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
South East Regional Scholarship Program (Perfect Plants)
Closing Date: August 20, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be enrolled on full time or part time as an incoming freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at a community college or university. The student must be pursuing a career in the horticultural industry. The application requires a 500-word minimum essay, transcript, and two letters of recommendation.
Personal Injury Scholarship
Closing Date: August 23, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a recent high school graduate or a current student at an accredited college/university in the U.S. The applicant must have suffered a serious injury and is required to submit an essay.
Global Perspectives Scholarship
Deadline: August 25, 2024
Amount: Up to $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a high school or college student attending an accredited college or university in 2024. The applicant must submit an online application and an essay.
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program
Opening Date: August 22, 2024
Closing Date: November 14, 2024
Amount: Up to $55,000
GPA Requirement: 3.75
Description: Applicants must have attended a high school in the U.S., a U.S. territory, or a U.S. military base with a plan to graduate in spring 2025. The applicant must intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college in Fall 2025. The student must demonstrate a financial need with a family annual gross income up to $95,000.
UNCF National Nissan Scholars
Closing Date: August 27, 2024
Amount: $10,000 ($2,500 per year)
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be an undergraduate college freshman enrolled at any UNCF-affiliated institution or any Historically Black College University (HBCU) in Fall 2024. The student must be pursuing a degree in engineering, business, marketing, information technology, and/or finance. The application requires a letter of recommendation, one-page personal statement, and a transcript.
Castagra Roofing Scholarship
Deadline: August 30, 2024
Amount: Up to $1,500
GPA Requirement: Varies
Description: Applicants must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The applicant must pursue a career in roofing and be passionate about innovation or sustainability.
The Musicians Foundation Scholarship Program
Closing Date: August 30, 2024
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: varies
Description: Applicants must apply for their specific instrument or talent. The scholarship is designed for talented and/or financially challenged students at Musicians Institute.
Beauty Changes Lives Scholarships
Deadline: August 31, 2024
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must pursue careers in cosmetology and esthetics. Eligibility criteria, application requirements, and award amounts vary by scholarship.
College Is Power Scholarship
Deadline: August 31, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be 17 years or older and beginning or continuing a higher education program as a full-time or part-time students withing the year. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Leaders Saves Lives Scholarship
Deadline: August 31, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must currently be a high school or college student in the U.S. The applicant must host an American Red Cross blood drive while school is out of session for the opportunity to win one of eight summer scholarships. This scholarship is available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
MoolahSPOT Scholarship
Deadline: August 31, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be 16 years of age or older, and planning or currently attending college. The applicant must submit an essay.
RealtyHop Scholarship
Closing Date: August 31, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be graduating high school senior in the U.S. or a current undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s or associate degree. The application requires a 500-word essay, proof of college acceptance or enrollment, and the use of school email address.
RentHop Scholarship
Closing Date: August 31, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or a current undergraduate student pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. The application requires a 500-word essay, proof of college acceptance or enrollment, and the use of school email address.
American Board of Funeral Service Education- National Scholarship Program
Closing Date: September 1, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must have completed at least one semester of study in a funeral service program or mortuary science education accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. The applicant must have at least one term or semester remaining in their program which will commence after the award date to be considered for full award amount. Applicants with less than a full term of study remaining will be considered for partial awards. The applicant must be a US. Citizen, U.S. permanent resident, international student (F1-Visa holder), or a student in the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
American Board of Funeral Service Education- Post Graduate Scholarship Program
Closing Date: September 1, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be actively employed as a faculty member of a program in funeral service or mortuary science education accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and seeking an advanced degree to maintain employment, and have at least one semester of graduate study at a regionally accredited institution with a transcript as evidence. The applicant must provide a complete application, resume, letter of recommendation, and letter indicating how grad studies will contribute to funeral service education and/ or the ABFSE program.
Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship
Closing Date: September 3, 2024
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be currently enrolled or planning to enroll part time or full time in an eligible program related to the beauty and wellness field. The application requires a maximum of 3-minute video submission.
Lewis Latimer Scholarship
Closing Date: September 5, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: 2.75
Description: Applicants must be an incoming or current undergraduate student pursuing a STEAM field related degree at any four-year college or university during the 2024-2025 school year. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. This application requires an essay and a transcript.
Home Depot Scholarship Program
Closing Date: September 9, 2024
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be an enrolled as a full-time student during the 2024-2025 school year at an Historically Black College/University.
Be The Boss Scholarship
Closing Date: September 15, 2024
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a female high school or college student who wants to start their own business. The application requires brief responses and a business plan.
Catching The Dream Scholarship
Closing Date: September 15, 2024
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be ¼ or more degree American Indian, and an enrolled member of a U.S. tribe. The student must attend a U.S. accredited college or university on a full-time basis, seeking a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The Gates Scholarship
Closing Date: September 15, 2024
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 3.3
Description: Applicants must be a high school senior, identify as African American, American Indian/Alaska native, Asian and Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. The applicant must be Pell-eligible, and a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. The student must plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at a U.S. accredited, not for profit, private, or public college or university. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate an outstanding academic record in high school, demonstrate leadership ability, and demonstrate exceptional personal success skills.
UNCF Chevron Corporate Scholars
Closing Date: September 16, 2024
Amount: Up to $15,000 ($7,500/year for two years)
GPA Requirement: 2.8
Description: Applicants must be enrolled as a freshman at any accredited, four-year HBCU during the Fall 2024 semester. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who demonstrates academic achievement, strong leadership skills, and majoring in specific majors.
Future Mentors Scholarship
Closing Date: September 30, 2024
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be incoming, a current full-time undergraduate, or a graduate student at an accredited college/university.
Return 2 College Scholarship
Closing Date: September 30, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and 17 years of age or older. The applicant must be currently or within the next 12 months start a higher education program as a part-time or full-time student.
Coca Cola Scholars Foundation
Deadline: September 30, 2024
Amount: Up to $20,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be enrolled and attending high school/ home-school in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, refugee, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or humanitarian parolee. The scholar must plan to pursue a degree at a U.S. post-secondary institution.
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).