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
The Injury Scholarship
Closing Date: August 21, 2026
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be 17 years or older. The applicant must be enrolled as a high school senior or undergraduate at a U.S. college or university. The scholar must submit an essay that describes their injury.
Global Perspectives Scholarship
Closing Date: August 27, 2026
Amount: Up to $1,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a high school student planning to attend or a college/ university student currently attending. The scholar must submit a maximum 500-word essay, follow their Instagram account, agree to Rustic Pathways’ Scholarship Agreement, and submit a completed application form.
AFSA Second Chance Scholarship Contest
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident with a high school diploma. The applicant must plan to attend an accredited college, university, or trade school in the U.S. This scholarship requires an online entry form and completion of an 8-question quiz.
College is Power
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be 17 years or older and beginning or continuing a higher education program as a full-time or part-time student within the year. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Castagra Roofing Scholarship Program
Closing Date: September 4, 2026
Amount: Up to $1,500
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be an American or Canadian citizen or permanent resident, pursuing a post-secondary education in roofing or similar field. The applicant must be passionate about innovation and/or sustainability. This scholarship requires a submission of a 2–4-minute video or 500–1000-word essay detailing educational and career goal objectives and explanation of how the applicant will contribute to the roofing industry.
Be the Boss Scholarship
Closing Date: September 15, 2026
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a young woman with a business idea or a newly launched business.
The Gates Scholarship
Closing Date: September 15, 2026
Amount: Up to $300,000
GPA Requirement: 3.3
Description: Applicant must be a high school senior, Pell eligible, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and in good academic standing. The scholar must plan to enroll full-time at a U.S accredited, four-year college/university and demonstrate leadership through service, work, and/or extracurricular activities.
WWF Youth Conservation Leadership Award
Closing Date: September 18, 2026
Amount: Up to $5,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicant must be a U.S. resident and between 18-30 years old. This scholarship requires 400-word maximum responses to 7 prompts, and a submission of 3 links of evidence for prompt responses.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Closing Date: September 30, 2026, at 5pm
Amount: Up to $20,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be currently enrolled in high school/ home school and attending one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools, and will graduate high school during the 25-26 academic school year. The applicant must plan to pursue a degree at an accredited post-secondary institution. The scholar should expect to receive a high school diploma during the current academic school year.
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship
Closing Date: September 30, 2026
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must complete an online entry form and write a 140-character statement. The applicant must be a high school student, college student, or graduate student. The scholar must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and homeschooled students are eligible.
TMCF/ Eastern Area Links Finish Line Scholarship
Closing Date: December 1, 2026
Amount: Up to $1,500
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The applicant must demonstrate a financial need, attend one of the participating universities, and submit a two-minute video responding to a prompt.
TMCF/ Lowe’s Gap Scholarship
Closing Date: December 1, 2026
Amount: Up to $5,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate student at one of the participating universities, majoring in business or STEM, and be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. The applicant must demonstrate a financial need and create a two-minute video responding to a prompt.
TMCF/ Wells Fargo Gap Scholarship
Closing Date: December 1, 2026
Amount: Up to $1,000
GPA Requirement: 2.75
Description: Applicant must be a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in one of the participating universities. The applicant must be able to demonstrate a financial need and be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. This scholarship requires proof of account balance and a 2-minute video responding to a prompt.
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).