Frequently Asked Questions

• Enable underprivileged students with exceptional academic potential to enroll in and excel through better academic opportunities
• Increase Egyptian students’ access to higher education opportunities that are offered in English and follow the fee-based credit-hour system
• Provide students with exceptional academic potential to access a greater variety of university education opportunities
• Improve students’ English language skills to facilitate the learning process and prepare them for the labor market
• Offer a semester-abroad study opportunity for 65% of the scholarship students
• Provide opportunities for students to work on developing ideas and innovative projects and turn them into real-life projects
• Contribute to increasing post-graduation job opportunities through the enhancement of students’ business, leadership and communication skills required by the labor market
• Enhance students’ leadership skills and commitment toward their country to prepare them as future leaders and advocates for change and for the development of their local communities
• Enable students to participate in and benefit from internships and funding opportunities for innovative projects through private-sector organizations
• Provide the students with housing and allowance benefits (as needed and in compliance with the scholarships criteria)

Scholarship recipients are enrolled in fee-based high-quality credit-hour programs, which offer curricula based on the latest research and current labor market needs. The English language is the prime medium of instruction in these programs. Below is a list of participating Egyptian universities, and the undergraduate majors that are offered:

The American University in Cairo

School of Business

• Economics
• Management of Information and Communication Technology

School of Sciences and Engineering

• Marine Biology
• Molecular and Cells Biology
• Physics (Solar Energy concentration)
• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Actuarial Sciences

School of Global Affairs and Public Policy

• Integrated Marketing Communication
• Multimedia Communication and Journalism

AUC scholarship recipients may be required to spend up to a preliminary/bridge year at AUC. During the preliminary/bridge year, the scholarship recipients will spend up to one academic year focusing on English language acquisition, test preparation, study skills and themed courses covering various, adaptable topics such as climate change, sustainability, global health and gender issues. Each major at AUC has its own academic entry requirements. AUC scholarship recipients should obtain these requirements (prior to or after entry depending on the major) to join their nominated major.           

English language proficiency is not a selection criterion for the scholarship programs. However, applicants interested in joining AUC are encouraged to share the results of any qualifying English language proficiency test taken before acceptance in the scholarship. English language proficiency test fees will not be refunded to the applicant. There is no obligation on the scholarship program to accept any applicant nor enroll the applicant into AUC. Selection to AUC and other participating universities is done on a competitive basis.

The scholarship program reserves the right to enroll the applicant into any one of the participating universities in a manner that best suits the objectives and student selection criteria of the scholarship.    

The minimum required score, for some international English exams, to join the AUC under the scholarship is as follows:

• IELTS: Overall band score 6 and band score 6 in the writing section
• TOEFL iBT: Overall score 76-82 and 20-21 in the writing section

Cairo University

Faculty of Engineering

• Electrical Energy Engineering
• Water and Environment Engineering
• Computers and Communications Engineering

Faculty of Economics and Political Science

• English Section

Faculty of Commerce

• Georgia State University Joint Program

Alexandria University 

Faculty of Engineering

• Computer and Communications Engineering

Ain Shams University

Faculty of Engineering

• Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Water Engineering concentration)
• Energy and Renewable Energy Engineering
• Communication Systems Engineering
• Environmental Architecture and Urbanism Engineering 
• Building Engineering
• Computer Engineering and Software Systems
• Landscape Architecture
• Mechatronics Engineering and Automation

Faculty of Computer and Artificial Intelligence

• Cyber Security
• Bioinformatics Technology  
• Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Multimedia

Assiut University

Faculty of Engineering

• Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering
• Structure Engineering and Project Management
• Biomedical Engineering
• Engineering of Interior Design & Architecture

Mansoura University

Faculty of Engineering

• Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computer and Communications Engineering  
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Building and Construction Engineering

Faculty of Computer and Information Systems

• Bioinformatics
• Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence

Faculty of Sciences

• Applied Biotechnology

Faculty of Agriculture

• Nutrition and Dietary Systems 

Faculty of Nursing

• Specialized Nursing Program (Credit-hour program taught in the English language)

Aswan University

Faculty of Sciences

• Geology

Zewail City for Sciences, Technology, and Innovation

Note: It is required to spend a preliminary preparation year for entry to Zewail City for Science, Technology, and Innovation. During the preliminary year, the scholarship recipients will spend one academic year focusing on English language acquisition, test preparation and study skills. Each major at Zewail City has its own academic entry requirements. Students should obtain these requirements (prior to or after entry depending on the major) in order to join their nominated major. Applicants interested in Zewail City are encouraged to take Zewail’s admission exams at their own expense as early as possible and not to wait until being accepted into the scholarship. The scholarship programs have no obligation to accept the applicant, enroll the applicant in Zewail City, or refund the fees for tests taken before joining the scholarship.

The scholarship program reserves the right to distribute the applicant, if accepted, to any participating university as it sees best fits the scholarship program objectives and is in line with the student selection criteria.

Faculty of Engineering

• Sustainable Energy
• Nanotechnology Engineering
• Communications and Information Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Science

• Nano Sciences
• Biomedical Sciences

Badr University in Cairo

• Faculty of Humanities (Mass Media and Journalism)

Alamein International University (AIU)

Note: Alamein International University (AIU) offers dual degrees with the University of Louisville (UofL). The AIU-UoFL 4+0 dual degree programs allow students to earn a dual degree while studying in Egypt, without needing to travel to the US.

Each major has its own academic entry requirements. Students should obtain these requirements (prior to or after entry depending on the major) in order to join their nominated major. Applicants interested in AIU are encouraged to take necessary admission exams at their own expense as early as possible and not to wait until being accepted into the scholarship. The scholarship programs have no obligation to accept the applicant, enroll the applicant in AIU or refund test fees taken before joining the scholarship.

Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering

• Computer Science program (Dual degree from UofL and AIU)
• Computer Engineering program (Dual degree from UofL and AIU)
• Artificial Intelligence Engineering program (Dual degree from UofL and AIU)
• Artificial Intelligence Science program (Dual degree from UofL and AIU)

Faculty of Engineering

• Biomedical Engineering program (Dual degree from UofL and AIU)

Galala University (This is only applicable to the USAID Egyptian Pioneers scholarship program)

Galala University (GU) offers dual degrees with Arizona State University (ASU). The GU-ASU 4+0 dual degree programs allow students to earn a dual degree while studying in Egypt, without needing to travel to the US.

Each program has its own academic entry requirements. Students should obtain these requirements (prior to or after entry depending on the major) in order to join their nominated major. Applicants interested in Galala University are encouraged to take necessary admission exams at their own expense as early as possible and not to wait until being accepted into the scholarship. The scholarship programs have no obligation to accept the applicant, enroll the applicant in Galala University or refund test fees taken before joining the scholarship.

Faculty of Administrative Sciences

• Business Administration (Dual degree) - (GU) and Arizona State University (ASU)
• Marketing Program (Dual degree) - (GU) and Arizona State University (ASU)
• Computer Information Systems Program (Dual degree from ASU and GU)

Faculty of Computer Science

• Software Engineering Program (Dual degree from ASU and GU)

Faculty of Engineering

• Electrical Engineering (Dual degree from ASU and GU)

• The student must be Egyptian
• The student has to have been enrolled in a public, experimental or STEM school throughout all three secondary education years
• The scholarship does not accept homeschooling students
• Students must obtain a first-time secondary school certificate (Thanaweya Amma) in the school year 2022-2023 first exam round
• It is expected that students will be required to obtain a total score of not less than 85% from public schools, experimental schools or their equivalent in STEM schools. However, the final cut-off score will be determined based on the national Thanaweya Amma results
• For applicants interested in agriculture and nursing majors, the scholarship might accept a score of less than 85%, which will be announced later
• The scholarship program accepts students who graduated from science and math sections, in order to serve the programs’ objectives and targets as well as the study majors
• The scholarship accepts students with disabilities from the arts, science and math sections
• Students must submit all required family financial documents
• The student should demonstrate active participation in extracurricular activities such as volunteering and development/community service
• Students should have leadership potential
• The student should clearly mention the technological skills that they need to acquire to aid them in the learning process
• Students with disabilities must submit a psychoeducational assessment and health certificate medical report, issued and sealed by a governmental hospital
• It is highly recommended to benefit from AUC’s Road to College free online program in order to enhance their English language skills. Learn more about the program and registration.

• Payment of full-tuition fees and any other related expenses during the university study years (four to five years based on the major)
• Payment of full-tuition fees and other related expenses during the preliminary/bridge year in the cases where scholarship recipients are accepted at AUC or Zewail City for Sciences, Technology, and Innovation
• Improving the scholarship recipients' English language skills; this is to facilitate their learning process and prepare them for the labor market in Egypt
• Offering preparation programs or integrated training to scholarship recipients (including scholarship recipients from unprivileged communities) to support them in adjusting to university life
• Offering a pre-program orientation to scholarship recipients
• Offering the opportunity for 65% of the scholarship recipients to study in U.S. universities for one semester
• Providing scholarship recipients with opportunities to work on developing and executing innovative projects
• Contributing to increasing the scholarship recipients’ post-graduation job opportunities through the enhancement of their business, leadership and other skills required by the labor market
• Enhancing scholarship recipients’ leadership skills and commitment through practical activities during the university years. This is to prepare them to be future leaders and advocates for the development of their local communities
• Providing scholarship recipients with entrepreneurship training to foster their innovation; hence, contributing to the needs of the national and international markets
• Enabling scholarship recipients to participate in and benefit from internship and funding opportunities for innovative projects through private sector engagement
• Providing residence or residence allowance (as needed and in compliance with the scholarship criteria)
• Covering the cost of books and lab fees
• Providing the scholarship recipients with a monthly allowance during the university year
• Providing the scholarship recipients with a personal laptop
• Medical insurance is provided to enrolled scholarship recipients
• Providing academic, social and psychological counseling to support scholarship recipients toward success

Scholarship recipients should be fully aware of the admission requirements for the partner universities and the fields of study they wish to attend as determined by the various universities and faculties and the Ministry of  Higher Education and Scientific Research during enrollment time. Admission to one of the universities participating in the scholarship is the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. It is worth mentioning that scholarship recipients could be redistributed to another university/major.

Yes, scholarship recipients can transfer to one of the partner universities in compliance with the results of scholarship recipients’ distribution among different majors, faculties, and universities.

No, the scholarship accepts only students of Thanaweya Amma class 2022-2023.

Yes, the scholarship handles the transfer procedures in collaboration with the accepted candidates. The scholarship covers all of the transfer-associated fees.

No, scholarship recipients cannot change the university, faculty or major after being distributed among partner universities.

The English language preparation program aims to equip all scholarship recipients with the required English language they will need for academic success and beyond in their professional life. The program focuses on developing their English speaking, reading and writing skills and refining their cultural awareness. The program continues throughout all years of study for scholarship recipients enrolled at participating public and non-public universities. Scholarship recipients enrolled at The American University in Cairo and Zewail City of Science, Technology, and Innovation, might need to be enrolled in a preliminary/bridge year for English language and test preparation, a requirement that scholarship recipients need to pass in order to be able to join a university in September 2024. The English language is the instruction language of the program. The program applies a modern, highly-effective and interactive teaching methodology. The Arabic language is not used in teaching.

• Fill in the free online application form
• Attach all supporting documents mentioned to the application. Please read the following instructions carefully

Application Instructions

• Applicants cannot complete more than one application. Duplication of applications will lead to the rejection of the application  
• Application should be completed by the applicant himself/herself. Applicants should not seek help with their applications. In case there is a need to seek the support of someone, the applicant should mention the reason and details in the application
• Applicants should use a computer or a laptop to complete the application. Applicants should not apply using a mobile phone
• Applicants should make sure that they have an active email account. Email is an essential means of communication with applicants
• Applicants should complete all the required essay questions
• All required documents should be ready prior to completing the application. All required/applicable fields should be completed
• All documents should be scanned and uploaded to the application. Applications with incomplete documents will be discarded.
• All attached documents files should be renamed under the full name of the applicant. Example: Tamer Kamal Fathy Amin/National ID
• Originals of all documents should be ready in case of request
• All uploaded files should be in PDF format except for the applicant’s photo which should be in jpg format

Applicants with Disabilities

• The scholarship encourages applicants with disabilities to apply
• Applicants with disabilities should submit a psychoeducational assessment and medical report proving the disability status. These reports should be issued and sealed by a governmental hospital
• Applicants with disabilities should provide all relevant information and medical reports about their disabilities in order for the scholarship to provide the required medical support and a convenient academic environment

Application Documents

• A recent photo
• A scanned copy of the applicant's national ID
• A scanned copy of the applicant’s parent or legal guardian’s ID
• A recent proof of monthly expenditure on home electricity
• Financial statement(s) for the past six months for all of the family’s bank/post saving accounts, loans and such if any
• A scanned copy of an original, sealed and detailed parent’s salary pay slip or pension. In the case of a self-employed breadwinner, a copy of a recent tax report is required
• If the family is a beneficiary of the Governmental Pension Program “Takaful and Karama”, a scanned copy of the family ID card should be provided or a sealed document as a proof
• A scanned copy of a sealed certificate from the applicant’s secondary school. The certificate should prove that the applicant’s school is a government or STEM school, and that the applicant spent the three high school years in the school. The scholarship accepts either one certificate for each year, or one certificate for the three years together
• Scanned copies of certificates of achievement, completion, appreciation and others
• Scanned copies of lease or ownership contracts for home, car, land and others
• Scanned copies of all required documents as well as the psychoeducational assessment and medical report of applicants with disabilities from a governmental hospital    

Note: All information provided by the applicants is dealt with confidentiality and released to concerned stakeholders under extreme necessities following program rules and regulations.

The applications will be reviewed to select the qualified scholarship recipient. First, an evaluation committee reviews and filters all submitted applications, then, shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview and selection camp appointment to be conducted by the scholarship program evaluation team. Below are some tentative dates for applicant-guiding purposes only.

Note: These dates are not final and are subject to change without prior notice.

The interviews and selection camp will be conducted in-person in Cairo. Candidates should come to Cairo in-person. All relevant details will be shared with shortlisted candidates in advance.

Yes, the scholarship will cover the cost of travel and a one-night accommodation for short-listed candidates residing in governorates who are not in the Greater Cairo region (or the candidate only). The scholarship will cover the cost for the students only.

For the short-listed candidates with disabilities, it is allowed for the candidate to have an escort/companion. The scholarship will cover the cost for both.

A committee might pay visits to a number of the candidates’ homes to get to know them and their families better and to answer any scholarship-related questions.

Yes, there will be preparations to accommodate and facilitate the needs of short-listed candidates with disabilities during the interviews and selection camp and the scholarship program in general. Applicants with disabilities should submit the required documents to prove and detail their disability.

Yes, all accepted candidates will be announced and contacted, and you will be asked to sign an acceptance/commitment letter for the scholarship.

The American University in Cairo, which is responsible for administering the scholarship, emphasizes the following conditions in order to maintain the scholarship:

• Showing improvement in English language skills.
• Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0 (Good), or the minimum GPA that the scholarship recipient’s assigned university policies decide on
• Being involved in at least one social activity, either a civic engagement project, a non-curricular/extracurricular activity, or a summer training/internship every academic year
• Attending all preparation programs, events and scholarship periodical meetings
• Participating in leadership and experiential learning programs
• Attending entrepreneurship, job placement and other programs
• Registering for the maximum number of subjects in all semesters and meeting their faculty’s graduation timeline. (Scholarship recipients with disabilities, emergencies and special cases will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis)
• Abiding by the scholarship’s rules and regulations

Yes, they can travel to their hometown if they don’t have courses or any other activities related to the scholarship. This can only be done on the condition that the scholarship recipient provides their university’s program coordinator with a written travel notification of their travel plans.

The scholarship program will organize some activities during some of the mid-year and summer breaks. However, the program realizes how important it is for scholarship recipients to return to their hometowns to spend time with their families and friends. Scholarship recipients who need additional English language training after the first year may be required to spend part of the summer vacation in intensive English classes. It is worth mentioning that it is preferable for scholarship recipients to spend summer vacations in their hometowns and participate in community service projects.

No, the scholarship covers all fees including tuition fees, books, labs and housing, as well as provides a stipend for living expenses during the program. Yet, they should spend their stipend wisely or rely on other sources of funds.

No, scholarship recipients are not allowed to participate or join any other training programs during the scholarship duration. Scholarship recipients should focus on their studies and the other supplemental activities and training provided by the scholarship program.

The scholarship provides academic advising and psychological support for all scholarship recipients in order to guarantee their success. In case of failing a subject, the scholarship program will look into the causes. The scholarship recipient will receive a warning letter and will be asked to submit a study plan in order to avoid repeating failure. The scholarship recipient might pay for the failed subject cost in coordination with the scholarship program management. The scholarship could be terminated for this scholarship recipient in case of repeated failure.

Yes, partner universities have available academic and personal counselors to help scholarship recipients. There is also a scholarship coordinator who will be the prime contact person for all scholarship recipients in one university and provides all necessary academic or general support.