Trinity Partners With New D.C. Tuition Program

D.C. Futures Program Provides up to $8,000 in Tuition Assistance for Eligible D.C. Residents Seeking First Degrees in High-demand Career Fields: Health Science, Education and Information Technology.

February 1, 2022: Trinity Washington University is one of just three universities selected to partner with D.C. in the new D.C. Futures Program launched on February 1, 2022, by Mayor Muriel Bowser. D.C. Futures is a new college tuition and support program for D.C. residents seeking their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree in high-demand career fields, including information technology, health science and education. In addition to providing residents with up to $8,000 in tuition support, the D.C. Futures Program provides wrap-around services and supports, such as college coaching and access to emergency funds to help cover the cost of additional and unexpected expenses like food, housing, healthcare and child care. This support comes with a possible stipend of up to $1,500 per year from the D.C. program.

The program was created through a $12 million investment by Mayor Bowser and is offered through the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Mayor Bowser announced the new tuition program to kick off Fair Shot February, which highlights programs and opportunities that put Washingtonians on pathways to the middle class. “When we support the career dreams of Washingtonians, that is the type of fair shot that can change the trajectory of someone’s life,” said Mayor Bowser. “The D.C. Futures Program is a critical investment that will help break down traditional barriers to post-secondary education and provide more Washingtonians with the supports they need to succeed in college.”

“We are delighted that Trinity is part of this great new program to support D.C. residents to earn degrees in high-demand fields so they can be on pathways to economic security and greater success,” said President Pat McGuire. Trinity enrolls more D.C. residents than any other private university and is committed to providing a top quality, affordable education to students. Trinity offers a wide range of exceptional programs in health science and education and recently added programs in data analytics that are aligned with Capital CoLAB’s Digital Tech Credential program.

The D.C. application for the D.C. Futures Program opened on February 1: Apply here. The addition of D.C. Futures expands access to the District’s existing postsecondary support options in which Trinity and its students participate fully, including the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) and the Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program (Mayor’s Scholars). Applications for those programs also opened on February 1, 2022. Residents are encouraged to learn about each opportunity and apply for those that best suit their postsecondary plans. D.C. residents may be eligible to apply for all three opportunities, but awards depend on criteria that vary by program including the applicant’s high school, age, postsecondary institution, cost of attendance, family income, and college major. Learn more about all three programs and apply here.

Read news coverage of the new D.C. Futures Program:

• Washington Post: D.C. Launches Tuition Program for Degrees in High-demand Fields
• DCist: New Program Gives Eligible D.C. Residents $8,000 Tuition Assistance At Three Local Universities

These three postsecondary support options, which will offer more than $50 million dollars in financial aid and postsecondary supports to DC residents in the 2022-2023 award year. Together, these three programs will support the postsecondary plans of more than 5,500 D.C. residents.

In addition to Trinity, the universities selected to participate in the D.C. Futures program include the University of the District of Columbia and the University of the District of Columbia Community College and the Catholic University of America.

This spring, OSSE launched a pilot of the D.C. Futures Program, and more than 300 residents are participating, including 38 paraprofessionals and instructional aides. The paraprofessionals and instructional aides in the pilot will each receive tuition support, a stipend, and coaching as they earn their degree and pursue a path toward a lead teacher role.

Trinity Media Contact: Ann Pauley, Media Relations, pauleya@trinitydc.edu