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
District Scholars Award- American University
Date: January 15, 2025
Amount: Full tuition, room, and board
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a D.C. resident who has attended a DC public or public charter school. The applicant must have applied for American University admission, demonstrate a strong academic talent, and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and CSS Profile by the deadline date.
APIA Scholarship
Date: January 15, 2025
Amount: Up to $20,000
GPA Requirement: 2.7
Description: Scholarship is open to Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) undergraduate students attending an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicant must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States, a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, or a citizen of the Republic of Palau.
HBCU Council Scholarship
Date: January 19, 2025
Amount: Up to $4,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: The scholarship is open to D.C., Maryland, or Northern Virginia residents. The applicant must be a member of a church or community-based organization, complete a 40-hour community service project, and submit two recommendation letters with official transcripts.
Fidelity Scholars
Date: January 30, 2025
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 2.5- 3.59
Description: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national or permanent resident. The applicant must be a high school senior, planning to attend a 4year university, and a resident in the District of Columbia or the other acceptable states.
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
Date: January 31, 2025
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: Varies
Description: Applicants must be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, currently receiving medical treatment, and actively involved in rehabilitative or reintegration efforts. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and planning to attend a school in the United States. A minimum age of 18 years by the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic school year is required. An essay, 3 references, volunteer or vocational experience, and a complete application including the Personal Consent and Release Form.
Career Fitter Online Scholarship
Date: January 31, 2025
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 2.4
Description: Applicants must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited U.S. college or university. The applicant must submit a 700-character maximum essay, a questionnaire, and are encouraged to complete the CareerFitter’s career test.
Economic Club Scholarship
Date: January 31, 2025
Amount: $20,000 (over four years)
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S. The applicant must be a graduating high school senior in June from a DC public school or DC public charter school, and plan to enroll in college for the fall semester. Transcripts, extracurricular activities, community service, and proof of FAFSA submission are required documents.
I Have a Dream Scholarship
Date: January 31, 2025
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be at least 14 years of age or older at the time of application. Must be a legal U.S. resident.
Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship
Date: January 31, 2025
Amount: Up to $5,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be pursuing an education in piano or voice. A recording of the applicant’s musical performance is required.
Generation Hope Scholarship
Date: February 1, 2025
Amount: $1,200 per year for 2 yr college/ $2,400 per year for 4 yr college
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a teen parent or expecting a child by the age of 19, and younger than 25 at the time of application. The applicant must be currently attending or planning to attend college in fall 2025 within the D.C. Metropolitan area. U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residents, status as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), or any other immigration status is required. Required documentation include transcripts, proof of FAFSA submission, and proof of identity.
National Capital Area Garden Clubs Scholarships
Date: February 1, 2025
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must have a permanent address within Washington D.C.; Montgomery County, MD; Prince George’s County, MD; Arlington, VA; Fairfax, VA; and Prince William County, VA. The applicant must be a full-time student majoring in one of the following at an accredited college or university: horticulture, botany, conservation, biology, city planning, floriculture, landscape design, plant pathology, environmental concerns, forestry, agronomy, agriculture, wildlife, ecology, land management or related subjects. The application requires a complete application form, NCAGC financial aid form, 3 letters of recommendations, and an official transcript.
FCBA College Scholarship Program
Date: February 14, 2025
Amount: Up to $20,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must high school graduating seniors from a DC public school. This scholarship is need and merit based, and the student must plan to enroll in college during fall semester. Required documents include a transcript, short essays, letters of recommendation, and proof of financial need.
CLOC Scholarship
Date: February 15, 2025
Amount: $6,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be a current or entering student in an accredited graduate program in the United States; Applicant must have a business/metrics-driven focus as it relates to the practice of law or have demonstrated an interest in legal operations.
Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarship
Date: February 15, 2025
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be a graduating senior, planning to enroll in a full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited two or four-year college or university. The applicant must self-identify as LGBTQ and must reside in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (Arlington County, VA; Calvert County, MD; District of Columbia, City of Alexandria, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Loudoun County, VA; Montgomery County, MD; Prince George’s County, MD; Prince William County, VA; St. Mary’s County, MD; Charles County, MD; and Anne Arundel County, MD). The scholar must actively participate in interscholastic athletics or competitive sports. Required documents include a personal essay, two letters of recommendation, official transcript, and proof of financial need is not required but highly recommended.
Rehabs.org Scholarship
Date: February 26, 2025
Amount: Up to $2,250
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a legal United States resident; minority students must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university. Required documents include a 500–700-word essay.
AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities
Date: February 28, 2025
Amount: $6,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or hold a permanent resident status. The applicant must be entering their freshman year in fall 2025, and plan to pursue a career in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences except marine biology. This scholarship requires a high school transcript, profile, and one letter of recommendation.
Hazel and Mark Masterson Scholarship
Date: February 28, 2025
Amount: $3,500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior from Roosevelt High School, planning to attend a four-year college or university in fall 2025, and a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This scholarship requires a short essay.
Junior League of Washington- Meg Graham Scholarship
Date: February 28, 2025
Amount: $10,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a high school senior at public, public charter, private, or parochial high school in D.C., planning to attend a four-year college in the fall, and resides in D.C. Required documents include a transcript, volunteer service hours, acceptance letter, two letters of recommendation, and two 250-word essays.
Grants and Scholarships Open February 3 through August 2025
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) OneApp
Closing Date: August 15, 2025 @3pm
Amount: Up to $2,500 private/ HBCU or $10,000 public
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 15, 2025 @3pm
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).