UPDATE 11/26/24: Due to the high volume of responses, we are not able to accept new applications for Year-Long Programs, at this time. The Application for Summer Programming will open on March 1, 2025.
Over the past 3 years, The Community Foundation has been proud to partner with Learn 24 to offer the Learn 24 Out of School Time Youth Scholarship Program. Together we have supported the distribution of nearly $1.4 million in scholarship funding to more than 300 youth for summer and after school programs ranging from tutoring and mentoring to music lessons, dance, and sports.
We are thrilled to announce that additional funds for youth Scholarships for DC Students are now available through Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program.
Learn24 is a network that supports equitable access to high-quality, Out-of-School-Time (“OST”) programs for the District’s students. Managed by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program provides funding to help students and their families – especially those with specific needs – access the programs they need to strengthen their education, health, and well-being outside of school.
Examples of programs that the scholarship may support include, but are not limited to, programs designed specifically for students with disabilities, advanced learners, and English Language Learners. The scholarship allows families to access summer programming or after-school programming during the school year – opportunities that are often inaccessible for students with specific needs and their families.
“The Community Foundation has done an OUTSTANDING job with this grant for my advanced son,” one parent shared. “I cannot emphasize enough why things of this sort are truly needed.”
“Thanks to this grant, my son has not missed a beat with any of his enrichment activities outside of school. This grant took a huge financial burden off of my pockets as a parent. Many will not understand the magnitude of why grants of this sort, processed by such a professional organization is needed. I hope that this will be a continuous thing for our beloved city.”
“I can’t begin to explain the impact this grant will have on my son’s future and on his confidence,” another parent shared. “The past 3 years have been strenuous and the amount of assistance he needs is not easily found and funded.”
“This funding will make sure his transition into middle school will be a little less difficult and more importantly, give him the foundation he needs in order to succeed in life.”
“My son, has received the OST scholarship for the past few years, starting from Pre-K4. He is currently a first grader at Lee Montessori East End Campus and is healthy, happy, and thriving! Thanks to these scholarship funds, my son has been given a safe space to explore and utilize his talents in cooking, building structures, dancing, and more!”
If you are interested in applying, even if you’ve applied previously, please read this post in full as there are several program changes since the prior cycle.
This year, The Community Foundation and Learn 24 are excited to share the 2024/2025 Scholarship application will include two cycles—Year-Round Programs and Summer Programs. The application form for Summer Programs application will open on March 1st, 2025.
Applicants who are seeking to engage in programs that are concurrent with the DC school year, beginning no earlier than August 26 (first day of school) and ending no later than June 17 (last day of school) are able to apply for the Year-Round scholarships.
Applicants who are seeking to apply for summer programs that start no earlier than May 1 and end no earlier than August 30 can apply for the Summer Programs scholarships in the spring.
This year, students will be able to apply for support for ONE program up to $5,000 in scholarships for Year-Round Programs and up to $3,000 for Summer Programs. Applicants who are living with a disability can access up to $10,000 for Year-Round Programs and $5,000 for Summer Programs. The minimum scholarship award is $1,000.
Scholarships are awarded based on individual need and availability of funding. Scholarship funds can be used for any OST activities that have a cost association up to the total scholarship amount.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted online, using the link provided. No hard copy, email or faxed proposals will be accepted. Applications are reviewed periodically by The Community Foundation and approved by Learn24.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to sign a FERPA release to allow The Community Foundation to share data on the scholarship award with DC Government. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 4 weeks of application submission.
Applicants are also required to submit a Vendor Information Form as an attachment to their application. This form is intended to provide information to The Community Foundation about the program that the applicant intends to apply for scholarship funds to attend. Once Scholarship Applicants identify a program they'd like to receive scholarship funding to attend, they should contact the program to fill out this form. Once completed, please scan or print out this form and attach to your Scholarship Application.
Click here for the link to the Vendor Information Form!
Applicants are responsible for collecting the required documentation from the vendor listed in the RFP and at the end of the Vendor Information Form, and are encouraged to start gathering this information now to be ready when the application portal opens.
If you have questions or are encountering technical difficulties please contact Alex Cahill-Sanidas for support at [email protected].
For those seeking additional information, click here to read the full RFP or watch this orientation video if you are interested in applying. La guía de solicitacíon y vídeo de orientacíon tambíen están disponíbles en Español.
If you have questions, please contact Yorman De La Rosa at [email protected]