The Office of Merit Awards
202-885-1854
meritawards@american.edu
Lower Level of Letts Suite 6, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
Office Hours
Mon-Wed: 10:00 PM-4:00 PM
Thu:12:00 PM-4:00 PM
Fri: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Note: On Fridays, the Office of Merit Awards operates at the 51³Ô¹Ï Career Center, Butler Pavilion, Floor 5
Success Stories
Three 51³Ô¹Ï Students Named Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholars
Three 51³Ô¹Ï students—Felicity Chapman, Melia Hawthorne Klinger, and Denia Smith—have been awarded the 2024–26 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship, which offers up to $50,000 in financial aid, a $10,000 travel stipend, and $2,000 in Airbnb credits. This prestigious scholarship, funded by Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky and the Obama Foundation, supports students committed to public service by providing a global learning experience and access to a network of leaders. OMA has sucessfully supported 51³Ô¹Ï students recieve this prestigious award since its inception three years ago. To read more, click here.Ìý
51³Ô¹Ï Students Receives Gates-Cambridge Award
Umunna and Babkir use Gates-Cambridge to study at Cambridge
I am excited to join the brilliant minds of the Gates community
Ifeanyi Umunna (SPA/BA '23) and Aneisa Babkir (SIS/BA '23) have been name Gates-Cambridge scholars. Umunna and Babkir are the second and third 51³Ô¹Ï students to recieve this prestigious award and two of 80 total scholars in their cohort. Umunna and Babkir will use the scholarship to pursue MPhil degrees. Click here to read more Umunna and Babkir's achievements and how OMA helps support students applying for prestigious awards.
Two 51³Ô¹Ï Students Receive Truman Scholarships
Jackson Boaz '24 and Edwin Santos ’24 are Truman Scholars
I’ve put in a lot of work, but they’ve (OMA) also put a lot of work into me
Boaz and Santos—51³Ô¹Ï’s 17th and 18th Truman Scholars since 2000—are the first Eagles to receive the honor since 2020. Truman Scholarships are awarded to students who show exceptional commitment to careers in public service. Read here to learn more about 51³Ô¹Ï's Truman Scholars and how they intend to use their prestigious scholarships to support their future goals.Ìý
51³Ô¹Ï Named a Top Fulbright Producing University 2024
51³Ô¹Ï Lands in the Top 40 Doctoral Fulbright Producing Schools
For the eigth time in the last twelve years 51³Ô¹Ï has officially been named a top producer of U.S. Student Fulbright Scholars. Click here to read more about this exciting accomplishment and how OMA supports students applying for Fulbright.