Learn24 OST Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation is proud to partner with DC Deputy Mayor for Education’s Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office), a member of the Learn24 network to offer the OST Youth Scholarship Program!
Together we have supported the distribution of than $2.6 million in scholarship funding to more than 500 youth for summer and after school programs ranging from tutoring and mentoring to music lessons, dance, and sports.
Learn24 network is the Bowser Administration’s hub for all after-school and summer program opportunities available for school-aged youth. The network promotes access to high-quality out-of-school time (OST) opportunities available for District families, bringing DC one step closer to Mayor Bowser’s vision of Afterschool for All.
Managed by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program provides funding to help students and their families – especially those with specific needs – access the programs they need to strengthen their education, health, and well-being outside of school.
Examples of programs that the scholarship may support include, but are not limited to, programs designed specifically for students with disabilities, advanced learners, and English Language Learners. The scholarship allows families to access summer programming or after-school programming during the school year – opportunities that are often inaccessible for students with specific needs and their families.
“This funding will make sure his transition into middle school will be a little less difficult and more importantly, give him the foundation he needs in order to succeed in life.”
“My son, has received the OST scholarship for the past few years, starting from Pre-K4. He is currently a first grader at Lee Montessori East End Campus and is healthy, happy, and thriving! Thanks to these scholarship funds, my son has been given a safe space to explore and utilize his talents in cooking, building structures, dancing, and more!”
“Thanks to the OST Program, several of our students were able to take part in a transformative study abroad experience in Ghana. Over the course of two powerful weeks, our student leaders engaged in cultural exchange, social justice work, university lectures, and service learning. They visited historical landmarks such as the Elmina Slave Castle and the Assin Manso River, interned with a local real estate agency, and facilitated community-based projects. Through it all, they strengthened their cultural identity, deepened their purpose, and returned home inspired to lead change in their communities.”
“The Community Foundation has done an OUTSTANDING job with this grant for my advanced son,” one parent shared. “I cannot emphasize enough why things of this sort are truly needed.”
“Thanks to this grant, my son has not missed a beat with any of his enrichment activities outside of school. This grant took a huge financial burden off of my pockets as a parent. Many will not understand the magnitude of why grants of this sort, processed by such a professional organization is needed. I hope that this will be a continuous thing for our beloved city.”
“I can’t begin to explain the impact this grant will have on my son’s future and on his confidence,” another parent shared. “The past 3 years have been strenuous and the amount of assistance he needs is not easily found and funded.”
About the OST Program
The Community Foundation and Learn24 are excited to share the 2026/2027 Scholarship application will include two cycles—Year-Round Programs and Summer Programs. The application portal for the Fall round will begin accepting applications on October 19th, 2026 at 9am.
This year, School-Year and Year-Round program students are able to apply for support for ONE program with their scholarship. Standard award caps are set at $7,500 for general Year-Round programs and $5,000 for School-Year programs. Applicants who are living with a disability and are enrolling in programming that solely and specifically serves youth with disabilities could access up to $10,000 for Year-Round Programs and $7,500 for School-Year programs. The minimum scholarship award is $1,000. Students and vendors who received scholarships in the 2025-26 cycle who have not submitted their final reports will need to submit those reports before being eligible for additional awards.
Scholarships are awarded based on individual need and availability of funding. Scholarship funds can be used for any OST activities that have a cost association up to the total scholarship amount.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted online, using the link provided. No hard copy, email or faxed proposals will be accepted. Applications are reviewed periodically by The Community Foundation and approved by Learn24.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to sign a FERPA release that will be included in the application. This release will allow The Community Foundation to share data on the scholarship award with DC Government. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions after the Community Foundation receives approval from DC government, which generally occurs in about 4 weeks from submission.
Applicants are also required to submit a Vendor Information Form as an attachment to their application. This form is intended to provide information to The Community Foundation about the program that the applicant intends to apply for scholarship funds to attend. Once Scholarship Applicants identify a program they'd like to receive scholarship funding to attend, they should contact the program to notify them of the application process. While you complete your online application, there will be an opportunity for applicants to enter the email address for the point of contact at the preferred vendor to send them the application sections they are required to complete.
If you have questions about the vendor information form or are encountering technical difficulties please email us at [email protected].
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