ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
OVERVIEW
The cost of tuition continues to rise – we have seen a whopping 33 percent increase over the past decade. Not to mention the cost burden of textbooks, living accommodations, and food. These accumulating costs put major strains on young people who dream of a better life through quality education.
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College graduation rates for Black students at four-year public institutions have not increased at the same rate as white students across the U.S. This stems from a lack of affordability. Hence, nearly 40 percent of students graduating from high school in June never see their first college class – because of costs. Most students burdened by the cost of college are from historically underrepresented, underserved Black and Latinx communities. In fact, six-year college completion rates for District of Columbia students – the vast majority being Black – are at 44 percent, nearly 20 points below the national average.
According to the Urban Institute, full educational attainment and equity in the Washington, D.C. region would mean more than 160,000 African Americans in the area with a college degree.
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Over $2 million in scholarship awards have been distributed
325 young adults have been able to further their education
"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
- Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black female astronaut
What We Do
Our mission is to ensure everyone in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is on the road to self-sufficiency through a variety of innovative programs. As an important and long-standing manifestation of its mission, GWUL and its young professionals' auxiliary, Thursday Network, are committed to awarding education opportunities through scholarships for college-bound students. In conjunction with numerous corporate sponsors, GWUL has facilitated the distribution of $2 million to more than 300 young adults in their higher education initiatives. The Greater Washington Urban League & Thursday Network will award several scholarships to deserving high school scholars and college students, ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 who live or attend school in Washington, D.C., Prince George's County, MD, and Montgomery County, MD.
IMPORTANT DATES
Scholarship Info Sessions
Application Submission Deadline:
APRIL 10, 2022
2022 Scholarship Application
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE
APRIL 10, 2022
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
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Completed Application
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Proof of Financial Need via a full copy of Student Aid Report (SAR) or first and second page of IRS Form 1040
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One Written Essay Response
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One Video Essay Response
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Two Letters of Recommendation
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Official Transcript
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Official Copy of SAT or ACT scores (if not provided on transcript)*
*High School Applicants Only
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the Scholarship Committee
Program Sponsors
Charlotte Elizabeth Yancey Eights Trust
SUSTAINABILITY COLLEGE FUND
Easing Student Financial Stress
THE COST OF COLLEGE IS JUST WAY TOO HIGH
As governments make fewer investments in higher education, the cost of tuition keeps rising. That increase continues putting a serious strain on young people who dream of a better life through a quality education.
Studies show that college graduation rates for Black students have not increased at the same rate as white students at four-year public institutions across the U.S. The leading culprit, according to a survey of Black and Latinx communities, was lack of affordability.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
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The average cost of college has increased by over 30 percent over the past 10 years
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Nearly 40 percent of students graduating from high school in June never see their first college class – because of costs
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Most students burdened by the cost of college are from historically underrepresented, underserved Black and Latinx communities
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College enrollment rates for Black and Latinx students in Prince George’s County, MD and Montgomery County, MD are also, on average, 5 to 20 percentage points behind their peers
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Six-year college completion rates for District of Columbia students – the vast majority being Black – are at 44 percent or nearly 20 points below the national average.
WE WORK TO MAKE EVERY DOLLAR COUNT …
That’s why we have a Greater Washington Urban League College Sustainability Fund (“CSF”) helps ease many of the financial burdens associated with a higher education. It’s not just tuition - every dollar counts when worrying about everything from textbooks to housing to food. Each year, the CSF continues to award more than $25,000 in merit and income-based scholarships to both high school graduates and students currently enrolled in a 4-year college.
Through the generous support of our partners and concerned individuals, the CSF offers financial support to struggling college students currently enrolled in a 4-year public institution anywhere in the United States. Student CSF recipients are permanent residents in one of the three jurisdictions GWUL serves, including the District of Columbia, Prince Georges County, MD and Montgomery County, MD.
Our goal: to decrease many of the financial burdens associated with higher learning and to increase the college graduation rate and future success of underrepresented populations in our region.