Does American University or Georgetown University offer more merit aid for undergraduates?

American University is much more likely than Georgetown University to offer meaningful merit aid to undergraduates. American regularly uses merit scholarships to attract applicants, while Georgetown is known for giving very little merit aid and focusing far more on need-based financial assistance.

For a student trying to make a school realistic financially based on merit alone, American is the one to take more seriously.

Georgetown does have a small number of merit scholarships, but they are limited and not something most applicants should count on. In practice, Georgetown’s aid model is centered on meeting demonstrated financial need rather than awarding lots of non-need-based scholarships to entice high-achieving students.

That means the better fit depends on what kind of financial picture you have. If your family is unlikely to qualify for much need-based aid and you are hoping academic stats might bring down the price, American is the more realistic place to expect merit money. If your family may qualify for substantial need-based aid, Georgetown can still end up affordable, but that affordability usually comes from need-based grants, not merit awards.