DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program (DC) Grant

DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program (DC) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education
Amount: Up to US $24,000
Last Updated: July 29, 2025

Summary

The DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program provides need-based funding for District of Columbia residents pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s degree at select colleges. As a last-dollar award, it helps cover tuition gaps after other financial aid. Eligible applicants must have been DC residents for at least a year, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and have household incomes below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. Funding caps are $4,000 annually, with limits on total awards.

Overview

NOTE: Funding is not guaranteed, is first come first serve, and is contingent upon local funds available each year. About The Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program (Mayor’s Scholars) provides need-based funding for eligible District of Columbia residents earning their first associate or first bachelor’s degree at select area colleges and universities. The program is a last-dollar award, meaning it can be used to fill the gap between a student’s financial aid package and the cost of attendance at their college or university. The program serves returning awardees and new applicants, including new applicants who have recently completed the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) or earned their GED. Funding The Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program provides funding to applicants pursuing their first associate degree or their first bachelor’s degrees as detailed below: Associate or two-year degreeAnnual Award Cap: up to $4,000Time Limit: up to four yearsLifetime Award Cap: $16,000Bachelor’s or four-year degreeAnnual Award Cap: up to $4,000Time Limit: up to six yearsLifetime Award Cap: $24,000 Funding may cover developmental and remedial courses. If you transfer from an associate degree program to a bachelor’s degree program, award caps (both annual and lifetime), as well as time limit will reflect the bachelor’s limits and caps. The award will pay for tuition and fees until maximum award amount is reached.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must re-apply each year.Eligible Applicants:Returning awardee This means you were an awardee during the last school year.New applicant This means you were either:A graduate (or expected graduate) of a public high school in the District of Columbia (including District of Columbia Public Schools and public charters), within the years 2010-2025 (15 years preceding the submission of their application)A District of Columbia resident who passed the GED exam or earned a diploma through the National External Diploma Program (NEDP), within the years 2010-2025 (15 years preceding the submission of their application)Must have been a resident of the District of Columbia for the last 12 months.Academic RequirementsYou need to show that you are making (or will make) satisfactory academic progress. New applicants who are current or recent high school students must provide their final transcript indicating a minimum GPA of 2.5. If you provide a current, but not final high school transcript, Mayor’s Scholars staff will request a final transcript prior to approval, if you meet all other eligibility criteria.New applicants who are currently seeking a GED/NEDP must provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, program director, principal, dean, or advisor at the high school, employer, or community-based organization.Returning applicants for Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program must provide their final college transcript (unofficial or official) or other proof of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at their current college or university. SAP is defined by each college or university, and typically includes a GPA of 2.0 or higher in addition to minimum credits earned.New and returning applicants who have already enrolled in a college or university, who are not current awardees, must also provide their final college transcript (unofficial or official) to demonstrate a college GPA of 2.0 or higher.To maintain academic eligibility for Mayor’s Scholars once you enroll in an eligible institution of higher education (IHE), you must meet SAP each semester.If you do not meet SAP at the end of an academic year, you will not be eligible to apply for the next academic year. However, after one year of ineligibility based on academic minimums, you could re-apply for Mayor’s Scholars funds if your college or university determines you have met SAP.Applicants must have a District of Columbia household taxable income below 300 percent of the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the US Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).Must be enrolling or continuing at an eligible college or university.  For next year, the following colleges and universities are eligible:American UniversityBowie State UniversityCapitol Technology UniversityCatholic University of AmericaCollege of Southern MarylandGallaudet UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityGeorgetown UniversityHoward UniversityMarymount UniversityMontgomery CollegeNorthern Virginia Community CollegePrince George's Community CollegeTrinity Washington UniversityUniversity of Maryland-College ParkUniversity of Maryland Global CampusUniversity of the District of ColumbiaWashington Adventist UniversityYeshiva College of the Nation’s CapitalMust be seeking your first associate degree OR your first bachelor’s degree. This may be an associate degree or bachelor’s degree, but it must be the first postsecondary degree of that type that you will earn.Students who have completed an associate degree and are seeking their first bachelor’s degree can apply as a returning student, but maximum award caps and time limits still apply.

Ineligibility

Please note, an individual who has previously received a bachelor’s degree may not be eligible to apply for a Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program award.