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Bottom Financial Quintile Student Support
Bottom Financial Quintile Student Support

 

American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) has implemented a robust and multifaceted system of programmes or initiatives to assist students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group to successfully complete their studies. The cornerstone of this system is the university's comprehensive "Scholarship and Financial Aid Policy" (https://www.aiub.edu/admission/scholarships). This policy moves beyond merit-only awards to include specific, targeted programmes for students with demonstrated financial need. Key among these is the "General Need Based Tuition Fee Waiver", the "Scholarship for Students from Underrepresented Group" which explicitly includes "low-income" students, and waivers for children of Freedom Fighters and siblings, all designed to alleviate the financial burden that is the primary obstacle to completion for this cohort. This financial support is strategically linked to academic performance, creating a "sustainable loop" where aid is contingent on maintaining a strong CGPA. To ensure students can meet these standards, AIUB provides parallel support initiatives. This is further supplemented by financial literacy programmes and academic support workshops, which together create a holistic framework ensuring students have the financial, professional, and academic resources to successfully complete their degrees. AIUB has several decent admission policies, scholarships, and low-income student support services and these programmes or initiatives provide support for the students to assist students who fall into the low or bottom 20% of household income group to successfully complete their studies.

Non-Discriminatory Admission Policy of AIUB

AIUB admits qualified and selected students of any age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, underrepresented groups, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students.

AIUB does not discriminate on the basis of

  • Age
  • Gender or gender identity
  • Sexual orientationn
  • Race
  • Disability
  • Color
  • Religion
  • National or ethnic groups
  • Under represented groups
  • Under privileged groups
  • Non-traditional Students*

in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other programs.

*Non-Traditional Students (Definition): An applicant who has completed a degree that is equivalent to the requirement but not specifically mentioned in the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s list of requirements. [But the degree that is exclusively barred in the UGC list of requirements will not be acceptable]. The equivalency of the degree must be recommended by the admission interview committee/ faculty dean/ administration based on verification of relevant documents. The final decision of the admission is at the discretion of the AIUB Management.

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/admission/admission-policy/aiub-non-discriminatory-admission-policy

Admission Policy for Students with Disability of AIUB

The American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) is committed to provide equal opportunity to the qualified and deserving candidates regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, underrepresented groups, and national or ethnic origin.

AIUB promotes academic freedom among applicants with disability as a commitment towards inclusive society.

Admission application of candidates with disability will be assessed based on the following criteria:

AIUB does not discriminate on the basis of

  • Admission applicants under this category must meet the disability criteria as defined by the ‘Bangladesh persons with disabilities rights and protection act 2013’ and must provide documentation to verify this.
  • Applicants must meet the minimum standards for admission
    1. for undergraduate: SSC/HSC/O’level/A’Level results
    2. for graduate: see (a), undergraduate results
  • Recommendation from the admission interview committee/ faculty dean/ administration based on the availability of adequate campus facilities to overcome the type of disability.
  • The final decision of the admission is at the discretion of the AIUB Management.

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/admission/admission-policy/aiub-admission-policy-for-students-with-disability

Admission Policy for Underrepresented Group

The American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) is committed to provide equal opportunity to the qualified and deserving candidates regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, underrepresented groups, and national or ethnic origin.

AIUB promotes academic freedom among applicants coming from the underrepresented group (i.e., ethnic minorities, low-income, non-traditional*, 3rd Gender, newly settled refugee) as a commitment towards inclusive society.

Admission application of applicants coming from the underrepresented group will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Admission applicants under this category must submit relevant documents that can verified to identify their status of the underrepresented group.
  • Applicants must meet the minimum standards for admission
    1. for undergraduate: SSC/HSC/O’level/A’Level results
    2. for graduate: see (a), undergraduate results
  • Recommendation from the admission interview committee/ faculty dean/ administration in support of the application.
  • The final decision of the admission is at the discretion of the AIUB Management.

*Non-Traditional Students (Definition): An applicant who has completed a degree that is equivalent to the requirement but not specifically mentioned in the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s list of requirements. [But the degree that is exclusively barred in the UGC list of requirements will not be acceptable]. The equivalency of the degree must be recommended by the admission interview committee/ faculty dean/ administration based on verification of relevant documents. The final decision of the admission is at the discretion of the AIUB Management.

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/admission/admission-policy/aiub-admission-policy-for-underrepresented-group-

Scholarship (tuition fee waiver only) and Financial Aid Policies

The purpose of this policy is to help the deserving students of the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) to bridge the gap between the education cost and their financial resources.

At AIUB, the categories of Scholarship (tuition fee waiver only) and Financial Aid are as followings:

  1. Scholarship
    1. Academic
      1. Merit Based Scholarships (For Freshman students)
      2. Academic Scholarship for Regular Students
      3. Dr. Anwarul Abedin Scholarship for female Undergraduate Students
      4. Mrs. Hasna Abedin Scholarship (Proposed)
    2. Exra-Curricular
      1. National Talents Scholarships
      2. Sports Scholarships
      3. Club Scholarships
  2. Financial Aid
    1.  
      1. General Need Based Tuition Fee Waiver
      2. Freedom Fighter Waiver
      3. Alumni Tuition Fee Waiver
      4. Corporate Tuition Fee Waiver
      5. Sibling Waiver
      6. AIUB Employee Waiver
      7. AIUB Employee Dependent Waiver
      8. On-campus jobs
      9. Volunteer Scheme

Note: One student is entitled to receive scholarship in only one category. If in any case, a student qualifies for scholarship in more than one category; s/he would be entitled to the one of higher percentage (as and if applicable).

Details of the Scholarship (tuition fee waiver only) and Financial Aid Policy:

  1. Merit Based (For Freshman students) Scholarships:

The Applicant must have:

  1. GPA 5.00 (Golden) OR GPA 5.00 in SSC and HSC
  2. 5 (Five) ‘A’ in O-Level (at a time) and 2 (two) ‘A’ in A-Level (at a time); no grade lower than ‘B’

Application Procedure:

An applicant fulfilling all the above criterion must sit for a Scholarship Exam and must pass with Satisfactory Grade (the Acceptable Passing Grade may vary from time to time and will be decided by the Scholarship Committee) in order to be a Recipient of Academic Scholarship/Grant. The number of recipients may vary from time to time and the Award of Scholarship depends on the availability of slots.

  1. Academic Scholarship for Regular Student:

The Applicant must have:

  1. Complete two (2) regular semesters (Spring & Fall)
  2. Can apply only in a regular semester.
  3. Academic load for regular full-time student:

Minimum Number of Academic Load (Program and Semester wise)

Effective Fall 2023-2024
 

Minimum Number of credits (academic load)

Program

FALL

SPRING

SUMMER

Undergraduate

>/=15

>/=15

9-10

Graduate (except EMBA)

12

12

6

EMBA

4 courses

4 courses

2 courses
 
  1. CGPA of 3.75 or above.
  2. Must not have grade lower than ‘B’ [undergraduate program] / ‘B+’ [graduate program] in any academic period
  3. No ‘Fail (F)’, no ‘Incomplete (I), no ‘Withdrawn (W)’, no ‘Unofficial Withdrawn (UW)’, no dropping course(s) or no Retake Course(s)
  4. No Disciplinary Action Taken

Note:

The number of recipients may vary from time to time and the Award of Scholarship depends on the availability of slots.

  1. Anwarul Abedin Scholarship for female Undergraduate Students:

This scholarship grant is established in honor of the late Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Dr. Anwarul Abedin. His vision in providing opportunities for female students to have greater access to university education augurs well to the national and international concern of narrowing the gender gap in the university. The grant covers only the tuition fee (100%) given to qualified female student every regular semester, Fall and Spring, based on the number of slots to be declared by the Scholarship Committee. (One per faculty)

Criteria for the Selection of Recipients (For Undergraduate Female Students Only)

  • CGPA OF 3.8 and above
  • No grade below B+
  • Regular Full Time/Full Credit, 12-15 credits with no semester gap
  • Certification of No Disciplinary Action (to be issued by OSA)
  • Certification of Good Moral Character (to be issued by OSA)
  • Membership in any AIUB Club
  • Certification of Active Participation in Department/Course Extra Curricular Activities (e.g., volunteer, organizer of seminars, workshops, competitions, etc.)
  • Not a recipient of any kind of scholarship/financial assistance provided by the university or any other organization.

The renewal of the Grant every regular semester is subject to maintaining the CGPA and other criteria prescribed above.

  1. Hasna Abedin Scholarship: (Proposed)

This scholarship grant is established in honor of the late Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Mrs. Hasna Abedin. Her vision in strengthening higher education and concentration in specialization and research. The grant covers only the tuition fee (100%) given to qualified post graduate student every regular semester, Fall and Spring, based on the number of slots to be declared by the Scholarship Committee. (One per faculty)

Criteria for the Selection of Recipients (For Postgraduate Students Only)

  • CGPA OF 3.8 and above
  • No grade below B+
  • Regular Full Time/Full Credit, 12 credits with no semester gap
  • Certification of No Disciplinary Action (to be issued by OSA)
  • Certification of Active Participation in Department/Course Extra Curricular/ Social Welfare/ Research Activities.
  • Not a recipient of any kind of scholarship/financial assistance provided by the university or any other organization.

The renewal of the Grant every regular semester is subject to maintaining the CGPA and other criteria prescribed above.

  1. National Talent Scholarships:

Awarded to students based on their achievements in the national level recognized by the relevant national authority. Based on the application and supporting documents, Scholarship Committee will recommend the eligibility and percentage of tuition fee waiver.

Scholarship for National talents under the MOU between AIUB and National Level Organizations will be awarded as per the clause mentioned in the MOU.

Scholarship Grant for National Talent recipients are selected by the Scholarship Committee. However, the decision to extend scholarship to any individual student remains at the complete Discretion of the Scholarship Committee .

  1. Sports Scholarships:

The sports scholarship is awarded to a selected number of students who participate in sports activities for the university. Percentage of waiver will be decided by the Scholarship Committee based on the contribution of the applicant in the sports category. The student must also demonstrate financial need.

  1. Club Scholarships:

The club scholarship is awarded to a selected number of students who are members of the AIUB student clubs. The student must have been a regular member of the club for at least one year and contributed in the achievements of the club. Percentage of waiver will be decided by the Scholarship Committee based on the contribution of the applicant in the club activities. The student must also demonstrate financial need.

  1. Scholarship for Students with disability

The American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) is committed to provide equal opportunity to the qualified and deserving candidates regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, underrepresented groups, and national or ethnic origin. 

AIUB promotes academic freedom among students with disability as a commitment towards inclusive society. 

Scholarship is awarded to students with disabilities based on the following criteria:

  • Must be a full-time student of AIUB
  • Must have a disability as defined by the ‘Bangladesh persons with disabilities rights and protection act 2013’ and must provide documentation to verify this.
  • Applicants must meet the minimum standards to qualify (number of credits/semester, GPA, CGPA, continuity of studies)
  • Must submit application at the Registrar’s Office within the given deadline of every semester.
  • Percentage of scholarship will depend on the recommendation made by the scholarship committee based on their assessment of the application and/or an interview process.
  • The final decision of the scholarship is at the discretion of the AIUB Management. 
  1. Scholarship for Students from Underrepresented Group

The American International University–Bangladesh (AIUB) is committed to provide equal opportunity to the qualified and deserving candidates regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, underrepresented groups, and national or ethnic origin. 

AIUB promotes academic freedom among students coming from the underrepresented group (i.e., ethnic minorities, low-income, non-traditional*, 3rd Gender, newly settled refugee) as a commitment towards inclusive society. 

Scholarship is awarded to students coming from the underrepresented group based on the following criteria:

  1. Must be a full-time student of AIUB
  2. Must have proper documentation to verify underrepresented group status as applicable.
  3. Applicants must meet the minimum standards to qualify (number of credits/semester, GPA, CGPA, continuity of studies)
  4. Must submit application at the Registrar’s Office within the given deadline of every semester.
  5. Percentage of scholarship will depend on the recommendation made by the scholarship committee based on their assessment of the application and/or an interview process.

The final decision of the scholarship is at the discretion of the AIUB Management.

*Non-Traditional Students (Definition): An applicant who has completed a degree that is equivalent to the requirement but not specifically mentioned in the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s list of requirements. [But the degree that is exclusively barred in the UGC list of requirements will not be acceptable]. The equivalency of the degree must be recommended by the admission interview committee/ faculty dean/ administration based on verification of relevant documents. The final decision of the admission is at the discretion of the AIUB Management.

  1. General Need Based Tuition Fee Waiver

The Applicant must have:

  • Complete two (2) regular semesters (Spring & Fall)
  • Can apply only in a regular semester.
  • Fresh application is not allowed for summer semester.
  • After submission of application concern department will arrange VIVA for the deserving candidates.
  • The number of recipients may vary from time to time depending on the availability of slots.
  • The grant shall be for one (1) semester and shall include waiver of tuition fees only.
  • Regular academic load of at least 14-15 credits (Undergraduate Degree Program), 12 credits (Graduates Degree Program), 4 Courses (EMBA Degree Program) per regular semester.
  • CGPA of 3.50 or above.
  • No ‘Fail (F)’, no ‘Incomplete(I), no ‘Withdrawn (W)’, no ‘Unofficial Withdrawn (UW)’, no dropping course(s) or no Retake Course(s)
  • No Disciplinary Action Taken
  • Scholarship Committee has the full authority to take any decision on this matter.
  1. Freedom Fighter Waiver:
  • After successfully passing in admission test exam, applicant must sit for Freedom Fighter test exam. Scholarship Committee select them on the basis of appropriate Freedom Fighter papers (as per the guideline of ministry), Freedom Fighter exam result and University Quota policy (as per the guideline of UGC).
  • The grant shall be for one (1) semester and shall include waiver of tuition fees only.
  • Regular academic load of at least 14-15 credits (Undergraduate Degree Program), 12 credits (Graduates Degree Program), 4 Courses (EMBA Degree Program) per regular semester.
  • CGPA of 3.50 or above.
  • No ‘Fail (F)’, no ‘Incomplete (I), no ‘Withdrawn (W)’, no ‘Unofficial Withdrawn (UW)’, no dropping course(s) or no Retake Course(s)
  • No Disciplinary Action Taken
  1. Alumni Tuition Fee Waiver:

The Applicant must have:

  • The grant shall be for one (1) semester and shall include waiver of tuition fees only.
  • Regular academic load of at least 14-15 credits (Undergraduate Degree Program), 12 credits (Graduates Degree Program), 4 Courses (EMBA Degree Program) per regular semester.
  • CGPA of 3.50 or above.
  • No ‘Fail (F)’, no ‘Incomplete (I), no ‘Withdrawn (W)’, no ‘Unofficial Withdrawn (UW)’, no dropping course(s) or no Retake Course(s)
  • No Disciplinary Action Taken
  • Scholarship Committee has the full authority to take any decision on this matter.
  1. Corporate Tuition Fee Waiver:

The corporate tuition fee waiver is only applicable to postgraduate students who are working in public / reputed private organizations (original employment document must be submitted every semester at the time of registration). Students will be entitled to corporate tuition fee waiver in the following categories:

  1. Public Organization:
    1. Civil Organization
    2. Defense Organization
  2. Private Organization:
    1. Individual
    2. Group
  3. Based on MOU with AIUB

Percentage of waiver will be decided by the Scholarship Committee or, as mentioned in the valid MOU between the organization and AIUB. AIUB Management reserves the right to update/ cancel the MOU at any time if necessary. To be eligible for the corporate waiver student must register for minimum 12 credits (4 courses for EMBA) every semester.

  1. Special Tuition Fees Waiver for Female students for MPH program:

AIUB offers special benefits to encourage female students to apply for higher education. To encourage and improve female participation in Public Health sector, AIUB offers 35% tuition fees waiver to all the female students of the MPH program.

  1. Sibling Waiver

Sibling of a current student will be entitled to a percentage of tuition fee waiver as decided by the Scholarship Committee. Siblings must be registered in the same semester to be eligible for the waiver. The scholarship will only continue as long as siblings are registered students.

  1. AIUB Employee Waiver

AIUB Employees are entitled to tuition fee waiver after 1 year of full-time services. Percentage of Employee Waiver depends on the number of years the employee has served AIUB as decided by the Scholarship Committee.

  1. AIUB Employee Dependent Waiver

First (1st) degree affinity of AIUB Employees is entitled to tuition fee waiver after 1 year of full-time services. Percentage of the waiver depends on the number of years the employee has served AIUB as decided by the Scholarship Committee.

  1. On-Campus Jobs

Students may avail the opportunity of earning through part-time on campus jobs. Based on the requirement of various departments of the university, temporary part-time jobs are circulated in the university notice boards.

  1. Volunteer Scheme

Office of Student Affairs (OSA) maintain a pool of student volunteers after they are selected through a selection process. Volunteers are engaged in various university events for a specific period of time. Most of these engagements are completely voluntary. For some specific events, if required a nominal compensation can be given to the volunteering student as a daily allowance.

Renewal of Grant:

Recipient of any of the Academic Scholarship/Grant or Tuition Fee Waiver mentioned above has to comply with the underlying rules consistently. The student:

  1. Must be enrolled with regular academic load of at least 14-15 credits (Undergraduate Degree Program) OR 12 credits (Graduate Degree Program) per regular semester.
  2. Must be enrolled in all academic courses during the preceding and subsequent semesters.
  3. Must not have any disciplinary record.
  4. Must have a CGPA of 3.75 or above with No ‘Fail (F)’, no ‘Incomplete (I), no ‘Withdrawn (W)’, no ‘Unofficial Withdrawn (UW)’, no dropping course(s) or no Retake Course(s)
  5. And must have an attendance of more than 80% at all times.

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/admission/scholarships

AIUB Mental Health Support Services

AIUB provides comprehensive mental health support to its students in partnership with wEvolve.5 This programme offers free or subsidised access to professional counseling, psychoeducation sessions, and workshops on managing stress, exam anxiety, and emotional well-being. For students from low-income families, who may face unique stressors related to financial pressure, access to mental health services is a critical component of support to complete university. By providing these services confidentially and accessibly on campus, AIUB ensures that mental health challenges do not become an obstacle to academic student success. This initiative is a vital part of supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which is a prerequisite for achieving the educational and economic goals outlined in SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

AIUB Provides mental health support services to students, faculty members and officials through wEvolve, a holistic organization geared towards promoting, enabling, and improving mental health for all those who are struggling alone. Regardless of the issues and conditions that may be affecting one’s overall mental health, wEvolve is an emerging source of comfort and support for the community as a comprehensive mental health service provider in Bangladesh, with experienced mental health professionals and their in-depth knowledge, skills, and expertise in the field.

At AIUB, wEvolve provides:

  • Professional mental health support to the students and staff.
  • Individual counselling sessions for students and staff, psychoeducation for the caregiver of the student. AIUB students, faculty members and officials can book appointments directly with the on-campus expert counsellors of wEvolve during office hours on weekdays. Online counselling sessions are also available during weekends or holidays. The counselling sessions are fully confidential, and information shared during the session is kept strictly only between the counsellor and the attendee.
  • Self-Assessment for faculty members and officials for mental wellbeing.
  • Celebrate annual mental health day with AIUB student clubs.
  • Promote mental health awareness in the AIUB community.
  • Conducts workshops and information sessions on a regular basis focusing:
    • Effective communication
    • Stress management
    • Anger management
    • Exam phobia
    • Dealing with depression
    • Dealing with anxiety
    • Mindfulness
    • A workshop on psychological first aid: How to help a distressed person
    • Relationship skills
    • Sleep hygiene
    • The science & art of parenting
    • Emotional literacy: Managing difficult emotions
    • Personal well-being
    • Social well-being
    • Mental abilities and skills

#AIUB #MentalHealthSupport #StudentWellness #SDG3 #SDG1 #SDG4 #StudentSupport #Counseling #NoPoverty #GoodHealth

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/oncampus/mental-health-support-service

Relevant Events and Initiatives:

“Let’s Talk Money” by AIUB Business Club (ABC)

On June 15, 2024, the AIUB Business Club organized an interactive session titled "Let's Talk Money".This initiative is a key part of AIUB's student support system, focusing on financial literacy—a critical skill for students from low-income families. The programme featured financial experts and AIUB alumni who provided valuable insights into money management, saving strategies, and smart investments. For students from the bottom 20% of household income group, who may be managing tight budgets or receiving financial aid, this training is essential for helping them manage their funds effectively, avoid debt, and stay financially stable, thus enabling them to successfully complete their studies. This practical workshop supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) by building financial resilience and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

#AIUB #ABC #LetsTalkMoney #FinancialLiteracy #SDG1 #SDG4 #StudentSupport #MoneyManagement #NoPoverty #StudentSuccess

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/lets-talk-money-by-aiub-business-club-abc

 

 

Seminar on Personal Finance and Career Workshop:

On November 11, 2024, the Office of Placement & Alumni (OPA) and the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) jointly organized a "Financial Literacy and Career Workshop".3 This programme directly assists students by equipping them with "essential financial knowledge and skills" such as budgeting, saving, and investment. For students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group, this initiative is vital for their long-term economic stability and their immediate ability to manage their finances while at university. By linking personal finance to career opportunities, the workshop provides a clear pathway from education to economic empowerment, ensuring students are prepared to successfully complete their studies and build a secure future. This contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

#AIUB #FinancialLiteracy #CareerSkills #SDG1 #SDG4 #SDG8 #StudentSupport #NoPoverty #PersonalFinance #StudentSuccess

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/seminar-on-financial-literacy-and-career-workshop

 

 

AIUB Hosts Job Fair 2024

On December 21, 2024, AIUB hosted its annual Job Fair with 117 companies.3 This event is not just a "success" metric (1.3.2) but also a powerful programme that assists students in their final year to successfully complete their studies. The tangible prospect of securing a job before or immediately upon graduation is a powerful motivator for students, especially those from the bottom 20% of household income group. Knowing that a clear pathway to employment exists encourages them to overcome final-year hurdles and complete their degrees. The Job Fair acts as a capstone support initiative, transforming the abstract goal of "graduation" into the concrete reality of a career, thereby directly fulfilling the aims of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

#AIUB #JobFair #Career #Employment #SDG1 #SDG8 #NoPoverty #DecentWork #StudentSuccess #GraduateEmployability.

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-hosts-job-fair-2024

 

 

“Alumni Career Talks" by the Department of Economics

The "ALUMNI CAREER TALKS" session on February 20, 2024 3 serves as a vital support initiative for students from low-income families. This programme leverages the university's alumni network to provide mentorship and practical career guidance. For students from the bottom financial quintile, this access to established professionals is a crucial form of social capital. The alumni speakers provide a roadmap for successful completion by detailing the skills and networking strategies required to secure a job post-graduation. This guidance builds confidence and provides a clear line of sight to a professional future, motivating students to persevere through academic challenges. This initiative directly supports SDG 1 (NoPoverty) by building career pathways and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by enriching the student experience.

#AIUB #Alumni #Economics #CareerTalk #SDG1 #SDG4 #StudentSuccess #Mentorship #NoPoverty #QualityEducation

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/alumni-career-talks-by-the-department-of-economics

 

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