part-time and
full-time students are eligible for need-based assistance.
Students who wish to apply for need-based assistance must submit the FAFSA (Financial Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 1. For information regarding need-based financial aid and application procedures, visit the Financial Aid office web site or call 202-885-6100.
University awards for enrolled graduate students
Note: these awards are for currently enrolled CAS degree program
students
Listed below is just a sample of some of the prestigious awards
for which CAS graduate students may be eligible and for which they
may apply through the Office of Merit Awards in the AU Career Center.
For a complete listing, see http://www.american.edu/careercenter/oma/awardlisting.html.
Note that awards requiring university nomination may have an earlier
deadline than is listed. In addition, some awards are open to application
by graduating seniors who will be entering graduate programs in
the Fall. For further information, send a message to meritawards@american.edu.
Designated Awards
A number of privately funded designated awards are available. These
merit awards are granted to students who meet specific criteria.
To be considered for a designated award, please state the name of
the award in the space provided on the CAS Application for Graduate
Admission. The designated awards are:
Massey Foundation Awards
The Hart A. Massey Fellowship is awarded each academic year to
one or more incoming Canadian students studying full-time at
American University. It is renewable for one year with
satisfactory academic progress. This is a competitive award,
and applicants must meet minimum University graduate admission
requirements to be considered. A separate application is required. You
may download and print the
application
form. Applications should be submitted to: Lauren Tabbara,
College of Arts & Sciences, Battelle-Tompkins, Room 266.
United Methodist
Graduate Scholarships
The United Methodist Graduate Scholarship is awarded each academic
year to new full-time graduate students who have held membership
in the United Methodist Church for at least two years, have strong
academic skills, and are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The
scholarship is applied to tuition charges. There is no stipend
or service requirement. It is renewable for one year with
satisfactory academic progress. This is a competitive award,
and applicants must meet minimum University graduate admission
requirements to be considered. A separate application is required. You
may download and print the application
form. Applications should be submitted to: Lauren Tabbara,
College of Arts & Sciences, Battelle-Tompkins, Room 266.
Graduate Fellowship in Information Technology
Graduate students are invited to apply for a fellowship in information
technology offered by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE).
The position provides for three courses worth of tuition remission
and a monthly stipend in exchange for 20 hours per week of work.
The applicant will provide assistance to faculty and students in
the use of Blackboard, or other web-based teaching software. Contact
James Lee in the CTE at jlee@american.edu
for more information.
Hall of Nations Awards
Hall of Nations Awards provide tuition remission only and are given
to international students who do not have permanent resident status
or U.S. citizenship.
Special Opportunity Awards
Special Opportunity Awards are assistantships and graduate study
awards as described above and granted under the same terms to minority
students.
Independent Sources
You may want to check the following web sites for information on
independent scholarship organizations
International students may also wish to visit the following web sites to locate additional sources of financial aid:
Employment
Graduate students are encouraged to contact the university's Human
Resources office about part-time or full-time employment. For off-campus
employment, graduate students should consult American University's
Career Center Job Listing Service at 202-885-1800.
Prospective students who are currently employed are reminded to contact their own Human Resources office to inquire about tuition and employer sponsorships.
Note: International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours a week on campus when classes are in session, with the permission of the international student advisor. Students on all other types of visas should check with the International Student Services Office. For more information on employment options, please contact the International Student Services Office as well.
Payment Plans
For the convenience of graduate students and their families, American
University has instituted the Semester Installment Plan.
The Semester Installment Plan allows you to pay your semester cost of attendance in three equal payments. Fall semester payments are due in September, October, and November. Spring semester payments are due between January and March. All part-time students are eligible to participate, and there is a $30 processing fee.
For additional information, please contact Student Accounts at 202-885-3541.
Downloadable Financial Aid brochure
Downloadable financial
aid brochure in PDF format.
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