Scholarships
The word "scholarship" covers a wide range of sources of money for students to use toward college and career school expenses. Scholarships can be:
Outside: a scholarship offered by an organization for general educational use by the recipient
School-specific: a scholarship offered by a specific college
Need-based: a scholarship given based on the student's financial circumstances
Merit-based: a scholarship given based on the student's achievements in academics, athletics, or another talent
DCPS Dollars4College Newsletter
Subscribe to the DCPS Dollars4College Newsletter, published by the DCPS College Prep Team, for information on local and national scholarships. This page also has links to archived newsletter issues and other scholarship information.
DC-CAP College Scholarship Guidebook
The DC-CAP Scholarship Guidebook provides students in DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter schools with a reference for finding scholarships by their academic achievement level. The pdf (filename "DC-CAP Scholarship Guidebook") is available here.
Scholarship Websites
These websites allow you to search for scholarships based on your year of graduation, intended college major, and other criteria. Some allow you to sign up for email scholarship newsletters.
- studentscholarships.org
- bold.org
- unigo.com
- cappex.com
- Scholaroo.com. Filter by major, grade level, ethnicity, and/or location.
Scholarship Brainstorming Questions
Research scholarships to apply to through the answers to questions like these: Where do you/your family members work? What are your favorite stores and products to buy? What major am I interested in? What is your heritage/ethnicity?
DCTAG, DC Futures, and Mayor's Scholars: Three Scholarship Programs for DC Residents
Download this pdf with information and clickable links for these three programs. You may be eligible to receive all three; awards will depend on criteria including your family income; your choice of college or university; your college's cost of attendance; your high school; and your college major.
DCTAG
The District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) provides up to $10,000 per year of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for students who attend public colleges and universities in the U.S. It also allows $2,500 for private historically black colleges and universities nationwide; private colleges in the Washington, DC metropolitan area; and two-year public colleges outside Washington, DC.
More DCTAG information on the Jackson-Reed website is here.
OSSE's DCTAG website: https://osse.dc.gov/dctag
DC Futures Program
DC Futures aims to help DC college-bound students complete their first associate or bachelor’s degree by providing a last-dollar scholarship (tuition, fees, and cost of attendance) at three local universities:
- Catholic University of America
- Trinity Washington University
- University of the District of Columbia, both the flagship four-year university and community college
To learn more about DC Futures, its eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit this link.
Mayor’s Scholars
The Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program provides need-based funding for eligible DC residents earning their first associate or first bachelor’s degree at select area colleges and universities. The program is a last-dollar award meaning it can be used to fill the gap between a student’s financial aid package and the cost of attendance. The FAFSA Student Aid Report is not required to apply for this program. More information is here: https://osse.dc.gov/mayorsscholars
Mayor's Scholars and DC Futures Application
OSSE has consolidated the application this year so that students apply to DC Futures and Mayor’s Scholars via the same portal.
OSSE Scholars Summer Enrichment Program
Part 1 due: Early November
Financial Aid Resources and Scholarships for Undocumented Students
DCPS Goes to College: https://dcpsgoestocollege.org/resources-toolkits/financial-aid-resources-for-undocumented-students/
Esperanza Education Fund
Application opens January 2024, closes April 2024
The Esperanza Education Fund provides scholarships to students from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC who are immigrants or the children of immigrants. https://www.esperanzafund.org/scholarship-program
TheDream.US
TheDream.US believes that nothing should stand in the way of a college education: not the cost, immigrant status, or lack of financial aid. Learn about their scholarships and partner colleges on their website https://www.thedream.us/. Their DC-area partner schools are Trinity Washington University (all-female) and Marymount University in Arlington, VA.
Scholarships for SY 2023-24
The Gates Scholarship
Application deadline: September 15, 2023
The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship aimed at supporting minority students who want to further their education. This scholarship is for students from low-income households who require financial assistance, therefore to be eligible to apply you also need to be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, granted to undergraduate students pursuing their first degree and who display financial need.
For more information, see https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/
Questbridge National College Match
Application deadline: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Through Questbridge’s National College Match, students from low-income backgrounds can receive full four-year scholarships to some of the best schools in the nation so they can reach their full potential without worrying about the cost. See eligibility requirements, go to
https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match
Milken Scholars
Nomination period opens in October
Milken Scholars receive financial assistance during their undergraduate careers, along with access to support and networking resources.
Eligibility criteria: Minimum unweighted grade point average of 3.6 in all academic high school subject areas; active participation in community service activities; a record of leadership; financial or other obstacles; admission to a four-year college or university prior to final selection; and U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or DACA recipient.
For more information, see http://www.milkenscholars.org/our-program/
DC-CAP (DC College Access Program) General Scholarship and University Partners Scholarship
See more information on the DC-CAP website: https://dccap.org/
Link to application: https://dccap.smapply.io/
Scholarships for SY 2022-23
- KPMG Scholarship for Female Seniors
Application deadline: February 1, 2023
The KPMG Future Leaders program annually awards 22 deserving high school female seniors a scholarship of $10,000 per year for four years of college; a leadership development retreat and ongoing KPMG support; and a pairing with an executive woman mentor for one-year. The application deadline is February 1, 2023. An independent selection committee will select and notify the 22 recipients by April 14, 2023. Since the program’s inception in 2016, KMPG has awarded nearly $4.5M in scholarships to 144 KPMG Future Leaders.
Application link: https://kpmgfutureleadersapplication.wufoo.com/forms/slk8tyc19hye3s/
Learn more here: https://womensleadership.kpmg.us/charitable/turn-around-commercial-launch-2020.html - 2nd Annual Dr. E.B. Henderson Essay Contest, hosted by Washington Wizards
Deadline: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
For the second consecutive year, the Washington Wizards partners with the Greater Washington Urban League to host an essay contest for high school students. The contest will honor Dr. Edwin Bancroft (E.B) Henderson, a sports historian, educator, administrator, coach, athlete, and civil rights activist known as the "Grandfather of Black Basketball" in Washington, DC. Open to all DMV-area high school seniors, the three winners will win a monetary scholarship going towards their continued education route or college of their choice. Grand prize: $3,000. Second place: $2,000. Third place: $1,000. Learn more and submit your essay here: https://www.nba.com/wizards/essaycontest - 2023 Economic Club Scholarship
Deadline: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Graduating 2023 seniors who have applied/are applying to attend a degree-granting program at an accredited college or university in the U.S. are welcome to apply. Eligibility requirements: citizens of the U.S./lawful permanent residents (FAFSA eligible); 2.5 minimum GPA; completed FAFSA. The award amount is $20,000 over four years. Apply here: https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarships/DavidRubenstein2023 - Brittain Scholarship – Emory University
Deadline: January 1, 2023
Description: The Brittain Scholarship will be awarded to one graduating D.C. student to attend Emory University on a full, four-year scholarship. Eligible applicants must be graduating from a DCPS or D.C. public character high school, a resident of Washington D.C., have a family income of approximately $75,000 or less with demonstrated financial need, and be admitted as a full-time, 2023-24 student to one of Emory’s campuses. Brittain Scholars are also offered an optional, paid internship at CityBridge Education every summer preceding a semester at Emory with a minimum $3,000 stipend. - D.C. Scholars Program – Johns Hopkins University
Deadline: January 3, 2023
The D.C. Scholars Program at Johns Hopkins University recognizes high-achieving D.C. public school, and public charter school, graduates from families that earn up to $150,000. Students must apply for admission to JHU to be considered. Eligible students with family incomes of $80,000 or less receive full cost-of-attendance scholarships. Students with family incomes between $80,000 and $150,000 have a family contribution capped at 10% of family income. Eligible applicants must be D.C. residents who attended a D.C. public or public charter school for at least 10th, 11th, and 12th grades and submit all required financial aid documents by the deadline. - Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarship – George Washington University
Deadline: January 5, 2023 (counselor recommendation due January 11)
Description: The George Washington University’s Stephen Joel Trachtenberg (SJT) Scholarship program provides academically talented D.C. high school seniors with a full, four-year scholarship covering tuition, room and board, books and fees at the university. Students must apply for admission to GW by the Regular Decision deadline on January 5 and be nominated by their high school counselor by January 11. Eligible applicants must be DC residents attending a regionally accredited secondary school in DC who apply for financial aid by the deadline. - American University District Scholars Award
Deadline: January 15, 2023
The American University District Scholars Award is an opportunity for students who are DC residents attending a DC public or public charter high school. AU District Scholars will receive full tuition as well as room and board to attend AU. Eligible students will be considered for additional funds to meet full demonstrated financial need. To be eligible, applicants must apply for admission to AU by January 15, submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by January 15, and demonstrate strong academic talent in high school. - JLW Meg Graham Scholarship
Deadline: March 2, 2023
The scholarship is available to graduating seniors who are DC residents attending a DC public, private, parochial or charter school and matriculating to an accredited four-year college or university in the fall of 2023. The scholarship rewards a student who has demonstrated outstanding voluntarism with funds for college education expenses. Amount: $10,000. GPA Requirement: 3.0. - DC Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood Educational Recognition Award
Application deadlines: February 22, 2023, February 24, 2023
The DC Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood is offering an Educational Recognition Award to a deserving senior high school woman who wants to further her education. All applications sent via the mail, whether USPS or other method, must be postmarked by February 22, 2023. The application can also be emailed by 11:50 pm on February 24, 2023 to be considered. See the pdf below (filename "2023PEOSisterhoodERAApplication") for more information and the application form. - 2023 KPMG Future Leaders Program
Application deadline: February 1, 2023
The KPMG Future Leaders Program annually awards twenty-two top female high school seniors with significant financial need, the opportunity to accelerate their personal growth through college scholarships, leadership development, mentorship, and an introduction to golf. For more information and to apply, visit: https://kpmgfutureleadersapplication.wufoo.com/forms/slk8tyc19hye3s/ - Leslie A. Ebert Legacy of Life Scholarship
Deadline: April 14, 2023
Write a persuasive essay and/or produce a video that educates, then motivates, an audience to become registered organ, eye, and tissue donors. For more information, visit https://www.beadonor.org/scholarship/