More than 1900
donors have contributed to the Elevate Scholarship InitiativeAs of 3/31/24
Contact Us
Fax: 202-885-1334
Office of Development
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8023
United States
Each student comes to AU with a dream, a goal, maybe even a plan—to seek new experiences, reach graduation, and go on to live a life of purpose. An important premise of their dream is the ability to fund their education. But unexpected financial stressors such as parental job loss, illness, or death, or other financial developments can disrupt even the most carefully laid plans. Each year, as many as 500 undergraduate students seek additional financial resources from the university after experiencing a change in their financial circumstances.Â
Elevate Scholarship Initiative
AU’s Elevate Scholarship Initiative is a philanthropic effort to raise $25 million to support undergraduate students enrolled at AU. The university is matching this investment, doubling donors’ impact. The initiative will ensure more students can continue their AU experience, reach their full potential, and share their contributions as changemakers with the world. Â
Join us. Because we know—Change Can’t Wait.Â
An anonymous alum gave $2M
in unrestricted scholarship support to launch the initiativeWe’ve raised almost $15M
towards this initiative so farAs of 3/31/24
Our Community’s Commitment to AU ChangemakersÂ
AU students are bold learners who transform ideas into meaningful actions—changemakers who will make a difference in the world. The AU community knows that an Eagle’s path may change for many reasons—but unexpected financial changes shouldn’t block someone from a full AU experience.Â
Ways You Can Join Us
Support the Elevate Scholarship Endowed Fund
An anonymous donor’s endowed gift of $2 million in unrestricted scholarship support kickstarted this initiative. Additional gifts may be contributed to this fund to grow this important endowment.
Endow Named Elevate Scholarships
Unrestricted endowed scholarship funds that provide the university with the flexibility to accommodate any undergrad demonstrating financial need.Â
Give to the AU Fund for Student Support
Gifts of any size can help augment financial aid resources with flexible funds that are available immediately—when and where they are needed most.
Pursuing Pathways to Purpose
The Elevate Scholarship Initiative—a vital component of the Change Can’t Wait Campaign—helps students remain at AU, alleviates financial stress, and supports their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. As a result, students can thrive on campus and beyond. They can pursue research and career development activities, study abroad, and sought-after internships that are frequently unpaid.Â
Read stories of scholarship impact at AU.Â
A Return to AU Marks New Beginning
Change Can’t Wait is not just a slogan—it’s a format that is being followed.
A lot can change over nine years. But for Terwase Tor-Agbidye, SIS/BA ’23, the desire to complete her degree from Â鶹´«Ă˝ remained constant. Energized by a scholarship and a vision for a more equitable world, she is back on campus to fulfill her dream.
SOC is Exactly Where I Need to Be
I can't imagine going to college anywhere else...the scholarship let me stay.
When the time came to think about his college major, Lucas Torregrossa, SOC/BA ’25, took stock. Led to study public relations, he wanted a place where learning was channeled through real-world experiences. AU’s School of Communication (SOC) was that place.
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A changemaker since childhood, Lily Larsen, SPA/BA ’23, embraces the power of conversation to bring people together.
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Jadyn Newman, SOC-SPA/BA ’23, channels her passions for research and storytelling through filmmaking at AU and beyond.
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Francesca Gill, SIS/BA ’24, a junior at Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s School of International Service, finds value in each word of her school’s name. She views public service as uniquely vocational.
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“Opportunity” is a word Meaghan Reilly, SIS-SPA/BA ’21, SPA/MS ’24, often returns to when reflecting on the impact of scholarships. A graduate student in the School of Public Affairs’ (SPA) Justice, Law, and Criminology program, Reilly is a recipient of the Daniel Greeley Memorial Scholarship Fund, part of Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s new Elevate Scholarship Initiative.  Â
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The Stewart/Sawyer Family Endowed Scholarship Fund is part of AU’s Elevate Scholarship Initiative.
Hearts, roses, and . . . the circular economy? At first, food sustainability might not seem to have a natural connection to Valentine’s Day. But for Hannah VanWagner, CAS ’23, the February holiday offered a creative chance to promote waste awareness.
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Ishita Jamar is advancing her studies and laying the groundwork for her future through experiences beyond the classroom. She led a commission on sexual assault prevention culminating in a report with recommendations to improve campus culture and cofounded a grassroots organization that raises awareness around racial biases and privilege in her native New Jersey.   Â
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Kyli received the Gloria A. Likins Scholarship that supports her cancer research project in professor John Bracht’s laboratory.Â
While I was growing up, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. My parents were surprised by my unwavering love for the sciences, since no one in my family was strong in this area of study. Despite my lack of exposure, my passion continued to grow.
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Elevate the Student Experience
Every day, we prepare changemakers to shape our changing world. AU promotes student thriving in a diverse, inclusive environment that supports innovative minds and the purposes they courageously pursue.Â
Tell Us Your Story
How have scholarships impacted your pathway to purpose? Let us know so we can share your story of impact with the AU community.
Learn About Change Can’t Wait
With a $500 million goal, Change Can’t Wait will create transformative educational opportunities for students, advance research with impact, and build stronger communities locally, nationally, and globally.