AUP: A Proud Supporter of Veterans and Their Families

The American University of Paris takes immense pride in its commitment to supporting veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Thanks to our collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), AUP is able to extend a warm welcome to these students and ensure they receive the educational opportunities they deserve.

Empowering Veterans through Education

At AUP, we recognize the incredible sacrifices made by our military service members and their families. That's why we are proud members of the Yellow Ribbon Program for Chapter 33 students (Post 9/11 GI Bill) and welcome Chapter 35 students through the VA Survivors and Dependents Education Assistance Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program provide eligible students with crucial financial assistance, covering expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and even housing. Moreover, U.S. military service members have the option to transfer their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to their children or spouses. In 2020, AUP students benefited from more tuition abatement via these VA programs than any other overseas institution accepting American applicants.

Expanding Horizons

AUP continually strives to broaden its course offering and to facilitate financing solutions so veterans and their families can have access to a diverse range of academic opportunities. With this in mind, the VA office recently approved several new programs:

• MSc in Human Rights and Data Science

• Msc in Strategic Brand Management

• MA in Diplomacy and International Law

• BA in Communication and Civil Society

• BA in Environmental Studies

• BA in Management

• BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

• BSc in Quantitative Environmental Sciences

We are happy to inform our prospective students interested in these study programs that, in addition to our existing offerings, they will now be eligible for VA support.

A Student's Journey: Meet Audrey Safi

One of our inspiring students currently benefiting from the VA educational program is Audrey Safi. Audrey, a 20-year-old Buffalo, NY native, hails from a military family of six siblings. After 3 years with the Red Cross shadowing medical staff in a military hospital, she spent a year at the University of Hawaii completing a nursing degree. It was during her time in Manoa that Audrey discovered a veritable passion for political philosophy. AUP came up in her search for institutions abroad offering these courses, and she decided to take the leap with a major in the “History, Law and Society” program.

Audrey reflects on her transition to AUP, saying, "Coming from the small island of Oahu to one of the biggest cities in the world was never the plan, but it just kind of made sense. The military really helped me adapt to this new environment. There was never a culture shock, it was a smooth transition."

She cites cheese, cycling, and the “friends for life” she has made since arriving in Paris as some of the reasons she is now hoping to move here permanently.

A Supportive Community for Veteran Students

While financial support is vital, our commitment to veterans extends beyond the monetary. AUP is home to a vibrant community of veteran students who have served in the military themselves or come from military families. You can read inspiring stories written by some of our VA alums like Ryan, Kristina, or Matthew on the AUP website.

Through our esteemed collaboration with the VA and our close-knit, inclusive community, we invite veterans students to take the first step towards realizing their academic dreams. Explore our programs, discover how AUP can help you excel in this next chapter of your life, and become part of our community.