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
DC Batter Up! Scholarship
Closing Date: May 20, 2023
Amount: Up to $25,000 ($5,000 per year)
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a D.C. high school senior who will enroll as first-year students at an accredited two-year or four-year college in Fall 2023. The applicant must be a D.C. resident with financial need, and a member of a Varsity baseball or softball team during the spring season of their senior year.
Barbara G. Laurie Architectural Scholarship
Closing Date: May 22, 2023
Amount: Up to $25,000 ($5,000 per year)
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must a D.C. residents and a senior graduating from a public, charter, or private school in D.C. or current technical school/community college student who have completed high school and will transfer to an architecture program. The applicant must be entering a degree program at a school of architecture in Fall 2023.
Miss Utility of Maryland/ D.C. Scholarship
Closing Date: May 26, 2023
Amount: Up to $1,008.11
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must a graduating high school senior in Maryland or Washington D.C. planning to go to college. The applicant must be on-track to graduate in spring 2023 and intend to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or technical school beginning in fall 2023.
The Andrew D. Washington Scholarship
Closing Date: May 26, 2023
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a dependent of an AFSCME District Council 20 member, a graduating high school senior, and enrolled in a Historically Black College or University. Applicant must have 25 hours of certified community service within the last year.
The CodeHouse Scholars Initiative (CHSI)
Closing Date: May 26, 2023
Amount: up to $20,000
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Description: Applicants must be an enrolled and matriculating 2023 graduating senior, and identify as Black/African American, Latinx, or Native American. Applicant must be enrolled for the first time at Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Morehouse College, North Carolina A&T State University, or Spelman College. There must be a demonstrated financial and unmet financial need as measured by the student’s college or university. The applicant must show evidence of readiness for and commitment to pursue a major in a tech-related field, including computer science/engineering, information sciences, engineering, mathematics, human-computer interaction, graphic or UX/UI design. The student must show evidence of academic ambition, leadership, service, and interest in the technology field.
The James Ivey Scholarship
Closing Date: May 26, 2023
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 2.0
Description: Applicants must be a dependent of an AFSCME District Council 20 member. Students must be a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled as a full-time college student at a four-year or two-year institution.
Paula E. Waters Diamond in the Rough Scholarship
Closing Date: May 30, 2023
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must African American male graduating from a high school within the D.C. metropolitan area. The applicant must plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or an approved trade-related program at a vocational school, technical school, or other approved technical institute in the United States.
AIAS Foundation Scholarship
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 3.3
Description: Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college or university during the 2023-2024 academic school year. Applicant must plan to pursue a career in any aspect of game development.
American Indian College Fund
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 2.0
Description: Applicants must be an enrolled member or descendant of enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, and maintaining full-time enrollment.
Black Student Success Scholarship
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: 2.75
Description: This scholarship is intended for two recipients: a high school senior who plans to enter college or a trade school in Fall 2023, and a current undergraduate or trade school student who expects to graduate in Fall 2023 or later.
College Is Power
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be 17 years of age or older and currently enrolled or plan to begin a higher education program within the next 12 months. The applicant may be full-time or part-time, attend a campus-based or online program, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent residents of the United States.
Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: up to $8,000 ($2,00 per year)
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be a graduating senior in Washington D.C. from a public high school or public charter high school. The applicant must have demonstrated a financial need and completed the FAFSA. Applicants must be involved in school and community activities and be accepted by and enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year institution of higher learning for the fall 2023 semester.
AIAS Foundation Scholarship
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 3.3
Description: Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college or university during the 2023-2024 academic school year. Applicant must plan to pursue a career in any aspect of game development.
American Indian College Fund
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: varies
GPA Requirement: 2.0
Description: Applicants must be an enrolled member or descendant of enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, and maintaining full-time enrollment.
Black Student Success Scholarship
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: 2.75
Description: This scholarship is intended for two recipients: a high school senior who plans to enter college or a trade school in Fall 2023, and a current undergraduate or trade school student who expects to graduate in Fall 2023 or later.
Harvard University MBA Scholarship
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: 75% of tuition fees
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must have an excellent academic background and admissions offer from Harvard MBA program. All applicants are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to candidates of Lebanese descent.
#LiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship
Closing Date: May 31, 2023
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicant must be an Asian and/or Pacific Islander who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or pursuing a major in fashion or graphic design. The applicant must be either a graduating high school senior or college student currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. vocational, junior college, or 4-year college/university and be a full-time degree seeking student for the 2023-24 academic school year.
Herb Block Scholarship
Closing Date: June 1, 2023
Amount: up to $16,000 ($8,000 per year)
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be U.S citizens/nationals, permanent resident aliens, granted DACA, or qualify for in-state tuition under the Maryland Dream Act or Virginia Dream Act. The applicant must be a primary resident in Washington D.C, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, Arlington County, or Fairfax County. Applicant must be attending, plan to attend, on a full time or part time basis but have not earned more than 40 credits from Montgomery College, Northern Virginia Community College, Prince George’s Community College, or University of DC Community College.
Actuarial Diversity Scholarship
Closing Date: June 1, 2023
Amount: up to $4,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must have at least one birth parent who is a member of the Black/African American, Latinx, Native North American, or Pacific Islander community. The applicant must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at a U.S. accredited educational institution and intends on pursuing a career in the actuarial profession. Entering college freshmen must have a minimum ACT math score of 28 or SAT score of 620.
Digital Marketing Scholarship
Closing Date: June 1, 2023
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be high school seniors or current undergraduate students who are majoring business, tech, marketing, or communications. The applicant must plan to take at least 10 credit hours during the Fall 2023 semester.
GrassRoots Turf Scholarship
Closing Date: June 1, 2023
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution. The applicant must submit two to three unique advertising methods to attract aspiring entrepreneurs for investments into the sponsor’s franchise opportunity, GrassRoots Turf Franchise.
Terry Bryant Scholarship
Closing Date: June 1, 2023
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must submit an innovative solution to pressing concerns within their community in the areas of distracted driving, underage drinking, and distracted driving. The applicant may be a current high senior.
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
Closing Date: June 2, 2023
Amount: $4,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be graduating high school senior or current college students who plan to attend a college or university in the United States in fall 2023. The applicant must identify as lesbian and submissions are judged on academic achievement, community service and leadership, and commitment to impacting LGBTQ issues.
Kaiser Permanente Health Equity Scholarship Program
Closing Date: June 14, 2023
Amount: up to $5,000
GPA Requirement: 2.5
Description: Applicants must be graduating high school senior who plans to enroll full time at a U.S. located four-year accredited, not-for-profit community college for the fall 2023 semester. Applicants must complete the FAFSA, have demonstrated unmet financial need, and be interested in pursuing either a clinical career path or a non-clinical career path in the healthcare industry.
ExtremeTerrain Student Scholarship
Closing Date: June 15, 2023
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be high school seniors and current college/university students pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies, Ecology, Land Use, Earth and Atmosphere Sciences, Sustainable Land Management, Environmental Biology, or Sustainable Agriculture Systems.
Financial Education PSA Scholarship
Closing Date: June 15, 2023
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate students who will be enrolled at an accredited college or university within the United States for fall 2023. The applicant must submit a maximum of 500-word PSA on a financial literacy topic of their choice.
Horatio Alger Career and Technical Scholarship
Closing Date: June 15, 2023
Amount: up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must have completed high school by July 1 and are enrolled in an associate’s degree, certification, or diploma program by September that will lead to employment. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, under 35 years of age, demonstrate critical financial need, and attend a not-for-profit post-secondary institution with the U.S.
Isenberg Alcohol Addiction Awareness Scholarship
Closing Date: June 15, 2023
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or college/university student who have been formally accepted to any accredited U.S. community college or undergraduate degree program. The applicant must possess a history of raising alcohol addiction awareness, as demonstrated by volunteer, educational, or professional experiences. Scholars must be in good academic standing.
Laborde Earles Cancer Scholarship
Closing Date: June 15, 2023
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be admitted to or currently attending a college or university. The applicant must plan to study medicine, public health, toxicology, or another related field. The student is required to write a policy brief to their Congressperson or local politician detailing the gaps in current policy and why increased regulations will be good for public health.
Boom and Bucket’s Student Scholarship Program
Closing Date: June 15, 2023
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Scholarship is open to currently enrolled students and future students who are planning to attend a heavy machinery-themed program within the next 12 months. The program can be at a college or trade school anywhere in the United States or Canada. Applicant must submit a 500+ word essay or record a two-minute video on the heavy equipment space.
Foundation for Out of Home Advertising Research and Education Scholarships
Closing Date: June 16, 2023
Amount: $5,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior `accepted to an undergraduate program or currently enrolled college student. Awards are given based on academic excellence, career goals, and community/extracurricular activities. Specific criteria varies by scholarship.
UNCF LeBlanc/Baker Scholarship for Change
Closing Date: June 22, 2023
Amount: up to $4,000 per year
GPA Requirement: 2.0
Description: Applicants must U.S. citizens or U.S national or permanent residents who are Black/African American men graduating from DCPS high school and planning to attend a four-year HBCU in fall 2023.The applicant must be FAFSA eligible with demonstrated financial need.
David Malcolm Scholarship
Closing Date: June 30, 2023
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Description: Applicants must be a student who have overcome obstacles to educational achievement and require help to continue on the path to success. Eligible applicants must be either high school seniors who have been accepted into an accredited college or university or currently enrolled college students.
Korean American Scholarship
Closing Date: June 30, 2023
Amount: up to $5,000 per year
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicants must be enrolled full-time at a school in one of the designated Eastern region states for the 2023-24 academic year. The applicant must have Korean heritage regardless of citizenship status and demonstrate financial need.
Navigate Your Future Scholarship
Closing Date: June 30, 2023
Amount: $2.500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must a high school senior who is accepted into an aviation-related program at an accredited college or university. Students must submit a personal statement discussing career goals in general aviation, education plan, flight training goals, and two or more reasons why they should be chosen for this scholarship.
Prism Foundation Scholarship
Closing Date: June 30, 2023
Amount: up to $5,000 per year
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicants must be attending a post-secondary institution in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year. Students attending community college, university, and trade/vocational school who have a strong history of engagement withing the Asian and Pacific Islander and/or LGBTQIA+ communities are encouraged to apply.
Grants and Scholarships Open through August 2023
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) OneApp
Opening Date: February 1, 2023
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
Opening Date: February 1, 2023
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: February 1, 2023
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)