American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship 2027 in USA (Fully Funded)

About the scholarship

American University, in Washington, D.C., awards the Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (AU EGLS) to international students who show leadership, academic strength and a commitment to positive civic and social change. Each year it gives two full scholarships covering all billable expenses — full tuition, room and board — for up to four years, and additional partial scholarships of up to $40,000 a year. It is one of the most competitive undergraduate awards in the United States, and it is aimed at students who intend to return home and lead change there.

The numbers need care. Only two students a year receive the full award, and even that award leaves about $4,000 a year of non-billable costs — mandatory health insurance, books, airfare and personal expenses — for the student to cover. The partial awards, up to $40,000 a year, are generous but are not full funding. Apply if you are a strong, internationally minded school student with a record of leadership and service — and apply by 15 January 2027, the date both the Common Application and the AU EGLS application are due.

Eligibility

• Be an international student — US citizens, US permanent residents and US dual citizens are not eligible.
• Still be in secondary or high school and graduating by June 2027.
• Have no prior university enrolment.
• Hold a minimum GPA of 3.8 out of 4.0 or be in the top 10% of your class (aggregator-reported; not confirmed from the official source).
• Meet the English proficiency requirement, reported as TOEFL iBT 95, IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 125, PTE 65 or Cambridge 185 (aggregator-reported; not confirmed from the official source).
• Show leadership, volunteerism and community service; preference is given to applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and students who have overcome obstacles.

Benefits

• Two full scholarships covering all billable expenses — full tuition, room and board — for up to four years.
• Additional partial scholarships of up to $40,000 a year.
• Study at American University in Washington, D.C., with a community of global leaders.
• Note that around $4,000 a year of non-billable costs — health insurance, books, airfare and personal expenses — is not covered, even by the full awards.

Documents to prepare

• The Common Application and its supporting documents.
• The AU EGLS application and essays through the applicant portal.
• A bank letter and the AU Declaration of Finances form, each showing a minimum of US $4,000.
• Official English test scores, sent directly by the testing agency.

How to apply

1. Open the official AU EGLS apply page at american.edu/admissions/international/au-egls-apply.cfm and read the instructions.
2. Submit the Common Application and its supporting documents.
3. Complete the AU EGLS application and essays through the applicant portal.
4. Arrange for your bank letter and AU Declaration of Finances form (each showing at least US $4,000) and your official English test scores to be sent.
5. Complete both steps by 15 January 2027.

FAQs

Verified 25 Oct 2026: american.edu/admissions/international/au-egls-apply.cfm (official American University AU EGLS apply page) — deadline 15 January 2027, Common Application then AU EGLS application and essays, two full scholarships covering all billable expenses; sofamedia.ng, opportunities247.org, globalscholarshipshub.com — partial scholarships up to $40,000 a year, about $4,000 a year non-billable costs not covered, international students only (US citizens, permanent residents and dual citizens ineligible), graduating by June 2027, no prior university enrolment, bank letter and Declaration of Finances each showing minimum US $4,000. GPA 3.8/4.0 or top 10%, English scores (TOEFL iBT 95, IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 125, PTE 65, Cambridge 185) and the 15 December 2026 priority deadline are aggregator-reported and were not confirmed from the official source.