American University of Sharjah Expands Financial Aid To Students

American University of Sharjah

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) has frozen its fees this year and have expanded financial aid to students, a university official has announced on Thursday.

However, the majority of students pay less than this. “In fact, more than 50 per cent of AUS students are in receipt of grants and scholarships, which is total Dh80 million each year.”

AUS Acting Chancellor, Dr Thomas Hochstettler, said: “The decision was made at the last meeting of the AUS Board of Trustees, chaired by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah and President of AUS, in support of families and their children in the university,” Dr Hochstettler said.

Dr Hochstettler said the decision not to increase the university’s tuition fees was initiated by the Ruler of Sharjah, and is appreciated by the members of the AUS Board of Trustees.

Ali Shuhaimy, AUS Vice Chancellor for Enrolment Management, said: “The average undergraduate tuition fees at AUS for students enrolling this academic year are around Dh80,000 per year, which is in line with most international universities of our standing, both in Europe and the US.

Shuhaimy clarified that the designated funds aim to aid students who may need assistance with the cost of their education at the university.

He also added that highly qualified undergraduate students with limited financial resources may be awarded a financial grant while students with exceptional high school performance may receive partial scholarship.

Gulf News spoke to AUS students regarding the fee freeze and increase in financial aid.

Shahdan Barakat, a 19-year-old Egyptian student, said that the fee freeze will be of great help to her family.

“This is great news, especially with the increasing cost of rent and living expenses. I hope this fee freeze continues until I graduate because the increase in living cost is a real burden for my family.”

Students with one or more brothers or sisters attending AUS at the same time are also eligible for a family tuition grant.

Junior AUS student Tamara Khamis, a Yemeni-Spanish, is one of the students benefiting from the sibling discount.

“My sister who is joining AUS this year will be getting 25 per cent off her tuition and lab fees and the fact they are not increasing the fees is helpful given that the UAE is not a cheap place to live in,” said Tamara.