The Ombudsman is an unbiased resource for helping families plan for post-secondary education including savings plans/strategies, identifying grant and scholarship resources, completing the Federal Student Aid process, understanding post-secondary admissions and financial aid packages sent to families by prospective colleges, universities and trade schools.
Scholarships and Grants
Ethel Payne Scholarship
Date: March 31, 2024
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a female currently or previously graduating senior from a DC Public or DC Public Charter High School. The applicant must be pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in journalism. Applicants are required to include a personal statement, official transcript, and letters of recommendation.
Louis Goaziou Lodge #1953 Scholarship Program
Date: March 31, 2024
Amount: $500
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a high school senior currently enrolled in a DC or Metropolitan area high school during 2023-2024 school year. The applicant must plan to attend an accredited US college or other educational program starting in the 2024-25 school year. Scholars must take and pass a quiz about Freemasonry in the history of the United States and today.
Generation Hope Scholarship
Closing Date: April 1, 2024
Amount: $2,400 per year college
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a teen parent expecting by age 19 and 25 or younger at the time of application, and actively involved in the child’s life. The scholar must plan to take or in process of taking 6 credits each semester towards an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. The scholar must attend a non-profit college by Fall 2024. The applicant must submit proof of FAFSA submission and must be a U.S. citizen, permanent U.S. resident, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, or any other status that provides in-state tuition and work eligibility.
Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation Scholarship
Closing Date: April 1, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors, community college students or 4-year university students who have been treated for pediatric cancer. Proof of treatment must be provided by treating doctor. The scholar must be enrolled full-time for Fall 2024.
DC Phi Beta Kappa Association Awards
Closing Date: April 6, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Description: Applicants must demonstrate and provide proof of a commitment to academic achievement, community involvement, and a dedication to the liberal arts and sciences. Selected recipients must provide letter of chosen college or university acceptance.
Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington DC Area Founders Scholarship
Closing Date: April 15, 2024
Amount: Up to $1,000
GPA Requirement: 2.8
Description: Applicants must be an African American, high school senior, with a permanent residence in the District of Columbia, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, or Prince George’s counties in Maryland, or Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, or Prince William counties in Virginia. The scholar must graduate from high school in 2024 and plan to study nursing full time or part time at a nationally accredited bachelor’s/ baccalaureate (BSN) or associate (AND) nursing program or an LPN program. The applicant must demonstrate a financial need. A written essay, transcripts, and 2-4 letters of recommendation, college acceptance letter, and an optional choice to provide evidence of community involvement.
Margaret Pemberton Scholarship (Black Nurses Association)
Closing Date: April 15, 2024
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: 2.8
Description: Applicants must be an African American, high school senior, with a permanent residence in the District of Columbia, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, or Prince George’s counties in Maryland, or Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, or Prince William counties in Virginia. The scholar must graduate from high school in 2024 and plan to study nursing full time or part time at a nationally accredited bachelor’s/ baccalaureate (BSN) or associate (AND) nursing program or an LPN program. The applicant must demonstrate a financial need. A written essay, transcripts, and 2-4 letters of recommendation, college acceptance letter, and an optional choice to provide evidence of community involvement.
Marjay D. Anderson Trailblazer Scholarship
Closing Date: April 15, 2024
Amount: $5,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a female graduating high school senior entering an accredited U.S. college or university full-time in Fall 2024 in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field. The applicant must be a permanent resident of the Washington DC metropolitan area. Two letters of recommendation, official transcript, essay, headshot photo, and verification letter as proof of college attendance.
ScholarCHIPS (For Children of Incarcerated Parents) Scholarship Program
Closing Date: April 15, 2024
Amount: $3,500 for tuition and $1,000 for books (per year)
GPA Requirement: 2.0
Description: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior with plans to attend or currently attending an accredited 4-year college or university, community college, technical or vocational school. The scholar must be personally affected by having an incarcerated parent(s) or an immediate family member in prison who is the applicant’s primary caregiver.
Vaping: Know the Truth Art Challenge
Closing Date: April 17, 2024
Amount: $1,125 - $5,500 for educational purposes
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be ages 13-19 and submit an original piece of artwork that illustrates healthy coping mechanisms that encourage others to quit vaping.
Ms. G’s Class Acts
Closing Date: April 20, 2024
Amount: $500
GPA Requirement: 2.0
Description: Applicants must respond to several questions within the application.
Alpha Omega Chapter Academic Achievement Scholarship
Closing Date: April 21, 2024
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior and black male. The scholar must attend a charter, independent, parochial, private, or public high school in Washington, DC The applicant must plan to enroll full time in a degree-seeking program at a college or university. Supporting documentation and official transcripts can be sent directly to the scholarship committee.
National Capital Environmental Scholarship Program
Closing Date: April 8, 2024
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior from a Washington, DC or surrounding counties metropolitan area. The applicant must plan to pursue an environmental career and provide evidence of intention to matriculate in a 4-year bachelor’s program studying environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or natural resource planning, and other approved areas of environment. The scholar must provide a transcript, SAT or ACT scores, reference letter(s), extra-curricular activities, and an essay answering predetermined questions.
United Bank/DCSAA Student-Athlete Scholarship
Closing Date: April 30, 2024
Amount: $5,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must have earned a letter in a varsity sport for at least two years, and accepted to an accredited college, university, or trade school on full-time basis.
Ivy Foundation Scholarship
Closing Date: May3, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500 (varies depending on Scholarship)
GPA Requirement: 3.0- 3.5
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior from a DC public or charter high school. Requirements vary depending on scholarship.
TMCF/Sallie Mae Fund Completing the Dream Gap Scholarship
Closing Date: June 28, 2024 (or funds are exhausted)
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 2.75
Description: Applicants must be enrolled full time or part time at an accredited post-secondary institution or continuous education program open in a new window, completing their degree or program by end of Spring 2024 or Fall 2023. The scholar must be a US citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551. The student must be a diverse candidate, demonstrate leadership abilities, and good moral character in all aspects of life. The applicant must prepare a 2-minute video answering, “How will your education benefit you, your family, and the community?”
Grants and Scholarships Open through September 2024
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) OneApp
Closing Date: September 6, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be US citizens or have an eligible non-citizenship status and attend an eligible public or private college/university.
DC Futures Program
Closing Date: September 6, 2024
Amount: Up to $8,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a DC resident; are accepted or enrolled at one of the following eligible universities: are seeking their first associate or bachelor’s degree; are majoring in a high-demand field. A list of partner universities is available on the OSSE website.
Mayor's Scholars Undergraduate Program
Opening Date: March 11, 2024
Amount: Up to $4,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a graduate of a public high school in the District of Columbia (including DCPS and public charters), or an older youth or adult learner who passed the GED or earned a diploma through the National External Diploma Program (NEDP).