Herb Block Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Herb Block Foundation
Overview
The Herb Block Scholarship provides financial support to students of all ages to attend community colleges in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The program supports roughly 100 students each year, enabling access to higher education for those who could not otherwise afford it. Awards are targeted at students demonstrating financial need and aim to remove cost barriers to post-secondary education.
Description: The scholarship covers tuition-related expenses and is intended for high school graduates, GED holders, and current community college students who meet program criteria. It operates as a last-dollar award that supplements other financial aid. Recipients may attend full time or part time at participating community colleges.
History of the Award: Established through Herb Block’s will, the scholarship reflects his belief that education is a cornerstone of a better life. The Foundation set up these scholarships to support post-secondary education for those with financial need, giving students a practical path to college who otherwise could not afford it.
- Supports approximately 100 students annually in the DC metro area.
- Open to learners of any age with financial need.
- Designed to supplement other financial aid as a last-dollar award.
Award Value
The scholarship is a last-dollar award designed to cover remaining educational costs after other aid is applied. It can be used for tuition, fees, books, and limited transportation and child care expenses. Awards are renewable as long as the student continues to meet eligibility requirements and has not reached the program’s monetary cap.
Award Value: The program provides up to $8,000 per academic year and up to $16,000 over the life of the scholarship. Renewal is allowed for up to five years subject to continued eligibility and the lifetime cap.
- Up to $8,000 per academic year; up to $16,000 total.
- Covers tuition, fees, books, and limited transportation/child care costs.
- Renewable for up to five years while meeting eligibility and cap limits.
Eligibility
Applicants may be any age and must be high school graduates, GED holders, or current community college students planning to enroll or continuing enrollment. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and be eligible for, though not required to receive, federal financial aid. Residency and immigration status requirements apply as noted by the program.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens or nationals, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or those who qualify for in-state tuition under the Maryland or Virginia Dream Acts; primary residents of specified DC-area jurisdictions; students attending participating community colleges at a minimum of six credits per semester; and those who have not yet earned more than 40 credits toward a degree.
- Open to U.S. citizens/nationals, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and Dream Act qualifiers.
- Primary residency must be within specified DC-area jurisdictions.
- Minimum enrollment of six credits per semester and fewer than 40 earned credits.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need and pursue available financial aid.
Participating Colleges
The Herb Block Scholarship is available at all campuses of several community college systems serving the DC region. Applicants must be attending or plan to attend one of the participating institutions to receive the award. These colleges provide the enrollment context in which scholarship funds are applied toward eligible educational costs.
Participating Colleges: Montgomery College; Northern Virginia Community College; Prince George's Community College; and the Community College of the District of Columbia.
- Available at all campuses of the listed community colleges.
- Recipients must be enrolled at a participating campus to receive funds.
- Applies to both full-time and part-time students (minimum six credits/semester).
Selection and Application Guidance
Selection emphasizes a combination of academic performance, demonstrated improvement, and financial need. Applicants are required to provide financial documentation—such as the Student Aid Report from the FAFSA or tax returns—for review by the program administrator. If selected, recipients who qualify for federal aid must complete their college’s financial aid process to finalize the award.
Selection Criteria: The program awards scholarships to students across races and genders, including high achievers, students who have shown academic improvement, GED holders, and adult learners. Financial documentation and demonstrated need are central to award decisions.
Application Guidance: Applicants are encouraged to use the application essays to describe their background, goals, and circumstances; recommendations are optional. For federal financial aid information and the FAFSA process, refer to studentaid.gov.
- Awards consider academic record, improvement, and financial need.
- Financial documentation (SAR or tax returns) is required for review.
- Essays are an important opportunity to explain personal goals and context; recommendations are optional.