They’re going to George Washington University—For Free!

George Washington University President Steven Knapp recently had the privilege of announcing nine “full ride” scholarships worth more than $200,000 each to academically talented D.C. high school seniors. Representing eight District high schools, the students were presented with GW-Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships in front of cheering family and friends.

“Nothing is more satisfying than to surprise an aspiring young student with a full scholarship,” said Dr. Knapp. “I look forward to welcoming these talented students to the GW community next fall.”

These nine will join 133 students who have received the high distinction since the program began 23 years ago. Nominated by their high school counselors, students are selected based on academic achievement, standardized test scores, recommendations, leadership qualities, community service, extracurricular activities and achievements.

All D.C. residents graduating from an accredited D.C. high school—public, charter or private—are eligible to receive the scholarship provided the student can demonstrate financial need. The scholarships are renewed annually as long as the recipients meet university academic progress standards.

The 2012 recipients of the GW—Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships include: Nia Christian, at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School; Taylor Young of Duke Ellington School for the Arts; Avonda Fogan of the Maret School; Tinsley Harris and Edwin Musibira of Woodrow Wilson High School; Darielle Anderson of Cesar Chavez Public Charter School; Samantha Brew of McKinley Technology High School; Francisco Palucho of Francis L. Cardozo High School; and Ayodele Akosile of the SEED School.

GW has committed more than $16.5 million to the program since it started and can boast of a 90 percent graduation rate with alumni employed in medicine, law, business, finance, communication, secondary and higher education, research, engineering and the performing arts. They also can be found in graduate schools across the nation and worldwide.

But GW isn’t the only local college committed to students in the District. Georgetown University awards special scholarships to up to five D.C residents with demonstrated financial need. All students from D.C. receive a financial aid package guaranteed to meet full need, and these scholarships “buy out” the loan component of the package. And American is committed to using its financial aid resources to meet the full demonstrated need of D.C. residents “to create access and choice for students.”

But Trinity Washington University enrolls more D.C. residents in its degree programs than any other private university in the nation—more than 750 students. Since 2000, Trinity has awarded more than $6.4 million in grants and scholarships to District students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences and who have received DCTAG funds. This year, D.C. residents attending Trinity received average scholarships totaling $6,261.

Dreams do come true in every corner of the city.