OSSE Encourages District Students to Apply for DC Tuition Assistance Grant Early

Contact:  Victoria Holmes (202) 372-5415; [email protected]

The District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) application is open through June 30; however, today the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced that all eligible District residents should apply early as funds are dispersed on a first come, first served basis.

OSSE will award nearly $30 million this year through the nation’s one-of-a-kind congressionally funded program that provides up to $10,000 toward tuition at public four-year colleges and universities throughout the US, Guam and Puerto Rico. Students wishing to apply the tuition assistance at private colleges and universities in the District, private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and two-year colleges nationwide can apply for up to $2,500 in DCTAG funding.

DCTAG eligibility requirements include:

• US citizen or have eligible non-citizenship status;
• Attending an eligible public or private college or university;
• District of Columbia resident at least twelve (12) consecutive months prior to the applicant’s first time in college and continued domicile throughout the applicant’s college matriculation;
• Dependent students’ (under age 24) domicile is established though the parent.  Parents of dependent students must have a citizenship status that allows them to establish domicile in the District of Columbia;
• Not in default status with federal student loans;
• 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 as a regular degree-seeking student;
• One who has not earned or received a bachelor's degree;
• One who is not a professional or graduate-level degree candidate;
• In compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the college/university of enrollment or accepted enrollment; and,
• 24 years of age or younger.

To apply for DCTAG, interested applicants should:

1. Complete the DC OneApp.
2. Complete the FAFSA.
3. Provide the Required Supporting Documents.

While working to ensure postsecondary access, OSSE has also committed to college completion starting with helping students make the transition from high school to the postsecondary environment. Beginning in the summer of 2015, OSSE will host workshops on navigating the college lifestyle including academics, social life and finances for all rising college freshman and their parents.

The OSSE Summer Transitions Program (STP) will focus on  preparing all incoming students and their families for a successful freshman year by offering tangible and responsive “college knowledge” through a series of workshops designed to increase awareness of the challenges faced during the first year of college.

STP workshop themes will include:

• Establishing Academic Foundation: Transition from high school to college
• Campus Support Services/How to Navigate Campus
• Student Life and Wellness
• Shifting Mental Gears: The High School Transition
• Understanding Financial Aid

The program is designed to have a lasting impact on the student retention and graduation rates.

“Approximately 60 percent of DC high school seniors enroll in postsecondary every year; however, based on persistence and completion rates, we know our students need more information about navigating college,” said Assistant Superintendent of Postsecondary and Career Education Antoinette Mitchell. “Through the Summer Transitions Program, OSSE, in partnership with the members of the College and Credential Completion Network (C3N), is excited to provide additional “college knowledge” assistance to our students to ensure they have every opportunity to be college-ready.”

For more information on DCTAG, visit osse.dc.gov.