D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program: Amount and Schools

How OSP works

What you get	Up to $10,000 for grades K to 8 and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12 (2026-27). Federally funded under the SOAR Act. EdChoice reports an average of $11,318 in 2024-25.
Who qualifies	D.C. residents entering kindergarten through 12th grade whose family receives SNAP or earns no more than 185% of the poverty line. Returning students stay eligible up to 300%.
How full it is	1,409 students used a scholarship in 2024-25 (1,220 returning and 189 new, from 3,212 applications), according to Serving Our Children. Congress appropriates about $17.5 million a year.
When to apply	Applications for 2027-28 are open now. The cycle runs from September to April or May. You must also apply to and be accepted by the school.
How the money moves	Checks go to the school 2 to 3 times a year, made out to the parent, who endorses them.
What it covers	Tuition, uniforms, books and other school fees at a participating school.
Federal tax credit, 2027	The District of Columbia was not on the IRS opt-in list for the federal scholarship tax credit as of September 14, 2026.

Worth knowing: Funding is set by Congress each year. D.C. had not opted into the new federal tax credit as of September 14, 2026.

We read this on October 2, 2026 from: Serving Our Children, D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program; Serving Our Children, how it works; Serving Our Children, 2024-25 program fact sheet (participation); EdChoice, D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Rules change when the legislature meets, so check the official program site before you count on a number.

Related programs

School vouchers by state

Is there an income limit for OSP?

First-time applicants

SNAP recipient, or household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, 2027-28. A new applicant qualifies if the family receives SNAP or has income at or below 185% of the poverty threshold. Serving Our Children states only the percentage; no dollar chart is posted on its site. Source.

Renewing families

Household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (or SNAP), 2027-28. A student who already has the scholarship can renew each year while the family stays a D.C. resident with income at or below 300% of the poverty threshold or receives SNAP. Only the percentage is published. Source.

Who goes first. By federal law, if more new students apply than can be funded, Serving Our Children holds a lottery that gives weight to students who attended one of D.C.'s lowest-performing public schools the year before and to students with a brother, sister or other child in the household already in the program. Renewing students do not enter the lottery; students not picked go on a wait list.

How to apply for OSP

Create a family account on the OSP Family Portal, verify your email, and fill out the scholarship application for the coming school year (applications open in September; you can also apply at the Serving Our Children office or at an OSP event).
Upload proof of D.C. residency and proof of income for every adult 18 or older in the household, or proof of SNAP benefits, through the portal.
Apply separately to the participating private schools you want, early, because many close admissions before scholarships are awarded; Serving Our Children reimburses up to 5 application or testing fees per student.
After your documents are accepted, Serving Our Children tells you whether you are eligible; first-time applicants are entered in a lottery if there are more applicants than seats or funds, and those not picked go on a wait list.
Once your child has a scholarship and is accepted at a participating school, download the School Placement Form from the portal (in May) and give it to the school by the deadline.
During the year, scholarship checks come to you through the school 2 to 3 times; review the Invoice Confirmation Report with the school and endorse each check so it pays the school.
Renew every year through the portal with new residency and income documents.

What to have ready

Proof of D.C. residency: one of a recent paystub with D.C. tax withheld, D.C. Housing Authority assistance letter, shelter letter, current lease, or utility bill
Or two of: unexpired D.C. driver's license or non-driver ID plus D.C. vehicle registration or D.C. voter registration card
2025 or 2026 signed federal Form 1040 with all schedules, W-2s and 1099s for every adult 18 or older
Other income records for the year: TANF, Social Security, SSI (including for children), pensions, veterans benefits, child support or alimony
SNAP families: benefits letter or DC Health Link or District Direct screenshot with benefit dates, plus a driver's license or non-driver ID
If applicable: ward of D.C., special guardianship or name change papers
Optional: current report card or progress report
Residency or income affidavit if you cannot provide these documents

Go to the official application

Steps and limits read on October 2, 2026 from: Serving Our Children, Apply (2027-28); D.C. OSP Application Checklist and Deadlines, 2027-2028; Serving Our Children, Required Documents; Serving Our Children, FAQ; Serving Our Children, How It Works; Serving Our Children, Documents Library; D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program Guide for Families (September 2022); Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act, section 3006 priorities (Public Law 112-10, division C); SOAR Reauthorization Act, 2017 amendments to the priorities (Public Law 115-31, division C, title IX, sec. 906); D.C. OSP Program Fact Sheet, 2024-25 (as of June 2025). Limits change each year with the federal poverty guidelines, so confirm on the official site before you apply.

Run your own numbers

What would you pay?

Yearly tuition the school quoted Fees, books, uniforms OSP award Children

OSP pays between $10,000 and $15,000 depending on grade. We start with the lower figure. Change it if you know yours. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.

Which schools take it

Serving Our Children, the program administrator, publishes a school directory PDF dated September 2026 and a map on its Find a School page. Schools marked with the badge here are in the directory's list of participating schools by ward; we match by name.

31 schools on the OSP list, by town Browse private schools in the District of Columbia The state’s own list

Private schools in Washington (56 nearby)

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does OSP pay in the District of Columbia?

Up to $10,000 for grades K to 8 and $15,000 for grades 9 to 12 (2026-27). Federally funded under the SOAR Act. EdChoice reports an average of $11,318 in 2024-25.

Who is eligible?

D.C. residents entering kindergarten through 12th grade whose family receives SNAP or earns no more than 185% of the poverty line. Returning students stay eligible up to 300%.

Does it cover the full cost of private school?

Not always. The award is a set amount and every school sets its own price. Ask each school for tuition plus fees, then subtract the award. The calculator on this page does the sum for you.

How do I know a school accepts OSP?

Serving Our Children, the program administrator, publishes a school directory PDF dated September 2026 and a map on its Find a School page. Schools marked with the badge here are in the directory's list of participating schools by ward; we match by name.

When do I apply?

Applications for 2027-28 are open now. The cycle runs from September to April or May. You must also apply to and be accepted by the school.

Do I have to reapply every year?

Yes. The scholarship does not roll over; you must renew each year, and it is renewed as long as you still meet the income and residency rules.

Can my child use it for pre-K?

No. A child must be at least 5 years old by September 30 and entering kindergarten through 12th grade.

What does the scholarship pay for?

Tuition is paid first. If tuition is below the cap, the school may bill fees such as uniforms (up to $350 a year), before and after care, books, field trips and public transit.

What if tuition is more than the scholarship?

The scholarship goes entirely to tuition, and you can ask the school about extra financial aid or a payment plan for the rest.

Can the scholarship be used outside D.C. or for another child?

No. It can be used only at a participating private school in the District, and only for the child who was awarded it.

Will Serving Our Children help with private school application fees?

Yes. It reimburses up to 5 application or testing fees per student, including the TADS fee, when you send the reimbursement form with receipts.

D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program