District of Columbia Scholarships

The American University District Scholars Award supports high-achieving, low-income students from District of Columbia public and public charter high schools. Ten scholarships are awarded annually covering full tuition plus room and board at American University, with additional institutional aid available up to full demonstrated financial need. There is no separate scholarship application; eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for fall admission by January 15 and submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the same deadline. Scholars also receive mentoring, advising, and cohort programming through the District Scholars program.

Individual artists, teaching artists, and humanities practitioners at least 18 who have been District of Columbia residents for at least one year may apply for unrestricted AHFP fellowships. Applicants submit work samples, a community statement, and proof of DC residency. Fellowships historically pay a flat award amount (recent cycles around $7,000-$7,500; FY27 individual award size is contingent on budget availability). The performance period runs October 1 through September 30. The FY27 RFA closed July 7, 2026 at 5 PM ET via the CAH Grant Application Portal. The FY28 RFA is expected in spring/summer 2027. DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) administers AHFP to support individual contributors to DC's arts and humanities community.

The GW District Scholars Award provides an additional seven thousand five hundred dollars in university grant funds to eligible D.C. high school graduates whose family income does not exceed seventy-five thousand dollars. Combined with other GW aid, the grant helps meet full demonstrated financial need for qualifying full-time first-year Main Campus students. Applicants must be D.C. residents who attended and graduated from a D.C. high school or were home-schooled in D.C. for their final two years, qualify for DC TAG, apply for the D.C. Mayor's Scholarship, and submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile. No separate application is required beyond meeting all criteria.

Undergraduate students with at least one year of college completed, or graduate students, at accredited U.S. institutions whose daily lives are guided by spiritual values may apply. Preference goes to candidates residing in or attending schools in Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed for subsequent years. Apply with three autobiographical essays, three letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and an in-person interview. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Fund to support students whose actions reflect strong moral and spiritual values.

Middle school and high school students who are residents of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. with a 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA may apply. Three scholarships of $3,000 each are awarded to students engaged in philanthropic work through YouthCon's "Act with Impact" program. High school seniors must plan to enroll full time in college. Complete the YouthCon Scholarship application and attend the YouthCon Award Ceremony if selected. Apply by January 18.

Graduating high school seniors who are minorities or people of color, reside in Washington D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, have at least a 2.7 GPA, and show school, community, or church involvement may apply for the Montford Point Marine Association DC Chapter 6 scholarship. Awards of $2,000 are paid directly to the school of enrollment. The number of recipients varies each year. Submit a sealed transcript, proof of acceptance to an accredited HBCU, community college, or vocational/technical program, two recommendation letters, and a 250- to 500-word essay on how Montford Point Marines' determination influenced your educational goals by April 30. The Montford Point Marine Association supports youth in the D.C. metro area pursuing higher education.

Graduating high school seniors or current undergraduates from Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C. who are from economically disadvantaged or historically marginalized communities may apply if they have at least a 3.0 GPA and plan to pursue communications, graphic design, journalism, marketing, or public relations. Two recipients each receive a $1,500 award through Sage's partnership with Leadership Greater Washington and its Youth Leadership Greater Washington program. Submit your application electronically, including two 300-word essays and a transcript. Winners are notified in May and recognized at Leadership Greater Washington's annual meeting.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school seniors or college freshmen or sophomores under age 20 and residing in eligible states or the District of Columbia may apply. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school seniors) or 2.75 GPA (college students), plus demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Award amounts vary based on need and may renew for up to four academic years. Complete the application with details on honors, leadership, community service, financial need, and future goals. Funds must be used at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Student-athletes in intercollegiate sports and exclusively online students are ineligible. The Jimmy Rane Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to help deserving students pursue college educations.

The Metro Scholarship provides additional merit-based aid to first-time freshmen from Fairmont State's designated metro states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and Washington D.C. In addition to the Metro tuition rate reduction, qualifying students may receive a Metro Scholarship based on academic achievements at the time of admission. The scholarship is awarded upon acceptance with a priority deadline of April 1. Fairmont State encourages metro-state residents to contact the admissions or financial aid office to determine specific award eligibility and amounts. This institutional award helps neighboring-state students afford Fairmont State's undergraduate programs alongside the reduced metro tuition rate.

In recognition of Georgetown's partnerships with the District of Columbia, former University President Leo J. O'Donovan, S.J., established this program to provide need-based awards for students from high schools located in the District of Columbia to study at Georgetown. Endowment funds including the Father Edward B. Bunn, S.J., Scholarship Fund and the Ellen S. Devine Scholarship Fund support the program. Students from D.C. high schools apply through standard Georgetown financial aid applications. There is no separate scholarship form beyond demonstrating need and D.C. high school attendance.