Students, educators and families gathered this week at Calvin Coolidge High School to celebrate the largest increase in the DC Tuition Assistance Grant program’s history. For the first time since DCTAG was created, both the annual award and the lifetime cap have been raised.
For years, college costs steadily climbed while the grant amount remained unchanged. That gap has now narrowed. Beginning this fall, eligible students can receive up to $15,000 per year, an increase from the previous $10,000 annual maximum. The lifetime cap has also risen from $50,000 to $75,000, giving students greater flexibility and longer-term support as they pursue their degrees.
The increase follows sustained advocacy and recent action by Congress. A key figure behind both the original program and the new expansion is Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who championed the creation of DCTAG in 1999 through the DC College Access Act.
DCTAG was designed to address a unique challenge facing District families. Unlike states, the District of Columbia does not operate its own state university system. As a result, DC students historically lacked access to in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities across the country. DCTAG helps bridge that gap by covering the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at eligible public institutions nationwide, as well as certain private colleges and universities.
Since its first awards were distributed during the 2000–2001 academic year, DCTAG has provided more than $716 million in tuition support to nearly 40,000 DC residents. Students have used the grants to attend 422 colleges and universities across the country. Interest in the program remains strong: more than 4,500 students were approved for DCTAG during the 2025–2026 school year — the highest number in more than five years.
The newly approved increase takes effect in August, just in time for the upcoming academic year. Applications are open now. The current DCTAG application period began February 2 and runs through August 21.
To apply, eligible students must complete the DC OneApp, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and provide required supporting documents. The DC OneApp must be completed and recertified each year. Detailed information and access to the application are available at osse.dc.gov/dctag.
For families navigating rising college costs, these changes represent meaningful support. The additional funding translates into real dollars that can reduce student loan burdens and expand college choices. As DCTAG marks its 25th year, District leaders are encouraging students and families to take advantage of the expanded benefit and to spread the word: DCTAG is stronger than ever, and applications are open.
