A guide to Financial Aid and Scholarships
We believe that all outstanding students should have the chance to further their education regardless of their financial background. Therefore, the ADU Financial Aid program has been set up to ensure equal opportunities for those who have achieved the grades they need but cannot afford a university program. ADU's Financial Aid and Scholarships are available for bachelor's and master's programs at Abu Dhabi University.
Funding issued under the ADU financial aid program is designed to help students with the costs of their studies.
What are undergraduate scholarships?
Scholarships and financial aid can be applied for by those about to begin their studies at Abu Dhabi University. Currently, the undergraduate scholarships available include the following:
- Athletic Scholarships
- Academic Scholarships
- University Scholarships
- Family Tuition Waiver
- H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarships
What are master's scholarships?
Master's scholarships are available to students who wish to enrol on a master's degree. Currently, the master's scholarships offered under the ADU Financial Aid program include the following:
- Merit-based Graduate Scholarships
- Alumni Scholarships
How do I apply for ADU financial aid?
First, make an appointment with the Scholarships and ADU Financial Aid Team. They will tell you which documents to submit and guide you through the application process. Then you can apply using the online self-service system. You will require your student ID to use this facility, which you will receive upon being accepted into Abu Dhabi University. You will also need to be registered in a program at the University so the ADU Financial Aid team can calculate the funding you are eligible to receive.
Are there deadlines for applying for financial aid?
Yes, there are deadlines, and these are displayed on the University's online calendar. The application dates align with the dates for admission. With the academic year broken down into semesters, you can easily see the closing date for submission.
Will I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Yes, the eligibility for ADU Financial Aid considers your or your family's financial situation. This may change, so we ask students to reapply at the start of each academic year. To ensure that you remain eligible for ADU Financial Aid, you must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.75 or above and pass a minimum of six credit hours. Scholarships are assessed case-by-case, but all students applying must have achieved a minimum grade of 70% in qualifications from secondary school.
How soon will I know if I am going to receive financial aid?
Each case is assessed individually, and it typically takes seven to ten days for an ADU Financial Aid application to be processed. Scholarships are processed after the applicant has completed the required credit hours and can take between two and three working days to complete.
What is a merit-based waiver?
A merit-based tuition waiver is a form of ADU Financial Aid that can cover up to 25% of tuition fees. To be considered for this scholarship, students who wish to apply must achieve a CGPA of 3.60 for two semesters.
What is the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship?
This scholarship offers a 100% waiver on application fees, tuition fees, registration fees, student services, and health services. To apply, students must be new to the University and be applying to join the fall semester. In addition, the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship is only offered to students deemed to be among the top 20 public secondary school graduates. Applicants must also meet the English language proficiency requirements defined by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and have a minimum EmSAT (Emirates Standardised Test) maths score of 1,200, an English score of 1,600, and an Arabic score of 900.
Do I qualify for financial aid?
Whether or not you qualify for ADU Financial Aid will depend on your or your family's financial situation. We may also consider your academic history. Those applying for financial aid will be required to provide proof of their family's income and expenditure, which we will assess to decide which form of ADU Financial Aid is most applicable. An ADU Financial Aid grant can typically cover between 10% and 40% of tuition fees, depending on your circumstances. By comparison, standard scholarships can cover up to 50% of these costs. However, these also require specific standards of academic performance to be met.
Can international students apply for ADU Financial Aid?
As one of the world's leading universities, we attract students from all over the world. Therefore, we make many of our scholarships and ADU Financial Aid services available to students from overseas. The exceptions to this rule are the Abu Dhabi University Scholarship, which is only open to UAE residents and national and GCC candidates, and the H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Scholarship, which is exclusive to those who have studied at public secondary schools in the UAE.