District of Columbia Financial Aid
State grants, eligibility, deadlines, and strategies for District of Columbia students
The District of Columbia's flagship program is the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG), which provides up to $10,000 per year for DC residents attending public universities in any state — effectively giving DC students access to in-state tuition rates nationwide. This is one of the most unique and generous state aid programs in the country.
District of Columbia grant programs
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG)
Need-basedUp to $10,000/year at public universities outside DC (up to $2,500/year at private institutions in DC, MD, or VA); lifetime maximum of $50,000
Eligibility
- DC resident for at least 12 months
- Enrolled at an eligible institution (public universities nationwide; select private and HBCU institutions)
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Not have already received a bachelor's degree
- File the FAFSA and DC OneApp
Deadline: DC OneApp deadline: June 30 (file as early as possible for priority consideration)
Official info →Tips for maximising District of Columbia aid
DC TAG is extraordinary — it lets you attend any public university in the country at near in-state rates. This opens up options at flagship state schools nationwide.
DC TAG requires the DC OneApp in addition to the FAFSA — make sure you complete both applications to receive funding.
The lifetime maximum for DC TAG is $50,000 — if you're attending a school with high out-of-state tuition, plan your four years knowing you'll receive up to $10,000/year with this cap in mind.
Educational guide only. State aid programs, amounts, and deadlines change annually. Always verify current information directly with DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and your college's financial aid office before making decisions.
Put this into action
Find colleges in District of Columbia that fit your budget, or learn more about the FAFSA process.