District of Columbia · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer
The starting point
Washington D.C. private with one of the most explicitly documented multi-cap displacement policies in higher ed: a tuition cap on tuition-restricted aid, a need cap with loan-first reduction, and an overall cost-of-attendance ceiling. Merit ladder is automatic at $6,000–$20,000 per year.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
The 3 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Presidential & Dean's Scholarships (general merit award)
$6,000–$20,000 per year · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: All students who apply to AU are automatically considered. No separate application required. Awarded on the basis of the admission application — academic credentials, curriculum rigor, and standardized test scores (if submitted).
Renewal: Renewable contingent on satisfactory academic progress and full-time enrollment (12+ credit hours per semester). Can only be applied to tuition charges.
https://www.american.edu/financialaid/prospective-freshman.cfm
Frederick Douglass Scholarship
Partial merit-based scholarship (specific dollar amount not published; awarded by Admissions) · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Awarded by the Admissions Office. Distinct from the now-discontinued FDDS full-ride program.
Renewal: Recorded as renewable. Full renewal conditions are not recorded here; request them from the school.
Other terms: Easily confused with the discontinued FDDS program. The Frederick Douglass Scholarship is a partial merit award — the FDDS full-ride program admitted its final cohort in 2022.
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/douglassscholars/faq.cfm
AU Honors Program Scholarship
Additional scholarship funds beyond the standard merit award · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Requires a separate application to the AU Honors Program. Offered to students admitted to Honors.
Renewal: Recorded as renewable. Full renewal conditions are not recorded here; request them from the school.
https://www.american.edu/financialaid/prospective-freshman.cfm
