The DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program is a District last-dollar scholarship for low-income DC residents pursuing their first bachelor’s degree at approved colleges. It may cover up to $4,000 after Pell and other aid. The maximum is not a fixed check: an award depends on remaining cost, institution, income cap, and available funds.
The 2026–27 student guide requires District residence during the 12 months before the deadline, admission or enrollment at a participating institution, and an eligible degree. The published income cap was $81,960 for households of up to three people and $99,000 for four, with $17,040 added per person up to the defined household size. Verify the row for your family and dependency treatment.
The scholarship applies as last-dollar aid after federal, state, and institutional grants; it does not cover costs outside the approved budget. OSSE may require FAFSA, program registration, and proof of residency, income, and admission. The student page lists participating colleges and the FAQ explains renewal. Ask financial aid how the award coordinates with Pell so the same tuition is not counted twice.
The 2026–27 application closed August 21, 2026, at 3 p.m. Do not assume OSSE will use the same dates for 2027–28; the next calendar needs official confirmation. Save the page and revisit it before graduation, prepare residency and tax documents, and create an account only through the authentic portal. If the current deadline has passed, ask about open alternatives such as DCTAG, which has separate rules; do not submit late without confirmation.
Do not compare programs by the phrase “free tuition” alone. Ask the college for a written budget separating tuition, mandatory fees, books, transportation, housing, and meals, and ask which other grants are deducted before this award is calculated. A last-dollar scholarship may cover only eligible charges left after Pell and institutional aid.
Keep confirmation for every application and check your student portal: FAFSA/CADAA, residency verification, a transcript, education plan, or data-release consent may still be missing. If the current cycle deadline has passed, ask whether an appeal or late list exists, but prepare for the next cycle without assuming late documents will be accepted. Use the linked profiles to identify the administrator and official channel.
Aid can affect other awards and renewals. Before dropping credits, changing campuses, taking a break, or accepting a loan, ask in writing how your award would be recalculated and what academic progress is required. A published maximum is not an individual offer: the final amount depends on funding, eligible charges, other aid, and your file.
Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program — DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Mayor’s Scholars Questions and Answers — OSSE.
Mayor’s Scholars en Español — OSSE.
Information checked on October 12, 2026 against official sources. Past deadlines are identified as such; eligibility does not guarantee an award. Before enrolling, confirm the current cycle, available funding, and covered charges with the program and your college financial-aid office.
The 2026–27 deadline has passed; verify your household income and prepare documents for the next official cycle.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program
Up to $4,000 based on remaining need, residency, income, college, and funds; current cycle is closed.
District last-dollar scholarship for bachelor’s study
Office of the State Superintendent of Education — Mayor’s Scholars
Publishes eligibility, calendars, institution lists, and support for DC-resident scholarships.
District education office and scholarship administrator
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
OSSE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
OSSE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
OSSE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program ↗
Primary source
OSSE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
OSSE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Office of the State Superintendent of Education — Mayor’s Scholars ↗
Primary source
OSSE · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.