ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School vs Assafwah International School – Al Khoudh Branch
ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School and Assafwah International School – Al Khoudh Branch are both in Muscat, about 26 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes. ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School also offers Cambridge (Secondary), and Assafwah International School – Al Khoudh Branch also offers Bespoke. Published annual fees are OMR 2,300 - 5,200 at ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School and OMR 1,340 - 3,090 at Assafwah International School – Al Khoudh Branch, which puts ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School roughly 69% higher. ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and Assafwah International School – Al Khoudh Branch from 3 to 18. Typical class sizes are 23 at ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School and 21 at Assafwah International School – Al Khoudh Branch.
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
1,500
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
23
Typical class size
21
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Instruction language
English, Arabic
Opened
Opened
1990
Opened
2000
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School is located in Muscat, Oman, at Bareeq Al Shatti Mall (P.O. Box 32, P.C. 103). The campus is in central Muscat, in the Madinat Sultan Qaboos/Al Khuwair area, with easy access to major roads and local transport. The school operates as part of the ABQ Education Group and serves Cambridge and GED programmes.
Location
Al Khoudh, Seeb, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Main Office Al Khoudh, Seeb. Al Khoudh, Seeb P.O. 27, PC. 132, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The branch is located in the Al Khoudh area within Muscat.
Stages
Stages
The school serves students from 18 months to 18 years, covering Pre-KG through Grade 12. The Primary section follows the Cambridge Primary Programme, while the Secondary programme offers Cambridge- and GED-based curricula.
Stages
Kindergarten to Grade 12
School type
School type
The school is a co-educational day school. It delivers Cambridge International and GED pathways across its Cambridge-based programmes.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Learning support is provided through the dedicated Shamil learning-support department and the Discovering You programme, including booster lessons and targeted intervention. The programme focuses on individualised support in English, Arabic and mathematics and does not function as a special-education school for severe disabilities.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation is stated. ABQ operates within the Sultanate of Oman.
Country affiliation
Sultanate of Oman
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
No formal religious affiliation is stated; ABQ presents a values-led education anchored in Omani culture.
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
The school week runs Sunday to Thursday. The standard school day starts around 07:30 and ends around 14:15, with variations possible by year group or program.
School day structure
Sun-Thu: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Bus service details
Bus service details
ABQ does not publish a dedicated school-bus service on its site. Access to the area is via public transport. Nearby public bus stops serve the vicinity, and routes such as line 12 are known to operate near the school.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / Registration fees
- No non‑refundable application fee, registration fee or separate enrolment deposit is published on the school's public admissions or tuition pages.
Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) and resource fees
Per‑term amounts (school publishes annual tuition; per‑term shown below is the annual tuition divided by three, using a three‑term academic year common to ABQ schools)
- The school publishes annual tuition only; it does not publish explicit per‑term rates. The figures below are annual tuition divided by 3 (rounded to two decimals) assuming a three‑term academic year. ABQ schools operate on a three‑term calendar. - Pre‑KG: varies by chosen payment model (resource fees from OMR 5 per month). - KG1: Per term tuition OMR 750.00; per term resource fee OMR 41.67. - KG2: Per term tuition OMR 800.00; per term resource fee OMR 41.67. - Grade 1: Per term tuition OMR 1,016.67; per term resource fee OMR 41.67. - Grade 2: Per term tuition OMR 1,050.00; per term resource fee OMR 41.67. - Grade 3: Per term tuition OMR 1,100.00; per term resource fee OMR 50.00. - Grade 4: Per term tuition OMR 1,100.00; per term resource fee OMR 50.00. - Grade 5: Per term tuition OMR 1,133.33; per term resource fee OMR 58.33. - Grade 6: Per term tuition OMR 1,133.33; per term resource fee OMR 58.33. - Grade 7: Per term tuition OMR 1,200.00; per term resource fee OMR 75.00. - Grade 8: Per term tuition OMR 1,283.33; per term resource fee OMR 75.00. - Grade 9: Per term tuition OMR 1,333.33; per term resource fee OMR 75.00. - Grade 10: Per term tuition OMR 1,333.33; per term resource fee OMR 75.00. - Grade 11: Per term tuition OMR 1,650.00; per term resource fee OMR 91.67. - Grade 12: Per term tuition OMR 1,658.33; per term resource fee OMR 91.67.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The published fee schedule is for the 2025–26 academic year. School payment methods offered are: full payment in one instalment; two instalments of 50% each by post‑dated cheque (PDC); or eight monthly PDCs. The eight‑month PDC schedule and percentages are published as: 20% by 5 August, 15% by 5 September, 15% by 5 October, 10% by 5 November, 10% by 5 December, 10% by 5 January, 10% by 5 February and 10% by 5 March. Cheques should not be dated later than the 5th of the month.
Boarding fees
- No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School. The public admissions and tuition information list day‑school fees and do not show any boarding charges.
Other costs and fees
- Uniforms are not included in the tuition and are listed separately; the school points to its uniform supplier/store for purchase. - International examination fees for IGCSE and AS/A2 levels are additional charges beyond the tuition and resource fees. - Additional fees may be charged for students who require learning support. - Extended care fees apply to ABQ Explorer (pre‑KG / KG) students; these are charged separately from the tuition and resource fees.
Refund information
- No published refund, cancellation or fee‑refund policy is provided on the school's public tuition or admissions pages. Refund or withdrawal terms are not listed on those pages.
Fee payment options
- Accepted payment methods listed include online payments and debit and credit cards. Post‑dated cheques (PDCs) are used for instalment plans as described above.
Fee details
Application and registration fees - No separate application or registration fee amount is shown on the published school fees page.
Tuition fees by grade (term amounts and annual total) — amounts shown in OMR - Kindergarten 1 (KG1): installment amounts not listed. - Kindergarten 2 (KG2): installment amounts not listed. - Grade 1: First Installment (September 1): OMR 450; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 450; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 440. Annual total: OMR 1,340. - Grade 2: First Installment (September 1): OMR 480; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 480; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 480. Annual total: OMR 1,440. - Grade 3: First Installment (September 1): OMR 565; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 565; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 410. Annual total: OMR 1,540. - Grade 4: First Installment (September 1): OMR 650; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 650; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 543. Annual total: OMR 1,843. - Grade 5: First Installment (September 1): OMR 670; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 670; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 650. Annual total: OMR 1,990. - Grade 6: First Installment (September 1): OMR 720; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 720; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 700. Annual total: OMR 2,140. - Grade 7: First Installment (September 1): OMR 750; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 750; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 740. Annual total: OMR 2,240. - Grade 8: First Installment (September 1): OMR 820; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 820; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 807. Annual total: OMR 2,447. - Grade 9: First Installment (September 1): OMR 880; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 880; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 880. Annual total: OMR 2,640. - Grade 10: First Installment (September 1): OMR 1,030; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 1,030; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 1,030. Annual total: OMR 3,090. - Grade 11: First Installment (September 1): OMR 1,090; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 1,090; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 810. Annual total: OMR 2,990. - Grade 12: First Installment (September 1): OMR 1,030; Second Installment (January 1): OMR 1,030; Third Installment (April 1): OMR 1,030. Annual total: OMR 3,090.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard installment dates: First installment due September 1; Second installment due January 1; Third installment due April 1. These installment amounts are shown per grade above. - Payment options listed: full payment (due before the first semester ends) or three installments (split between semesters). - Early payment discount: a one-time discount of OMR 200 for paying all fees in cash upfront (early payment incentive as listed). - Sibling discounts: 5% off annual fees for the first sibling, 10% off for the second sibling; only one sibling discount may be applied per family.
Transportation (bus) fees - One Way Zone 1: OMR 210. - One Way Zone 2: OMR 280. - Two Way Zone 1: OMR 300. - Two Way Zone 2: OMR 400.
Other costs and extras - Books: listed as covered within the school's annual fees. - Uniforms, specific extracurricular charges, exam fees, or textbook replacement charges are not shown with specific prices on the published fees page.
Boarding fees - No boarding fees or boarding provision are listed; the school does not show boarding as an offered paid service on the published fees information.
Refund and withdrawal policy - Withdrawal policy as stated: If a student withdraws before January 15, 60% of fees are due. If a student withdraws after January 15, full fees are due. (This policy indicates the financial terms that apply on withdrawal.)
Payment methods and practical notes - The published fee information specifies available payment schedules and discounts but does not list explicit payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card) for fee settlement.
Brief note on missing items from the published fee page - Specific amounts for KG1 and KG2 installments, any separate application or registration fee, uniform costs, detailed exam or activity charges, and explicit payment method options are not provided in the published fees information.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
ABQ Azzan Bin Qais International School delivers a Cambridge International curriculum from Pre-KG to Grade 12, with Cambridge and GED Programmes offered across the school. The Early Years (ABQ Explorer) uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) taught bilingual 50:50 in English and Arabic, with four strands: Independence and Interdependence; Communicating; Inquiring; and Healthy Living and Physical Well-Being. In Primary, Cambridge Curriculum is taught, supported by MyMaths, Reading Eggs, I Read Arabic, and other programs such as Mobeen, ABT Benchmark Test, GL Progress Assessment, CAT4, and Oxford Reading Tree. For upper secondary, the school offers multiple qualification routes: Cambridge IGCSE in Grade 10 and A-Levels in Grade 12; a bilingual MoE General Certificate pathway (Maths and Science taught in English) and a monolingual Arabic MoE pathway; and a GED-based option via GEDx. ABQ is internationally accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) as of 11 June 2024.
Curriculum details
Cambridge curriculum (IGCSE, AS & A levels) and Bilingual system (Ministry of Education of Oman).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Initiate contact with the ABQ admissions team. You should reach out via the WhatsApp option on the admissions pages or call +968 24210299 to begin the registration process. The admissions team provides guidance and aims to make enrolment smooth and easy, answering questions and helping you through the next steps. You can also request a tour if you wish to visit before applying.
2. Check age and class eligibility for the 2026/27 academic year. ABQ places students into classes based on age ranges that align with specific date windows (1 July to 31 December or 1 January to 30 June). See the age table to confirm the correct class placement for Pre-KG through Grade 12. This step ensures your child qualifies for the intended year level before you proceed with enrolment.
3. Prepare and gather required documents. The Ministry of Education requires a set of documents to accompany the enrolment form, including proof of address, copies of student and parent IDs, passport pages, visa/residence pages (for non-Omani students), birth certificate, health card, and academic reports for the last two years. You will also need the MOE Portal Transfer Letter if transferring from another school, and documents may need embassy stamping for overseas applicants. Organise these items so you can submit a complete enrolment packet.
4. Submit the enrolment form and sign terms. Along with the enrolment form, you must sign the registration terms and conditions and provide the MOE portal transfer letter from the previous school if applicable. Ensure duplicates of required documents are included as listed, since the enrolment packet must be complete for processing. The school will review the submission and guide you on any missing items.
5. Address MOE stamping and embassy requirements if needed. For non-Omani students or those who studied overseas, official documents should be stamped by their Embassy and the Omani Foreign Affairs Ministry. This stamping helps validate documents for MOE processing and ensures compliance with local requirements.
6. Await admission review and response. The admissions team communicates through the established channels (including WhatsApp) and works to guide families through the next steps after submission. If additional information or documentation is needed, the team will request it to complete the enrolment. You should expect timely communication as part of the admissions process.
7. Review fee options and arrange payment as part of enrolment. ABQ offers several payment methods, including full payment at once, two 50% instalments by post-dated cheques (PDC), or eight monthly PDCs aligned to a payment schedule. The schedule sets out percentages due by the 5th of specified months (e.g., August through March). Plan your payments to align with these terms if you are proceeding with enrolment.
8. Consider additional costs and services. Note that the uniform is not included in the tuition, and extended care fees apply to ABQ Explorer students. Additional charges may apply for learning support or international examination fees (IGCSE/AS/A2). Factor these into your overall enrolment budget and plan accordingly.
9. Final enrolment steps and welcome. After you complete the enrolment steps and ensure all documents and payments are in order, you will complete the enrolment process with ABQ. The school's admissions materials emphasize a smooth and easy transition for families joining the ABQ community.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
ABQ Merit Scholarships (2026–2027) are the formal scholarship offering. ABQ is awarding 12 academic scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year across ABQ Azzan Bin Qais, ABQ Seeb, and ABQ Sohar. Scholarships are available to students in Grades 9–12 (GED, IGCSE, and A Levels) and provide a 100% waiver of tuition fees for two academic years (one-year for Grade 12 entrants). If a candidate does not meet minimum criteria, ABQ reserves the right to transfer the scholarship to a different category or not grant it. The timeline is: application period 5–29 January 2026; CAT4 assessment on 7 February 2026; panel interviews for shortlisted candidates on 15 February 2026; and announcements on 25 February 2026. Applications are submitted via the ABQ scholarship portal, including a scholarship questionnaire, grade reports, a 300–400 word passion essay, and a short video answering two of several prompts. Terms and conditions specify that scholarships are awarded by merit and that successful candidates must meet entry requirements, maintain performance, and may be required to participate in publicity. The scholarship program notes that other fees (books, cafeteria, uniform, exam fees, etc.) remain payable by recipients.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
ABQ does not publish a waitlist or pool system on its admissions pages.