DC residents qualify for huge tuition breaks at public institutions nationwide

October 19, 10:38 AMDC College Admissions ExaminerNancy Griesemer

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Left out of regional tuition exchange programs such as the Academic Common Market, residents of the District of Columbia have their own sweet deal for saving money at colleges and universities located throughout the US, Guam, or Puerto Rico. To increase college-going and broaden options for DC students, the Congress created the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) which covers the difference in cost between in-state and out-of-state tuition at eligible public institutions for up to $10,000 per year or a total of $50,000 over the course of five years. DCTAG dollars may also be used to pay up to $2500 per year toward tuition at private colleges in the Washington Metropolitan Area (Prince George’s, Montgomery, Arlington, and Fairfax Counties as well as DC and the City of Alexandria) OR at any of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) nationwide OR at any participating public two-year college. DCTAG is neither need nor merit based.

To qualify for DCTAG, students must be US citizens, reside in the District for at least 12 consecutive months prior to application and must maintain continued residence throughout their time in college. They must apply within 3 years of graduation (or GED) and be accepted by a participating college or university. Application is relatively simple and requires submission of the DC OneApp, FAFSA, and some supporting documents.

According to a recent report from the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), 14,458 students have received $219 million in tuition grants for studies at over 300 colleges and universities since the DCTAG program was launched in 2000. Among the most popular local institutions receiving these grants are Montgomery College, DC Trinity, Bowie State, University of Maryland College Park, Virginia State, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Norfolk State University. DCTAG monies have also supported students at George Washington, Howard, Catholic, American, and Georgetown Universities.
 
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