The District of Columbia aka Washington D.C is the home to some very prestigious colleges and universities that many students both local and out of state have high hopes of admittance to. In a state that offers such colleges as John Hopkins University and Georgetown what scholarships are available to help cushion the costs? The District of Columbia acknowledges the need for financial assistance and is ready to offer scholarships and grants to those who do the necessary research.
Washington D.C. is also a great place to live and learn, and the city offers a variety of scholarship and grant programs for students of all ages and backgrounds. One of the most popular programs is the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant, which provides up to $5,000 per year for eligible students attending public or private colleges and universities in the District. Other programs include the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships for low-income students to attend private schools, and the D.C. STEM Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math. In addition to these programs, the city also offers a variety of need-based grants that can help cover the cost of tuition and other expenses. So if you’re looking for financial assistance to attend college in Washington D.C., be sure to check out some of the most popular options below available to you.
D.C. TAG Tuition Assistance Grant Program
A very popular assistance program is DC TAG which stands for DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program. The program was approved in 1999 and was put in place to help students have more choices when trying to achieve their academic success. There are some guidelines in order to be eligible for this tuition assistance that is based on citizenship, residency, diploma status, age, status of existing federal loans, and college or university status. This assistance is also based largely on financial status of the student. The DC TAG awards between $2500 and $10000 to those who qualify. There are certain criteria in order to qualify, further research is recommended before applying for this form of financial assistance.
As noted above, the grant provides up to $10,000 per academic year for tuition and fees, making higher education more affordable for D.C. students. Eligibility requirements include being a D.C. resident for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in college and meeting certain academic requirements. The grant may also be used for books, supplies, room and board, and transportation. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit their application by a specific deadline. For more information on the requirements, application process, and deadlines for the DC TAG program, visit the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education website. Other specific criteria for qualifying for the DC TAG grant program:
- Must be a D.C. resident for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in college
- Must have an annual household income that does not exceed the amount specified by DC TAG
- Must be enrolled or accepted into an eligible post secondary institution located within the District of Columbia
- Demonstrate financial need as determined
The District of Columbia Scholarship Office (DCSO)
Is is good to note that the District of Columbia Scholarship Office (DCSO) is responsible for administering the majority of scholarship programs in the District of Columbia. The DCSO provides information and guidance to students regarding scholarship opportunities, and also manages the application and selection process for most scholarships. In addition, the DCSO provides financial aid information and counseling to students and families. The DCSO is committed to helping students secure the financial resources they need to pursue their educational goals.
Georgetown University Scholarships
Georgetown University has come to the need of many students who wish to attend their school, but are not financially able to meet the costs. Georgetown University provide various scholarships to need based students. Some scholarships are very generous, awarding as much as $35,000 to eligible individuals.
Georgetown University offers several types of scholarships to undergraduates, including academic merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and a number of other special programs. Here are some examples:
- The Dean’s Scholarship is an academic merit-based scholarship that is awarded to students who have demonstrated excellence in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, room, and board.
- The Regents’ Scholarship is another academic merit-based scholarship that is awarded to students who have achieved a high level of academic success. This scholarship also covers the full cost of tuition, room, and board.
- The President’s Scholarship is a need-based scholarship that is awarded to students whose families demonstrate a significant financial need. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition.
Applying for Aid at Georgetown University
Applying for financial aid at Georgetown University is easy—simply fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you’ve submitted your FAFSA, you will automatically be considered for all forms of aid for which you are eligible, including scholarships.
Loyola College Grants and Scholarships
Loyola College also has their own need based scholarships and grants. Some such as the Claver Scholarships is aimed at minority students. Loyola awards anywhere between $200 and $22,000 to students they feel qualify for the assistance based on applicants. Read out more on Loyola scholarships available for undergraduates.
DC Health Professional Recruitment Program Act
Those considering a career in health care might find some assistance through the DC Health Professional Recruitment Program Act, even if they aren’t considered need based. This is a special program designed to train and retain qualified health professionals in the District of Columbia. Although not a scholarship, it is a loan program that allows participants to repay in exchange of their professional practice in the DC area.
Nursing Scholarships and Grants
Nursing is a demanding but rewarding profession, and there is no shortage of opportunities for those who are dedicated to the field. In fact, nurses are in high demand not only in the Washington D.C. area but all over the US and the world. That’s why scholarships, grants, and internships can be readily found just about anywhere you go. This is no less true of our nation’s capital, where nursing scholarships in Washington DC are plentiful!
A nursing internship is a great way to transfer your nursing career from the classroom to a real clinical practice by obtaining real-world, hands-on skills. There are many healthcare organizations in Washington DC that are eager to extend scholarship, grant, and internship opportunities to promising and dedicated nursing students. So if you’re looking for a way to get started on your nursing career, don’t forget to check out the many opportunities that await you in our nation’s capital. We have listed some of the top nursing and health scholarships and grants below:
- DC Health Care Services Scholarship
- Washington Hospital Center Nursing Education and Scholarship Programs
- The Primary Care Access and Retention Grant Program
- DC Health Professional Loan Forgiveness Program
- DC Nurses Association Scholarships
- Howard University School of Nursing Scholarship Program
- Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies Scholarships
- George Washington University School of Nursing Scholarships
- Children’s National Health System Scholarship Program
- DC Medical Society Foundation Scholarship Program
- American Nurses Association-District of Columbia Chapter Scholarship Program
Additional List of D.C. Scholarships and Grants
Scholarships for Underrepresented Students
- The Ron Brown Scholarship Program provides scholarships of up to $40,000 over 4 years to talented African American high school seniors who plan to pursue undergraduate studies full-time.
- The Gates Millennium Scholars Program offers good-through-graduation scholarships to African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with significant financial need.
- The Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship provides up to $3,000 for African American or black students pursuing a major in visual arts.
- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship Program offers scholarships between $500 and $5,000 to Latino students who have a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities.
Lesser Known Scholarships
- The DC Urban Moms and Dads Scholarship offers a $2,500 scholarship to a current or former teen parent living in D.C.
- The Klingenstein Third Generation Scholarship provides up to full tuition and $30,000 stipend over 4 years for D.C. students of Jewish heritage.
- The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship offers up to $4,000 for minority students pursuing an actuarial science degree.
STEM Scholarships
- The Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program provides over $750,000 in scholarships annually to women pursuing bachelor’s or graduate degrees in engineering, engineering technology, and computer science.
- The Merit Scholarship Program at Trinity Washington University offers half-tuition merit scholarships to women majoring in STEM fields who meet certain GPA and test score requirements.
Additional University Scholarships
- American University offers several scholarships for D.C. residents, including the D.C. Achievers Scholarship, D.C. Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program, and more.
- The Catholic University of America provides scholarships specifically for graduates of D.C. public and charter schools through the Cardinal’s Scholarship Program.
- Howard University offers financial assistance through the Howard University Middle Income Scholarship, covering up to $5,000 per year for families making between $80,000 and $120,000 annually.
Conclusion
With so many different types of scholarships and grants available in Washington D.C., there’s sure to be something for everyone who meets the eligibility requirements. If you’re a Washington D.C. resident and looking for financial assistance to pay for college, make sure to check out the DCSO website or contact the office directly for more information about specific scholarship and grant programs. Applications for many of these awards are due in early spring each year, so don’t wait too long to get started on your search!
