Official Transcript Evaluation

The transcript evaluation is not required for international applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree in the United States.

All other international applicants are required to complete an official transcript evaluation. Transcript evaluations must be submitted to American University in lieu of the original international transcript.

In order to complete a transcript evaluation, candidates must submit their official transcript(s) to a transcript evaluation agency approved by NACES. The following transcript evaluators are recommended:

• World Education Services
• Educational Credit Evaluators

All transcript evaluations must indicate the following:

• Course-by-course analysis: List of all classes and credits earned
• Grade point average (4.0 scale)
• Degree earned: Determine if the degree earned is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree

Transcript evaluations must be sent directly by the transcript evaluation agency to American University by the application deadline using one of the following addresses:

• Postal mail address
  CAS Graduate Admissions
  Office of Enrollment
  4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC 20016-8081

• Express, Courier, Overnight (Express Mail, Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, etc.)
  CAS Graduate Admissions
  Office of Enrollment, Suite B1
  3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC 20016-8081
  USA

Financial Requirements

All students must be able to demonstrate financial ability to pay for their academic and living expenses before being issued an immigration document. Visit International Student and Scholar Services for program costs.

Financial Aid

Financial assistance for international students is available at American University in the form of merit-based financial awards only. International students seeking merit awards are encouraged to submit a complete application for admission by the appropriate deadline in order to receive consideration for a merit award.

Because the competition for merit awards is very rigorous, an award cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, most of these merit awards do not cover the full cost of attendance at American University. The College of Arts and Sciences encourages all of its prospective students to seek out other sources of financial assistance from organizations or sponsors. Some organizations are listed below.

• NAFSA/Financial Aid for Foreign Nationals
• Institute of International Education

Essential Documentation

Please submit the following documentation to the CAS office of Graduate Admissions to casgrad@american.edu:

1. A completed Certification of Finances for International Students (CFIS) form. Clearly indicate on the form which type of visa you plan to obtain for your studies with American University (F-1 or J-1) and your current visa type, if applicable. If you are pending US permanent resident or asylum status, please indicate on the form accordingly.
2. Supporting financial documents demonstrating financial ability to pay for at least one year of tuition, fees, and living expenses according to the current International Student Cost Guide. These financial documents will also be required at the US Embassy or Consulate when you apply for your visa. All financial documents must show available funds and must be dated within the past three months in order to be considered valid. Appropriate documents reflecting financial ability are listed here.
3. Scanned passport copy (biographic page only).
4. A completed F-1 Immigration Transfer In Form to release your immigration record to American University (only required of international students who currently hold an I-20 from a different U.S. institution). This form must be completed by both the student and the student's current international student advisor.