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Metro guide

Washington, D.C. scholarships & local foundations

The Washington, D.C. metro area covers the District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Loudoun County and more in District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland, with principal cities including Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Reston. We found 2 open scholarships whose official rules name a place in this area; the next to close is Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship on Mar 1, 2027.

Updated

The IRS lists 5 community foundations with at least $1 million in assets based in the area’s principal cities; the largest is Greater Washington Community Foundation in Washington ($518 million in assets). Community foundations hold hundreds of small donor-funded scholarships, often limited to graduates of specific high schools or residents of one county, and many use a single shared application each winter.

Statewide, 5 more open awards are limited to District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland residents, and state aid includes DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance (EA) Grant and Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). Federal Pell Grants stack on top for students who file the FAFSA.

Where local money hides: ask your school counselor for the local scholarship bulletin (many high schools keep one), check employer and union awards from your parents’ workplaces, and look at service clubs (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions) and credit unions near you. These awards rarely appear on national sites, which is why their applicant pools are small.

Scholarships naming the Washington, D.C. area (2)

133 days left

Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship

Four-year renewable, up to $50,000 · Akerson Family Foundation · High school senior

First-generation, college-bound seniors graduating spring 2027 from Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church City or Prince William County (VA) public schools or DC Public Schools; FAFSA/VASA eligible with an SAI of $30,000 or less; enrolling fall 2027 at a nonprofit four-year college or community college.

Due March 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET.
VADC
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Last verified Oct 19, 2026
133 days left

DC CAP University Partner Scholarship

$5,000–$7,500 per year from DC CAP, renewable up to five years, plus partner-university aid · DC College Access Program (DC CAP) · High school senior

Washington, DC high school seniors who are admitted to a DC CAP partner university; students are matched with partner schools.

Register in the fall; application opens Jan 4, 2027 and is due 11:59 p.m. March 1, 2027. FAFSA and DC TAG also required.
DC
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026

Community foundations in the Washington, D.C. area (5)

Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC · $518 million in assets (IRS)
Website ↗
Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland Incorporated
Frederick, MD · $211 million in assets (IRS)
Find its scholarships ↗
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Inc
Fairfax, VA · $119 million in assets (IRS)
Find its scholarships ↗
Arlington Community Foundation
Arlington, VA · $51 million in assets (IRS)
Find its scholarships ↗
Capitol Hill Community Foundation
Washington, DC · $2.5 million in assets (IRS)
Find its scholarships ↗

State aid for Washington, D.C. students

DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)
District of Columbia · DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

Varies — see official page

Official page ↗
Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance (EA) Grant
Maryland · Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC)

$400–$3,000 per year

Official page ↗
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
Virginia · State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

Varies — neediest students receive at least tuition

Official page ↗

Statewide awards open to Washington, D.C. residents (5)

109 days left

Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship

$500 to $6,000 per year · Jimmy Rane Foundation · High school senior

High school seniors no older than 20 on Aug 1, 2027, living in AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, NE, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC; financial need is a major factor.

Application opens Dec 1, 2026; application and materials due Feb 5, 2027 (recommendations by Feb 10). No late applications.
ALARDEFLGAILINIAKSKYLAMDMSMONENJNYNCOHOKPASCTNTXVAWVDC
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
119 days left

Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region Scholarships

Varies by fund (50+ scholarship funds) · The Community Foundation (Fredericksburg, VA) · High school senior

Graduating high school seniors attending school in Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George or Caroline County or the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, pursuing college or career, trade, technical or certification programs.

Portal opens Dec 1, 2026; deadline Feb 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
VA
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
133 days left

Delegate Howard P. Rawlings Guaranteed Access (GA) Grant

Up to $18,000 per year for four years · Maryland Higher Education Commission · High school senior

Low-income Maryland high school seniors who meet the GA income limits and academic requirements and enroll full-time at a Maryland college.

File the FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1 each year (2027–28: March 1, 2027).
MDNo essay
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Last verified Oct 19, 2026
133 days left

Maryland Delegate Scholarship

$200 to $14,086 (2026–27 range) · Maryland Higher Education Commission / Maryland state delegates · High school senior / undergraduate / graduate

Maryland residents attending eligible Maryland colleges (or approved out-of-state programs); each of Maryland's delegates picks recipients in their district.

File the FAFSA or MSFAA by March 1, then follow your delegate's own application rules and date.
MD
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026
178 days left

Credit Union Foundation MD|DC|DE College Scholarship

$2,000 (ten essay-based and two video-based awards) · The Credit Union Foundation of MD | DC · High school senior / undergraduate / trade school

College- and trade-school-bound credit union members (credit unions in Maryland, D.C. and Delaware served by the Foundation). 2027 essay topic is on structuring a personal finance course; the video is 60 seconds.

Applications due 11:59 p.m., April 15, 2027; winners announced June 2027. You may apply in both the essay and video categories.
MDDCDE
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Last verified Oct 17, 2026

Full District of Columbia guide → · Full Virginia guide → · Full Maryland guide → · All community foundations

Frequently asked questions

Are there local scholarships in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. 2 open scholarships on this site name a city or county in the Washington, D.C. area, and the IRS lists 5 community foundations based there.

How do community foundation scholarships work?

Donors set up funds with rules such as a specific high school, county, major or need. The foundation advertises them together, usually with one online application each winter or spring, and matches applicants to every fund they qualify for.

What state aid can Washington, D.C. students get?

DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), Howard P. Rawlings Educational Assistance (EA) Grant and Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). Most require the FAFSA.