Frequently Asked Questions

The Tomorrow's Leaders Gender Scholars (TLS) program is a joint effort between the US Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) and The American University in Cairo (AUC). The program provides full-tuition scholarships and multiple training opportunities for undergraduate students who are receiving institutional financial aid for up to one year. It aims to empower students to become gender-sensitive, civic-minded citizens and to acquire academic knowledge, research and leadership skills to advocate for policy reform and action in accordance with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 and the GEEA priorities.

Students enrolled in the program will receive:

• Full tuition fees and other academic fees for up to one year (provided that the student continues to meet the scholarship requirements)
• Training workshops to increase awareness of gender-related issues and enhance their leadership skills
• Academic advising and faculty mentoring on gender-focused research
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunities to attend seminars/round-table discussions and workshops sponsored by Tomorrow's Leaders (TL)

In addition, TLS students will be eligible to benefit from some of the exclusive opportunities offered to TL alumni.

• Current full-time AUC students are receiving financial aid and not on other full, partial, or named scholarships
• Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0
• Students should be sophomores at the time of application and must have a minimum of two remaining semesters, fall and spring, to graduate (at least 24 credits remaining) at AUC
• Students must demonstrate leadership potential through active engagement in extracurricular activities and/or community service

You can apply to TLS, but if you are accepted, you may have to forfeit your other scholarship.

To review the terms and conditions of your scholarship, refer to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

No, students from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, and West Bank and Gaza can apply to TLS.

Yes, you need to get two letters (ideally from a professor, a professional who knows your academic and/or leadership, a mentor and so on) and attach them to the application.

Yes, as long as it is official (signed) and is not more than a year old.

You can apply to TLS, but TLS scholarship recipients are expected to be on campus for the duration of the scholarship. If you are accepted into TLS, you will have to either withdraw/defer your semester abroad/exchange application or decline the TLS offer.

Yes, you do not have to register for a gender course before or while applying. Students who get accepted into the program will be provided with a list of approved gender courses to choose from and add during the drop-and-add week.

• Register in a gender course and maintain a GPA of 3.0 each semester
• Attend all TLS-organized workshops, seminars, round-tables, and forum discussions as required
• Commit to not withdrawing from the required gender course under any circumstance and any of the other registered courses during the semester without prior approval
• Submit one research paper on a topic relevant to the WPS agenda and GEEA priorities
• Participate each semester in at least one activity to advocate for gender equality such as internships, volunteering, blog posts, podcasts, awareness-raising campaigns or other approved activities
• Work cooperatively and respectfully with the TLS program administration

The award is for one year, provided that the student continues to meet the scholarship requirements by the end of the first semester. Conferring the completion certificate is contingent on successfully completing all programmatic requirements by the end of the year.

The scholarship will cover up to two semesters (fall/spring) in which you are enrolled as long as one of the courses you are enrolled in is a gender course. Summer and winter semesters will be considered on a case-by-case basis and depending on budget availability.

The program covers the full tuition fees for the gender and other courses to fulfill your graduation requirements.

The minimum number is one gender course per semester.

Students are expected to have a full-time load of 15-16 credit hours for non-science and up to 19 credits for science majors each semester.

Students are expected to have a full-time load each semester. Overloads are only granted on an exceptional basis pending budget availability.

You can pursue your major courses and enroll in at least one gender course per semester.

The TLS program will provide students with a confirmed list of gender courses before the drop and add week. Approved gender courses for fall 2023 include: ARIC 2097, ARIC 3098, ARIC 3104, ARIC 3397, PSYC 3021, AMST 1099, ANTH 3080, SOC 1099, SOC 2302, SOC 2402, SOC 3060, ECLT 1023, and FILM 3150.

This is an intensive gender and leadership program. Students will be provided with a semester work plan at the beginning of the semester so that they can plan their time accordingly.

TLS students will be able to submit a renewal form regarding their financial aid unless instructed otherwise by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Yes. Work-study programs, paid internships, and part-time jobs are allowed, provided they do not prevent you from fulfilling your academic and scholarship requirements. Students are expected to report all income-producing activities to the AUC TLS team.

Apply through Banner Self-Service.

Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line, TLS Application, and include your SID in the email.