Student Financial Aid
Congresswoman Norton has made special efforts to increase college attendance in the District of Columbia. In 1999, Norton’s D.C. College Act became law, creating the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant program (DCTAG), which provides higher education opportunities for D.C. students equal to those available to other Americans, by granting up to $10,000 annually for in-state tuition at most public colleges, and up to $2,500 annually to attend private institutions in D.C. and the region. DCTAG has doubled college attendance rates in D.C., now up to 60 percent, which is 10 points above the national average. The program has served 14,458 D.C. students over the past decade and provided $219 million in tuition grants to more than 300 colleges and universities nationwide.
To apply for DCTAG, visit the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s website at https://osse.dc.gov/service/dc-oneapp-service or call (202) 727-2824 for more information.
DCTAG information from the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education:
DCTAG Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be:
- A US citizen or have eligible non-citizenship status.
- One who is attending an eligible public or private college or university.
- A District of Columbia resident at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the applicant’s first time in college and continued residency throughout the applicant’s college matriculation.
- Not in default status with federal student loans.
- A high school graduate or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) recipient.
- Accepted for enrollment in, or working towards, a first undergraduate degree on, at least, a half-time basis.
- One who has not earned or received a bachelor's degree.
- One who is not a professional or graduate-level degree candidate.
- Meet and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the college/university of enrollment or accepted enrollment.
- 24 years of age or younger, unless enrolled in the program prior to 2006-2007 academic year.
- DCTAG is limited to applicants whose District of Columbia Taxable Income does not exceed $1 million annually.
DCTAG Award Amounts
- Up to $10,000 per academic year (a maximum of $5,000 per semester) toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges and universities in the US, Guam and Puerto Rico (award will be reduced for less than full-time enrollment) for a lifetime maximum of $50,000. Awards are limited to a maximum of six (6) years from the date of the first semester the student is enrolled in college.
- Up to $2,500 per academic year (a maximum of $1,250 per semester) for private HBCUs, nationwide, and private colleges/universities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, for a lifetime maximum of $12,500. Awards are limited to a maximum of six (6) years from the date of the first semester the student is enrolled in college.
- Up to $2,500 per academic year (a maximum of $1,250 per semester) toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at two year community colleges, for a lifetime maximum of $10,000. Awards are limited to a maximum of four (4) years from the date of the first semester the student is enrolled in college.
Awards will be reduced for less than full-time enrollment, with no eligibility below the half-time level.
Awards do not cover the summer or mini-terms.
Successful completion of the DC One-App does not guarantee award funding. Funding is subject to annual appropriation as approved and provided by the District of Columbia and United States Federal Government.
DCTAG Eligible Institutions
- All public colleges/universities throughout the US, Guam and Puerto Rico.
- Public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) throughout the US, Guam and Puerto Rico.
- All private colleges and universities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Proprietary institutions are not eligible. Proprietary institutions are defined, by the Internal Revenue Service, as institutions that are for-profit.
For a list of colleges and universities currently participating in DCTAG please view the DCTAG Participating Colleges. If you are a student attending a college or universities who does not currently participating in DCTAG and is an eligible institution please have your college or university contact the DCTAG office to learn how to participate in DCTAG.
DC OneApp counselors are happy to provide more information on DCTAG participating and eligible institutions. Counselors may be reached at 202-727-2824 between the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
CBCF
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation offers scholarships to eligible Washington, D.C. students. Click here for submission deadlines, or visit their site for more infomation.
Financial Aid for Students
Guides students through the process of locating and applying for financial aid. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, updated April 2015.
- The basics: getting started
- Student aid and where it comes from
- Targeted aid for specific groups
- Repaying your loans
The basics: getting started |
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Start gathering information early.
Free information is readily available from:
High school counselors
College and career school financial aid offices (where you plan to attend)
Local and college libraries
Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education)
Other Internet sites (search terms student financial aid OR assistance)Ask questions: counselors may know if you have exceptional circumstances that affect your eligibility.
Keep copies of all forms and correspondence: you must reapply for aid each year.
Parents of students: save money long before your child attends college.
FinAid: for Parents
College Savings Plan Network (state "Section 529" plans)
Tax incentives for higher education expensesGood overviews:
About Financial Aid
FinAid: The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
Mapping Your FutureBeware of scholarship scams -- dont pay for free information!
Department of Education
Federal Trade Commission
Student aid and where it comes from |
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Basic assistance categories:
Financial need-based
Remember that students and their parents are responsible for paying what they can -- financial aid is a supplement, not a substitute, for family resources.Non need-based
Factors include academic excellence, ethnic background, or organization membership. Corporations may also offer assistance to employees and children.
Federal Student Aid:
- Provides nearly 70% of student aid under Loans, Grants and Work/study programs.
- Available to all need-based applicants; some loans and competitive scholarships for non need-based.
- Free information from the United States Department of Education:
- Loans are the most common federal aid and must be repaid when you graduate or leave college.
- Stafford Loans (FFELs and Direct Loans) include:
- Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) from private lenders, such as banks and credit unions, guaranteed by the federal government.
- Federal PLUS Loans parental loans, not need-based.
- Perkins Loans [Download a free PDF reader] for the most needy undergraduates; through participating schools.
- Stafford Loans (FFELs and Direct Loans) include:
- Scholarships/grants are mostly need-based and require no repayment:
- "Congressional" scholarships:
- Work study programs allow you to earn money while in school:
- Federal Work Study Program: college campus jobs
- USA Jobs: Welcome Students and Recent Graduates: jobs with the federal government
- For questions not covered by the Department of Education Web site, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
States offer residents a variety of scholarships, loans, and tuition exemptions.
- Check with your State Higher Education Agency and State Guarantee Agency.
- Consider prepaid tuition and college savings ("Section 529") plans: College Savings Plans Network.
- Search your Internet browser under terms such as student financial aid or assistance AND your state.
Colleges and universities provide some 20% of aid, most need-based. Check university Web sites and the institutions financial aid office when you apply for admission.
Private foundations, corporations, and organizations offer scholarships or grants:
College Board Scholarship Search
FastWeb
Grants for Individuals
Targeted aid for special groups |
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- Grants for Minorities: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Latinos, Native Americans, and Other Ethnic Groups
- African Americans: For Students: Scholarships
- Disabled students: Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
- Foreign students: Financial Aid for International Students
- Hispanic Americans: Scholarships
- Law school students: Law school students
- Medical students: Association of American Medical Colleges
- Native Americans: American Indian College Fund
- Study abroad (for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens): International Financial Aid
- Veterans: Education Benefits
Interested in public service?
Federal assistance programs seek to encourage people to work in geographic areas or professions where theres a particular need (such as doctors in underserved areas); encourage underrepresented groups to enter a particular profession; and provide aid in exchange for services provided (such as military service).
- AmeriCorps Education Award
Volunteers who complete one year of service receive an education award for current higher education expenses or to repay student loans. - Army Tuition Assistance
Additional benefits for Army personnel. - Indian Health Service
Scholarships for American Indian/Alaskan Native health profession students and loan repayment for persons working in IHS facilities. - Military academies:
United States Air Force Academy
United States Coast Guard Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy - National Health Service Corps
Scholarships and loan repayment for health profession students who agree to work in underserved areas. - Nursing Scholarships
Offered in exchange for two years of service in areas with critical nursing shortages. - Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
For students who want to be commissioned as officers after graduating from college.
United States Air Force ROTC
United States Army ROTC
United States Navy ROTC - USA Jobs: Welcome Students and Recent Graduates
Scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships, and cooperative education with federal agencies.
Aid for private K-12 education: No direct federal assistance, check with schools themselves:
- Coverdell Education Savings Accounts: for elementary and secondary school expenses as well as higher education.
Repaying your loans |
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After college, the federal government has ways to help you repay your loans.
- Eligibility depends upon the type of loan, when it was made, and whether its in default. Check with your loan officer to find out if you qualify.
- Loan Consolidation: combine your federal loans into a single loan with one monthly payment.
- Sometimes loans may be canceled in exchange for public service.
Teachers: Cancellation/Deferment Options
Health professions: National Health Service Corps
Law school graduates: Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Medical school graduates: Loan Repayment Program
Federal employees: Federal Student Loan Repayment Program - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Student Debt Repayment Assistant.