APPLY/RENEW for the 2024-25 school year!

Click to Apply / Renew

First Time Applicants

Families applying for the first time should create a family account. Once the account is created and you have verified your email address you will then be able to fill out your scholarship application. Applying for the scholarship is a completely separate process from applying to the private school of your choice. We advise families to submit their private school applications early. Please click here to view the participating private schools affiliated with our program.
Apply at an Event
Families who submit applications at an OSP event will have their applications reviewed by an OSP team member. Our team hosts several events between October and April at community recreation centers, public libraries, and economic service administration centers.
Event Calendar

Who is Eligible for a Scholarship?

    • Children who are eligible for a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship must be current D.C. residents
    • Be 5 years old or older by September 30th to enter Kindergarten through 12th grade for the upcoming school year
  • Be either recipients of SNAP benefits (food stamps) OR meet income guidelines: at or below 185% of the income threshold for first time applicants or 300% of the income threshold for renewing families.

After Submitting the Online Application

Once you submit an application you will need to provide documentation to prove DC residency, and financials in the family portal. View our checklist to learn what documents are accepted. Parents/guardians who have confirmed application submissions will begin to receive notification of the status of their student’s application documents. This process may take several weeks to complete, depending on the type of documents you submit.

My Application is Complete

Once you receive notification that all your documents submitted through the family portal are accepted, we will notify you of your eligibility status. For first time applications you will be entered into a lottery if more students apply than slots available or scholarship funds available. For returning applicants your eligibility notice will provide details on the next step.

Scholarship Awards

For first time applicants, scholarships may be awarded by lottery. If lotteries are necessary, Serving Our Children will notify parents/guardians of the dates and deadlines for each lottery, and  will notify parents/guardians of their award status in a timely manner. Lottery dates will also be posted on the SOC calendar. All documents must be received and approved, and the student must be deemed eligible, to be entered into a lottery. Students entered into a lottery, but not selected for a scholarship will be placed on a wait list. If additional awards are available, students will be selected from the waitlist.

Using a Scholarship

The scholarship awards up to $16,070 for high school and up to $10,713  for elementary and middle schools. Scholarships can be used for tuition, uniforms, transportation, and other school related items. To learn more on using your scholarship, visit How it Works page.

X