When I started to get college acceptances as a senior at Benjamin Banneker High School, I was so excited – until I saw the tuition cost.
The reality of paying for college can feel overwhelming, even for families who plan and save. I was one of them. I grew up in Ward 7 in a city of opportunities. I studied abroad in high school in Costa Rica. And I got my first job at 14 through the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), where I earned a paycheck and gained valuable work experience.
But when it came to higher education, the price tag seemed like a locked door. I wondered if I would have to scale back my dreams. My parents and I searched far and wide for any scholarship we could find. That’s when the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) program changed everything.
I worked with my parents to fill out the application on the DC One App, gathering all of our documents and working with the program staff at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). I spoke with Mr. Lincois Anderson so many times that he felt like family.
I wondered at the time if I would be one of the thousands of D.C. students awarded a DCTAG grant for college. It gave me hope. It would mean that I could choose the school that fit my goals, not just my budget, and that my hard work in high school would truly matter after all.
I made sure to do tons of research to decide which college would be the best fit for me. When I learned about the social work program and internship opportunities at Norfolk State University (NSU), it quickly became my number one choice. Getting that acceptance letter was such a proud and emotional moment. It made everything feel real.
I started to receive other scholarships and things were moving in the right direction. But I still fell short of my financial goal. College was just out of reach. My DCTAG award was the critical last piece of financial support I needed to enroll at NSU. When I got the DCTAG award it was a huge relief and motivation. It made attending NSU feel possible and confirmed that I was making the right decision.
Now, I’m halfway through my freshman year and really enjoying my social work classes. I’ve made lifelong friends, joined student organizations, connected with mentors, and grown from the experience of living away from home. None of this would have been possible without the support of DCTAG. It has opened doors to experiences that will define my future long after I’ve graduated.
In January, Mayor Bowser announced that the DCTAG award limit has increased from $10,000 to up to $15,000—a bold step that will help even more students like me. College costs continue to rise, and programs like DCTAG are lifelines for families who want their children to succeed. I’m excited that when I apply for tuition support for my sophomore year, I’ll be eligible to receive even more money to support my education and make my career dreams come true. We need to protect and strengthen this investment in D.C.’s youth.
I am deeply grateful to Mayor Bowser for investing in programs that support students like me and make Washington, D.C., such a great place to grow up. Whether it’s the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship, dual enrollment programs, or years of advocacy alongside other partners for an increase in DCTAG, these efforts level the playing field and send a clear message to D.C. students: Your dreams matter, and we’re investing in you
My D.C. education prepared me for the opportunities that DCTAG made possible. And I can’t wait to return home to the District after graduation and serve the city that has invested so much in me.
I hope my experience can help make every D.C. student believe that their college goals are possible. So make sure you apply for DCTAG and every other opportunity that D.C. has to offer us. With programs like this, the door to higher education is open. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
Evans, 18, is a freshman at Norfolk State University and was born and raised in Washington, D.C.