CAIRO: The American University in Cairo (AUC) announced today that it has allocated 16 percent of its tuition income, $18 million annually, to provide AUC students with a wide range of scholarships and financial aid to assist them in meeting the expenses of their education. The scholarships this year include the Leadership for Education and Development Program (LEAD); the Academic Achievement Scholarship; the Honors Scholarship; Innovation, Cultural and Leadership Scholarship; and Sports Achievement According to Ashraf El Fiqi, vice president for student affairs, nearly 70 percent of AUC students receive some form of financial assistance, either through scholarships or financial aid. El Fiqi went on to say that the university is committed to providing an AUC education to students with Supported by the Egyptian and U.S. governments, the Leadership for Education and Development Program (LEAD), provides scholarships to students from Egyptian public schools based on academic excellence. The program offers tuition-free scholarships and accommodations in university student housing to 58 students annually – one male and one female – from each of Egypt's governorates. LEAD students also benefit from the opportunity to study abroad for one term. There are currently 296 students attending AUC on LEAD scholarships in addition to 58 students who will join the program this year. Two additional programs – targeting students with exceptional academic records – are also offered to AUC students. The Academic Achievement Scholarship identifies the top 25 percent of enrolling students and reduces their tuition by 30 percent. The Honors Scholarship is awarded at the beginning of each academic year to the five students who have achieved the highest scores at the national or regional level for their respective high school diplomas. This scholarship provides an additional 40 percent tuition discount in addition to the achievement scholarships. Students who excel in national and international sports, or those who participate in cultural activities, have the opportunity to receive a 15 percent reduction in tuition. “In addition,” El Fiqi stated. “AUC has a large number of full and partial scholarships funded by private donors.” Corporations who have supported scholarships at AUC include Apache Corporation, BG Egypt, GlobalSantaFe Corporation, HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E., Al Mansour International Distribution Company, BP Egypt, Citigroup Foundation, Credit Agricole Egypt, S.A.E., ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), General Motors Egypt S.A.E., Piraeus Bank, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E, Western Union Egypt, and Xerox Egypt S.A.E.” BM
