CAIRO: The American University in Cairo (AUC) announced on Sunday that it has allocated 15 percent of its tuition income, $17.5 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 Public School Scholarship Fund (PSSF); Leadership for Education and Development Program (LEAD); the Academic Achievement Scholarship; the Honors Scholarship; Innovation, Cultural and Leadership Scholarship; and Sports Achievement Scholarship. According to Ashraf El Fiqi, vice president for student affairs, nearly 60 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 students with stellar academic records with the opportunity to receive an education at AUC. The university's Public School Scholarship Fund (PSSF), which is partially supported through the contribution of corporations and individuals, has been one of AUC's most successful scholarship programs. PSSF scholarships provide annually funding for 20 new undergraduate students who have succeeded academically and have graduated from Egyptian public schools, but do not have the financial resources to attend AUC. “Since the establishment of this program in 1990,” El Fiqi noted, “it has provided more than 233 students with the opportunity to study at AUC. About 60 percent of these students have graduated with distinction, receiving high and highest honors, and honors” El Fiqi said. Supported by the Egyptian and US 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 54 students annually – one male and one female – from each of Egypt's governorates. LEAD students also benefit from the opportunity of studying abroad for one term. There are currently 194 students attending AUC on LEAD scholarships in addition to 54 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 top five students who have achieved the highest scores at the national or regional level for their respective high school diplomas. This scholarship provides a 40 percent additional reduction in addition to the achievement scholarship. Students who excel in national and international sports or those who participated in cultural activities, have the opportunity to receive a 15 percent reduction in tuition. “Moreover,” El Fiqi noted, “this year and in the light of the current economic situation, very special consideration, within the available financial aid budgets, will be given to returning students whose families have been affected financially by the revolution.” BM
