The DCTAG program team will work with your college or university to cover your tuition expenses if you are eligible for DCTAG funding, and your school is eligible for DCTAG funding. Please note: Students receiving a DCTAG award will not personally receive the funds. The award amount that your college or university will receive from the DCTAG program for your account depends on the type of institution you are attending, the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, the academic term, your lifetime maximum award amount (see below), and the amount of federal funding appropriated for the DCTAG program.
Scholarship Details
- Established by Congress through the District of Columbia College Access Act
- Administered to assist District of Columbia residents pursuing undergraduate education
- Supports attendance at eligible public and private colleges and universities
- Recipients currently attend more than 300 participating institutions
- Applicants must reapply annually to continue receiving funding
- Funding is available only while all eligibility requirements continue to be met
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Must attend an eligible public or private college or university
- Must have established District of Columbia domicile for at least 12 consecutive months before beginning college and maintain residency throughout enrollment
- Dependent students under age 24 establish domicile through a parent or legal guardian
- Must not be in default on federal student loans
- Must possess a high school diploma, GED, National External Diploma Program credential, or equivalent secondary credential
- Must have earned the secondary credential within the previous 15 years
- Must be enrolled at least half-time in a first undergraduate degree program
- Must not already hold a bachelor's degree
- Graduate and professional degree students are not eligible
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the educational institution
- Must meet DCTAG income eligibility requirements
Application Process
- Review the DCTAG eligibility requirements and confirm participation by your intended college or university
- Complete the DCTAG application for the applicable academic year
- Provide documentation verifying District of Columbia domicile and residency
- Submit documentation confirming citizenship or eligible non-citizen status, if required
- Provide proof of high school graduation or an eligible secondary credential
- Submit any required college admission or enrollment documentation
- Complete all required financial and eligibility verification materials before the annual deadline
- Reapply each year to maintain eligibility and continued funding
DCTAG was created by Congress in 1999 by the District of Columbia College Access Act; PL 106-98 and amended by DC College Access Improvement Act 2002 and DC College Access Improvement Act 2007 to expand higher education choices for college-bound residents of the District of Columbia. Currently, DCTAG recipients attend more than 300 colleges and universities.
