Donor-Funded Scholarships
2023-2024 Academic Year
Over $780,000 awarded to Kogod students through donor-funded scholarships.
Have You Filled Out a FAFSA?
To qualify for need-based scholarships, fill out a FAFSA.
For questions, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Who is Eligible?
The eligibility criteria vary from scholarship to scholarship. Some common criteria include degree level, major or program, financial need, and special subgroups.
Awards Timeline
Donor-funded scholarships are generally awarded for an academic year (e.g. 2023-2024). The awards process begins in March or April and most scholarships are awarded by August for the subsequent academic year.
How to Apply
Many of the donor-funded scholarships do not require an application. If you meet the scholarship eligibility criteria, then you will automatically be considered for the scholarship. There are a few scholarships that do require an application, either because the eligibility criteria are not captured in university systems or the donor requires an essay, resume, faculty recommendation, or other materials as part of the selection process.
Kogod Donor-Funded Scholarships that require an application:
- Helen and David Glickberg Memorial Goldman Sachs Gives Scholarship Fund
- Erland P. Stevens and Ellen M. Stevens Endowed Fund
- George S. Willie Scholarship Fund
- Sue Marcum Scholarship
- William R. Adrain Scholarship Fund
- Robert P. Pincus and Roxanne E. Little Endowed Scholarship
- Accounting Eagles Scholarship Fund
- Masonic Foundation of the District of Columbia Stewart W. Miner Scholarship
- Margie and Don Myers Scholarship
- Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Scholarship
- Barbara and David Blumenthal Scholarship Fund
- Frank S. Taylor Entrepreneurship Scholarship
American University utilizes Blackbaud, an awards management system, to award and maintain donor-funded scholarships. To view and apply for donor-funded scholarships that require an application, please follow these steps:
- Log in to the Blackbaud site using your AU username and password. Secondary confirmation will be required.
- Complete and submit a General Application.
- Click on ‘Opportunities’ at the top of the screen and, if prompted, click ‘All.’
- You will see a list of all university scholarships that require an application. Scroll down to search for Kogod scholarships that you can apply for. You can view the scholarship criteria under the Description on the application site
- If you find a scholarship that you would like to apply for, click on ‘Apply’ and submit the required information.
For additional questions about Kogod Donor-Funded Scholarships, please contact Michelle Park.
We encourage students to apply for any scholarship that appears in your list of available scholarships. Some of the scholarships may have ‘preferred criteria’, which means that the donor would prefer that the scholarship be awarded to a student who meets that condition. However, if no eligible students meet the preferred criteria, then the university can award it to another student. Once we have received your application(s), our department will evaluate applicants’ qualifications and make awards based on eligibility and fund requirements.
To qualify for need-based scholarships, you need to file a FAFSA. American University uses the federal Student Aid Index, as determined by the US Department of Education, to assess student levels of need. The FAFSA can be completed at https://studentaid.gov. If you have any questions or concerns about filing the FAFSA, we encourage you to contact the Financial Aid Office. When you file the FAFSA, you may be offered federal financial aid. You are not required to accept your federal financial aid offer to be considered for need-based, donor-funded scholarships. If you are not able to file a FAFSA for any reason, we will not be able to consider you for this type of scholarship. International students cannot file a FAFSA.
International students are not eligible for need-based scholarships at American University. However, there are donor-funded scholarships that do not require financial need and are available for international students. Please visit the Blackbaud website to view the scholarship criteria.
Scholarships are generally awarded over the summer. If chosen, you will receive an email notification from Blackbaud and also an email from the Kogod scholarship coordinator that includes a scholarship award letter.
Scholarships are usually awarded for one academic year. Some scholarships are eligible for renewal in subsequent years if the scholarship criteria continue to be met. If the scholarship you receive is eligible for renewal, that information will be included in the scholarship award letter.