Washington, D.C. Scholarships and Grants
Do You Need Money for School in D.C.?
The District of Columbia area contains 35 public and private colleges and universities, some with very familiar names: Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, and Loyola College.
General Scholarships and Grants
The State Education Office administers three DC grant options:
- DC Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) Program is designed for the most economically disadvantaged students. DC residents may qualify for awards between $2500 and $10,000 depending on the type of college or university attended. Eligible students may attend private or public in-state or out-of-state institutions.
- DC Adoption Scholarship is designed to offer tuition support to those DC students who have been adopted or in foster care or who had a parent that was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The scholarship awards up to $10,000 to eligible applicants.
- DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP) is a need-based program that provides aid to financially disadvantaged students who are enrolled in a college or university program at least half-time. The award amounts are around $1500 per academic year and renewable. Apply by completing the FAFSA.
The District of Columbia College Access Program in conjunction with the public school system administers the DC-Cap Last Dollar Awards. DC-Cap is a need-based program. Eligible students must be graduates of specified city high schools. Apply by filling out the FAFSA and the program application.
The federally funded Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is merit-based program that recognizes the most academically talented students across the country. Each year, every state chooses dozens, in some cases hundreds, of talented, graduating high school seniors. School officials nominate students on the basis of academic and personal merit. Top GPAs, leading ACT/SAT scores and other academic criteria separate the most notable students from the rest of their class. Eligible students must also be accepted into a full-time, four-year college program at a college or university anywhere in the United States. Students intending to pursue a military academy program are not eligible. Byrd Scholars may receive up to $1500 per academic year and may renew up to another 3 years if they maintain the program's academic standards.
DC Colleges and universities typically offer their own need-based grants and a selection of specialized scholarships.
Loyola College offers a general need-based grant for undergraduate students. Full-time students may receive between $200 and $22,000 for college tuition. Minority students enrolled at Loyola may apply for the Claver Scholarships and Grants. Claver Scholarships are merit-based and Claver Grants are need-based. Academic scholars may be eligible for the Loyola Presidential Scholarships awards.
Georgetown University provides its financially strapped students with thousands of dollars in scholarships through their need-based program. Students may receive up to $35,000 in aid depending on eligibility.
Specialized Studies Programs
As of the fall of 2006, the District of Columbia will have a program called the DC Health Professional Recruitment Program Act. The loan repayment plan has been designed to train and retain qualified and talented health professionals. Of special interest are those willing to work in medically underserved facilities. Participants in the program may receive loan repayment in exchange for professional practice in the DC area. See national medical scholarships.
