WHAT/WHO:                    

Mayor Vincent. C. Gray, State Superintendent of Education Hosanna Mahaley Jones, Trinity Washington University President Patricia McGuire, Howard University President Sidney Ribeau, Georgetown University President and D.C. Consortium of Universities President John DeGioia and D.C. college students will announce the creation of the Mayor’s Scholars Fund, a 100-percent-need-based grant program to provide financial support for low-income District students 18-24 years old currently attending D.C. colleges and universities. For the first time, students attending the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the UDC Community College (UDCCC) will also be eligible to receive funding.

WHEN:                                 

Friday, October 5, 2012

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:               

Trinity Washington University, Social Hall

125 Michigan Avenue NE

 BACKGROUND:                

Mayor Gray placed $1.59 million in the District’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget to support resident students attending D.C. colleges and universities. Approximately 185 students will receive financial assistance this fall, ranging from up to $3,000 at UDCCC, up to $7,000 at UDC and up to $10,000 for students attending private schools in the District. Mayor’s Scholars were selected based on current undergraduate enrollment in a D.C. college or university, good academic and disciplinary standing, established District residency and verified financial need – defined as being Pell Grant-eligible with an expected family contribution toward their education of $0. The new funds for students in private D.C. institutions are in addition to existing D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) awards they may also be receiving. Previously, resident students attending private institutions in the District were eligible to receive up to $2,500 in DCTAG funds, with UDC/CCDC students not eligible for any DCTAG support.

###