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
Andrew Flusche Scholarship Contest
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be a United States citizen or lawful resident who is accepted and enrolled into a U.S. college, university, graduate school, or trade school. The applicant is required to submit a public service announcement video on what motorists should do while driving if they see a law enforcement vehicle that is stopped on the side of the road.
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be an incoming freshman or current college student. The applicant is required to submit a transcript, headshot, 200-word response to each of the four prompts, and a completed application.
Creative Excellence in Graphic Design and/or Fashion with Market Intelligence Scholarship
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicant must be a full time or part time (minimum 6 credits) undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Graphic Arts & Design, Fashion, or a related field. The student must be enrolled at an accredited institution of higher learning. The applicant must submit a 1000-word essay and a shirt design.
Designli Empowering Women in Tech Essay Scholarship
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $3,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: This scholarship is for current high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students who identify as female and are interested in technology and entrepreneurship. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen. The application requires submission of a 250-word short bio, transcript, a 1000-word essay, and proof of citizenship.
Emery Reddy Workers’ Compensation Law Firm Scholarship
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $2,000- Law school student and $1,000- 3 awards to undergraduate students
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, currently enrolled in or recently accepted to an accredited U.S. law school or accredited U.S. college or university. Transcripts, proof of residency, and a 600-word maximum essay are required.
Charles Cheesman’s Student Debt Reduction Scholarship (4 awards)
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $5,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: This scholarship is for current undergraduate, graduate, or college graduates who identify as African American or Hispanic/Latino. The applicant must have student loan debt and was/is a first-generation student.
SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Description: Currently enrolled as a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior at a U.S. college/university. The applicant must pursue a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). A 500-word or less essay is required.
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be 18 years or older, currently enrolled in an accredited college/university or a trade school in 2024 and submit a 300-word essay on the given topic.
Unigo Education Matters Scholarship
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Amount: $5,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: This scholarship is for students who are at least 14 years old. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, and must reside in the 50 United States or Washington, D.C. The student is required to submit a 250-word or less essay.
American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship
Deadline: December 1, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: This scholarship is for all high school students. Applicants must submit an application package, transcript, and a 500-word essay on why college is important to them. This one-time, non-renewable award is open to U.S. citizens or eligible non-eligible citizens.
Connect Future Leaders in Technology Scholarship*
Deadline: December 1
Amount: $2,000
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be a high school senior or current college student pursuing an education and career in information technology. This scholarship requires a 1,000-word essay submission on applicants’ academic and professional goals.
Deadline: December 1
Amount: $20,000
GPA Requirement: 2.4
Description: Applicant must be a graduating high school senior who participated in an approved college readiness program in grades 11 and 12. The applicant must demonstrate a financial need by eligibility to receive a federal Pell Grant during the first year of college, and enrolled full time at an accredited higher education institution in the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the fall directly following high school graduation.
Deadline: December 1
Amount: $1,500
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: This scholarship is available for all students in grades 7 to 12 including homeschooled students. Submission of a 350-word essay to a local FRA branch is required.
Deadline: December 1
Amount: Up to $60,000 ($7,500 per semester)
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Description: Applicant must attend a public, private, charter, magnet, or STEM high school in the United States, and fluent in the English language. The applicant must be a graduating senior, and plan to enroll in a four-year college/university the first fall semester following high school graduation. This scholarship requires the applicant to work 240 hours between January 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025, with an Adjusted Gross Household Income reported on 2023 federal income taxes must not exceed $100,000. Applicants must also complete the FAFSA and apply for DCTAG if eligible.
Lamber-Goodnow Injury Law Team College Scholarships
Deadline: December 1
Amount: $1,000
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Description: Applicant must select a scholarship that matches their intended major or career goal. All scholarships are for innovative and highly creative high school and college students. Submission of a transcript and an essay on how they are driven to innovate are both required.
Deadline: December 1
Amount: $40,000 ($1,000 each year over four years)
GPA Requirement: N/A
Description: Applicant must be black/African American, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a current high school senior. The applicant must exhibit exceptional leadership potential, academic excellence, active in community service activities, and a financial need.
Procter & Gamble HBCYOU Scholarship Program
Deadline: December 12, 2024
Amount: Up to $2,500
GPA Requirement: 3.0
Description: Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student, attending a 4-year UNCF affiliated Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
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).