Make a Gift in 3 Easy Steps
Learn More
Download our FREE guide Beneficiary Designations: Easy Ways to Leave Your Legacy.
Not everyone wants to commit to making a gift in their wills or estates. Some prefer the increased flexibility that a beneficiary designation provides by using:
- IRAs and retirement plans
- Life insurance policies
- Commercial annuities
It only takes three simple steps to make this type of gift. Here's how to name American University as a beneficiary:
- Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
- Decide what percentage (1 to 100) you would like us to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.
- Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution and share your provisions for AU via our Legacy Confirmation Form.
AU Beneficiary Designation Instructions
Putting Planning into Action

"It is all about giving back and saying thank you," says Kathleen Teso, parent of American University graduate Amy Teso, SIS/BA '89.
Read More »
In 1985, Amy was preparing to graduate from high school and begin her undergraduate studies at AU. Having been accepted early decision, Amy had planned to attend the School of International Service with the financial assistance of an exchange program made available to families of employees of AU and the University of Hartford, where Amy's father, the late William Teso, served on Hartford's engineering faculty. But Amy's hopes appeared dashed when she learned that the exchange program had been suspended. Kathleen Teso appealed to AU, sharing her daughter's passion for international studies and excitement at coming here to study, and asked for reconsideration. The response was swift, "Fair is fair," the letter read. "We hope Amy will enjoy her studies at AU."
"American University has had a lasting impact on Amy and our family," says Kathleen Teso. "My late husband and I were so proud of her accomplishments. We were delighted Amy was able to study at AU, and it is now my pleasure to include provisions in my estate plan to establish the Teso Family Scholarship."
Kathleen has named AU among the beneficiaries of her Individual Retirement Account (IRA) as she has done with the University of Hartford and her alma mater, Duke University. "Education is the key to advancement," Kathleen shares. "My means may be modest, but leaving a legacy that will benefit others is a priority."
Fund Your Donation With:
Gifts That Pay
Your payments depend on your age at the time of the donation. If you are younger than 60, we recommend that you learn more about your options and download this FREE guide Plan for Retirement With a Deferred Gift Annuity.
Not Sure How to Begin Planning?
Our comprehensive estate planning kit will save you time, protect your assets and help you establish your legacy.
Contact Us
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.