Media Contact: Fred Lewis (OSSE), (202) 412-2167; [email protected]

Today, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced that more than 3,000 graduating seniors at 45 high schools and community-based organizations across the District will have the opportunity to explore colleges and submit applications at zero cost to students and families – as part of the 7th annual DC College Application and Exploration Month. OSSE secured agreements with 11 area institutions of higher education to waive college application fees for DC students all month long.

Additionally, OSSE has partnered with the Common Black College Application (CBCA) to increase the number of educational options for students by allowing them to complete the CBCA for free, through June 1, 2020. The CBCA gives students the opportunity to apply to any number of 50 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“Exploring and applying to colleges can be overwhelming and costly for students and families - our goal is to lift as much of that burden as possible by eliminating application costs and providing guidance and support to ensure that each participating student completes and submits at least one application,” said State Superintendent Hanseul Kang. “This is an exciting time for our graduating seniors and I encourage them to take advantage of the resources available to them as they begin to navigate the college application process.”

Throughout the month of November, host sites will offer best practices for searching for colleges and writing admissions essays; help with transcript requests; and assistance in locating funding to pay for college through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG), Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program and other scholarship and grant opportunities.

DC College Application and Exploration Month is coordinated by OSSE and the DC College Application and Exploration Month Steering Committee, which includes the following organizations for 2019: DC College Access Program (DCCAP), DC public schools (DCPS), United Negro College Fund, University of the District of Columbia, Federal Student Aid, College Board, and Cesar Chavez PCS.

For more on DC College Application and Exploration Month and a list of high schools and community-based programs participating in DC College Application and Exploration Month activities, visit OSSE’s website.

The following institutions of higher education have waived application fees for DC students during November 2019:

• American University
• The Catholic University of America
• Gallaudet University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• The George Washington University
• Marymount University
• Montgomery College
• Northern Virginia Community College
• Prince George's Community College
• Trinity Washington University
• University of the District of Columbia
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore