DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)

DCTAG is local support for students and families domiciled in the District of Columbia who choose to study elsewhere. It does not pay any college bill: for public colleges, it helps with part of the gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition. For 2026–27, the District raised the annual maximum from $10,000 to $15,000 and the lifetime cap to $75,000. The actual award depends on the tuition difference and individual eligibility.

A separate category serves students at private nonprofit colleges in the DC metropolitan area and four-year private HBCUs nationwide: the maximum is $3,750 per year and $18,750 lifetime. Payments are reduced for less-than-full-time enrollment, and students are limited to six award years. Check OSSE’s participating-school list; a college’s name alone does not establish that a particular campus qualifies.

The 2026–27 window opened February 2 and closed August 21, 2026, at 3 p.m.; it is closed as of this review. Confirm future-cycle dates with OSSE when they are announced. The annual process uses DC OneApp, FAFSA, and documents proving residency and eligibility. If the deadline has passed, do not assume late documents will be accepted; ask OSSE and the college aid office about other available support.

The 2026–27 window opened February 2 and closed August 21, 2026, at 3 p.m.; it is closed as of this review. Confirm future-cycle dates with OSSE when they are announced. The annual process uses DC OneApp, FAFSA, and documents proving residency and eligibility. If the deadline has passed, do not assume late documents will be accepted; ask OSSE and the college aid office about other available support.

To estimate the real cost, ask the institution for a written breakdown of tuition, fees, housing, and expenses the award does not cover. Confirm renewal, academic-progress rules, and when funds are credited. Keep the award letter and application receipts.

Official program information and application