AUC Scholarships for Egyptian Students: How to Apply and Qualify

The American University in Cairo (AUC) offers a variety of scholarships for Egyptian students to help them achieve their academic goals. These scholarships financially support students who cannot pay for their education. 

AUC firmly believes in providing equal educational opportunities to all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

AUC’s Egyptian Public Schools Scholarship is a highly sought-after program tailored for graduates of Egyptian public schools facing financial constraints. It covers tuition fees and essential expenses like housing, textbooks, and transportation.

Another scholarship AUC offers is the Orascom Construction Scholarship, which provides full-tuition annual scholarships to public or private high school graduates from eight governorates in Upper Egypt. 

These students can pursue an undergraduate degree in economics at AUC. The scholarship aims to support students from underprivileged areas in Upper Egypt and help them achieve their academic goals.

AUC not only provides scholarships but also extends financial assistance to students facing tuition fee challenges. This support enables students to concentrate on their studies and reach their academic aspirations without financial concerns. AUC’s dedication to equal opportunities ensures that higher education is accessible to all.

Types of Scholarships

AUC offers various types of scholarships to Egyptian students to support their educational journey. The scholarships are designed to cater to the diverse needs of the students and provide them with the necessary financial support to pursue their academic goals. Here are the different types of scholarships available:

Merit-Based Scholarships

AUC grants merit-based scholarships to students who have showcased exceptional academic performance, leadership qualities, and engagement in extracurricular activities. One notable scholarship within this program is the Excellence Scholarship, which acknowledges high-achieving students with a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Need-Based Scholarships

AUC provides need-based scholarships to students requiring financial support for their education, considering their financial circumstances and academic achievements. 

An illustration of such a scholarship is the Public School Scholarship Fund, which assists Egyptian public school students by covering their tuition and fees.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

AUC offers scholarships to assist students with disabilities in their academic pursuits, taking into account both their academic achievements and financial circumstances. One such scholarship, the Moataz Al-Alfi Scholarship, specifically aids undergraduate marketing students.

USAID Scholars Activity

The USAID Scholars Activity program provides scholarships to Egyptian students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential. 

The program is designed to support students pursuing degrees in fields critical to Egypt’s development. The program covers tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses.

USAID Egyptian Pioneers Program

The USAID Egyptian Pioneers Program is another initiative that provides scholarships to Egyptian students. The program is designed to support students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential in fields critical to Egypt’s development. The program covers tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses.

Eligibility and Selection Process

To be eligible for scholarships offered by the American University in Cairo (AUC), students must be Egyptian nationals and meet the university’s admission requirements.

Scholarships are granted based on various criteria, encompassing academic performance, leadership potential, financial circumstances, and dedication to their chosen field. To illustrate, the AUC Excellence Scholarship Program primarily assesses candidates based on their academic achievements, using specific certificates as initial screening criteria.

In addition to academic achievement, leadership potential is also a critical factor in the selection process. The USAID Scholars Activity offers scholarships for four or five years of university study, with selection being based on the potential for leadership and impact in the community.

Financial need is another criterion for selection, with some scholarships explicitly targeting students with financial needs. For example, the USAID-AUC Merit Award is available to Egyptian students who demonstrate financial need and have an outstanding academic record from public, experimental, STEM, and Nile schools.

It is important to note that scholarships are not limited by gender, and females and males are encouraged to apply. Additionally, scholarships are available for public and non-public universities in Egypt, with approximately 250 scholarships being offered in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Overall, the selection process for AUC scholarships is rigorous and competitive, with scholarships awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, financial need, and passion for their chosen field of study.

Application and Admission Process

The American University in Cairo (AUC) offers scholarships to Egyptian students who demonstrate financial need and have an outstanding secondary school academic record. 

To qualify for these scholarships, students need to achieve a minimum band score of 6.5 in the IELTS or a minimum score of 79 in the TOEFL.

Students must submit an admission application and all required documents to apply for AUC scholarships. The scholarship program accepts applications from qualified students from all 27 governorates in Egypt. 

The selection process considers the equal representation of genders, geographic distribution, and diversity of disciplines in compliance with admission criteria in partner universities.

Once the admission application is submitted, students will receive an email with instructions to resume their scholarship application process. Students must fill out a scholarship application form and provide additional documents to demonstrate financial need.

After submitting the scholarship application, students may be invited for an interview during the selection process. The interview may be conducted in person or via video conference. International students may also be required to submit additional documentation, such as a student visa application.

Academic Programs and Fields of Study

AUC’s academic programs cover various disciplines such as arts, sciences, water, energy, agriculture, computer, entrepreneurship, business, artificial intelligence, data sciences, nursing, liberal arts, journalism, Middle East studies, Egyptology, English and comparative literature, humanities, social sciences, management, and economics.

Undergraduate students can choose from over 35 majors and 50 minors in different fields of study. The Association accredits AUC’s School of Business to AACSB, the highest standard of achievement in business education. The School of Sciences and Engineering offers majors in computer science, construction engineering, electronics and communications engineering, and more.

AUC’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers majors in anthropology, Arabic studies, economics, English and comparative literature, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. The School of Global Affairs and Public Policy offers majors in international relations, law and society, public policy and administration, and sustainable development.

AUC’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) offers career certificate programs in various fields of study, including human resources management, accounting, finance, sales management, marketing, digital marketing, legal, and UN translation diplomas.

Support Services and Opportunities

The American University in Cairo (AUC) is dedicated to supporting Egyptian students in their academic and professional journeys. AUC provides a range of resources to help students excel.

AUC offers English language training through the English Language Institute (ELI). These courses, including academic, business, and conversation skills, enhance students’ English proficiency, a critical factor for academic and professional success. These offerings are accessible to all AUC students, including scholarship recipients.

Moreover, AUC’s School of Business Administration equips students with entrepreneurship skills through marketing, finance, and management courses, complemented by hands-on experiences like internships and mentorship programs.

AUC provides counseling services through the Office of Career Services for career guidance. These services help students explore career paths, develop job search strategies, and prepare for interviews. Career fairs and employer sessions facilitate connections between students and potential employers.

AUC also encourages international exposure with semester and summer abroad programs available to all students, including scholarship recipients. These programs allow students to study in various countries and disciplines, gaining valuable international experience.

To aid post-graduation employment, the Office of Alumni and Career Services offers job placement services, including job search assistance, resume and cover letter reviews, and networking opportunities.

Beyond academics and careers, AUC focuses on character and leadership development through the C.A.T.A.L.Y.S.T. program, which encourages community service, leadership growth, and social entrepreneurship. This program aims to nurture active, engaged citizens who can positively impact their communities and the world.

Lastly, AUC scholarships cover tuition and fees for undergraduate, graduate, and School of Continuing Education students. This affordability ensures that even students with limited financial resources can access a high-quality education at AUC.

Impact and Importance of AUC Scholarships

AUC Scholarships have a significant impact on Egyptian society by providing higher education opportunities to underprivileged students. 

These scholarships alleviate the financial strain of tuition fees for students, enabling them to pursue their academic ambitions. Furthermore, they foster social inclusivity and diversity by extending opportunities to individuals from varied backgrounds.

The Chief of Party at AUC, Dr. Noha El-Mikawy, emphasizes the importance of scholarships in creating a diverse and inclusive student body. 

She believes that scholarships help AUC to create a cross-disciplinary network of students who can work together to solve global problems. This network promotes innovation and experimental education, which prepares students for the job market and the global workforce.

AUC Scholarships also contribute to the economic growth of Egypt by creating a pool of highly qualified graduates ready to contribute to the job market. 

These scholarships ensure that students from all regions of Egypt have access to higher education opportunities, which promotes geographic representation and climate resilience.

Scholarships are awarded based on merit, ensuring the most talented students can access higher education opportunities. AUC Scholarships also support students with disabilities, providing equal access to education.

Role of Partners and Stakeholders

The scholarships offered by the American University in Cairo (AUC) to Egyptian students are made possible through the collaborative efforts of various partners and stakeholders. These include:

USAID: The USAID plays a pivotal role in collaborating with AUC to grant scholarships to Egyptian students. AUC extends these scholarships to exceptional public school students, recognizing their academic prowess and potential for well-rounded personal growth through programs like the USAID Scholars Activity and the USAID Egyptian Pioneers program.

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research: The AUC scholarship program benefits significantly from the involvement of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which collaborates closely with the AUC to identify qualified students and ensure that scholarships are granted to deserving individuals.

Governorates of Egypt: AUC also collaborates with various governorates of Egypt to identify and select qualified candidates for the scholarship program. This helps to ensure that students from all regions of Egypt have an equal opportunity to benefit from the program.

Partner Universities: Besides AUC, several public and private universities in Egypt collaborate with the scholarship program, expanding the study choices available to students. This partnership ensures that students can effectively align their academic pursuits with their interests and career ambitions.

Conclusion

The American University in Cairo (AUC) offers various scholarships to Egyptian students, based on merit and financial need, for undergraduate and graduate programs. 

AUC is dedicated to supporting students in their academic pursuits and societal contributions. Notably, the Excellence Scholarship Program provides full-tuition scholarships, housing, and living expenses stipends to academically excellent and financially needy students. 

Additionally, AUC extends support to Egyptian public school students through USAID programs.