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
APRIL/MAY SCHOLARSHIPS
TMCF/Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
Closing Date: April 24, 2026 (or funds are exhausted)
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 2.75
Description: Applicant must be currently enrolled as a high school senior and plan to enroll full time as a first-time incoming freshman. The scholar must plan to be enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution or continuous education program. The student must also be Pell grant eligible, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, able to demonstrate leadership abilities and good moral character.
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?”
Everfi Scholarship Contests for K-12 Students
Closing Date: April 30, 2026
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must live in DC for all scholarships and submit an essay for a chance to win. Each scholarship has a different mandatory financial literacy lesson.
Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund Inc.
Closing Date: April 30, 2026
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior of a Washington DC Public/ Charter High School, demonstrate a financial need, be involved in school and community activities, and enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year higher education institution. This scholarship requires two letters of recommendation, high school transcript, and a copy of FAFSA.
Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Scholarships
Closing Date: May 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: Varies
Description: Applicants must be in pursuit of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. This scholarship requires submission of a resume, FAFSA confirmation, transcript, three letters of recommendation, and an essay.
Trotter Project Scholarships
Closing Date: May 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a high school senior, incoming or current college student, attending an accredited college/ university in the U.S., and complete the full online application. This scholarship requires submission of a resume, transcript, letter of recommendation, demonstrate financial need, and a three-minute maximum video.
Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) Scholarships
Closing Date: May 17, 2026
Amount: Up to $10,000
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must a Jewish resident of Montgomery County, MD, Fairfax County, VA or Washington, D.C., and a U.S. citizen. The applicant must submit one application for the various scholarships available.
DC Batter Up! Koczela Scholarship
Closing Date: May 18, 2026
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must be a high school senior who will enroll as a first-year student at an accredited two year or four-year college in the fall. The applicant must be a member of a varsity baseball or softball team during the spring season of the student’s senior year at a District of Columbia high school. The applicant must be a resident of the District of Columbia and requires financial aid to attend college or university. This scholarship requires a transcript, proof of financial aid, and a copy of the acceptance letter.
Miss Utility of Maryland/ D.C. Scholarship Program
Closing Date: May 22, 2026
Amount: $1,008.11
GPA Requirement: n/a
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior from a Maryland or Washington D.C. high school in spring 2026. The applicant must enroll in an accredited two year or four-year college, university or technical school in the fall 2026 semester.
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).