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
MARCH/ APRIL SCHOLARSHIPS
National Federation of the Blind Scholarship
Date: March 31, 2026
Amount: Up to $11,000
GPA Requirement: varies
Description: Applicants must be legally blind in both eyes. The applicant must reside n the United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and must be 18 years of age. The scholar must be pursing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall semester. Application requires an online application form, essay of 700 words or less, and at least one letter of recommendation.
Samuel L. Chappell Family UMDC Scholarship
Date: March 31, 2026
Amount: Up to $50,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a student attending the University of Michigan for the upcoming academic year, demonstrate a financial need, and complete the FAFSA and CSS form.
Superpower Scholarship
Date: March 31, 2026
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: varies
Description: Applicant must be a legal U.S. resident, residing in one of the fifty United States or District of Columbia. The applicant must be 14 years or older and an account for unigo must be created. This scholarship requires a 250-word or less question response and an application form.
Abramson Scholarship
Date: April 1, 2026
Amount: $14,000 over four years
GPA Requirement: 3.25
Description: Applicant must be a D.C. resident, graduating from a DC public or DC public charter high school. The applicant must plan to attend an accredited four-year U.S. college. Scholars must demonstrate commitment to their community, an economic need, and if selected, must maintain active participation in ASF programming and mentorship.
Generation HOPE Scholarship
Date: April 1, 2026
Amount: $1,200/yr (2-year college) or $2,400/yr (4-year college)
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must be a teen parent (pregnant or expecting by age 19) and younger than 25. The applicant must be raising or actively involved in their child’s life. Must be attending or planning to attend a 2 or 4-year college and enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program during fall semester. The minimum number of credits taken is 6 and must be living within 50 miles of Washington, D.C.
Alpha Omega Chapter Academic Achievement Scholarship
Date: April 7, 2026
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a male senior, graduating from a D.C. high school, and intending to enroll full time in a degree seeking program at a college or university.
Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship 2026
Date: April 8, 2026
Amount: $10,000
GPA Requirement: varies
Description: Applicants must be actively pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or a closely related STEM field, with a focus on cybersecurity topics. An essay and further documentation are required prior to the deadline.
FWQA’s National Capital Environmental Scholarship
Date: April 13, 2026
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a graduating high school senior in the metropolitan area, planning to pursue environmental careers, and planning to enroll in a 4 year bachelor’s program studying environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, biology, chemistry engineering, or natural resource planning.
Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, DC Area Founders Scholarship
Date: April 15, 2026
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 2.8
Description: Applicants must be a resident of DC or adjacent Maryland or Virginia counties, an African American high school senior, and enrolled in an accredited program under nursing scope. This scholarship requires a written 300-word or less essay, 2-4 letters of recommendations, transcripts, and copy of acceptance letter.
Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, DC Area Margaret Pemberton Scholarship
Date: April 15, 2026
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 2.8
Description: Applicants must be a resident of DC or adjacent Maryland or Virginia counties, an African American high school senior, and enrolled in an accredited program under nursing scope. This scholarship requires a written 300-word or less essay, 2-4 letters of recommendations, copy of acceptance letter, transcripts, and proof of activities, achievements, volunteer service, and other honors.
Dunkin’ Baltimore/ Metro DC Regional Scholarship
Date: April 15, 2026
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a high school or current undergraduate student who plan to enroll in part-time or full-time status at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school.
Frame My Future Scholarship Contest
Date: April 15, 2026
Amount: Up to $5,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must intend to enroll as a full-time student at a U.S. college or university. The applicant must be a legal resident of the fifty states and District of Columbia only. Scholarships will be granted based on creativity of the full entry, including the image and accompanying description.
TMCF/Sallie Mae Fund Completing the Dream Gap Scholarship
Closing Date: April 25, 2026, (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 U.S. 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 until August 2026
District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) One App
Closing Date: August 21, 2026, at 3pm
Amount: Up to $15,000 (lifetime cap of $75,000)
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.
Mayor's Scholars Undergraduate Program
Opening Date: August 21, 2026, at 3pm
Amount: Up to $4,000
GPA Requirement: 2.0 (for returning applicants only)
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).