Scholarship Opportunities
Supportive financial programs for qualifying residents pursuing higher education, vocational training, and professional development programs.
Applications for the 2026 DCHA’s Commitment to Excellence Scholarship Program (CESP) are closed.
Additionally, applications for the 2026 HAI Group’s Resident Scholarship Program & 2026 DC Housing Finance Agency’s (DCHFA) Todd A. Lee Scholarship are closed.
Please check back next year to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Commitment to Excellence Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a DCHA Public Housing resident or a Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participant
- Must be enrolled at an accredited college, university, or trade/technical school in the fall
- Must have at least a 2.0 GPA or a 225 GED score
- Must have submitted a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
Program Period
Application Period
April – June
Award Notifications & Ceremony
July
Commitment to Excellence Scholarship Program Overview
The annual Commitment to Excellence Scholarship Program (CESP) accepts applications from students who are DCHA Public Housing or HCVP household members. These scholarships, which are paid directly to the learning institution, can pay for books, tuition, equipment, or other items needed to assist in studies.
Contact Information
For any questions, send an email to the Office of Resident services with “Commitment to Excellence” or “CESP” in the subject line.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
More scholarship programs from other District organizations are also available to DCHA residents.
HAI Group’s Resident Scholarship Program Overview
Applications for the 2026 HAI Group’s Resident Scholarship Program are closed.
Please check back next year to apply.
Residents of DCHA public housing communities and households receiving a Housing Choice Voucher administered by DCHA may be eligible to apply for the HAI Group’s 2025 Resident Scholarship Program. The program will award 20 scholarships of $6,000 directly to the educational institution (college, university or technical school) in the fall.
For more information, including full eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and the online application, please visit https://www.housingcenter.com/scholarships/.
Application Period
Deadline
3:30 PM ET on Friday, June 5, 2026
DC Housing Finance Agency’s (DCHFA) Todd A. Lee Scholarship
Applications for the 2026 DC Housing Finance Agency’s (DCHFA) Todd A. Lee Scholarship are closed.
Please check back next year to apply.
The Todd A. Lee Scholarship commemorates the former executive director and CEO of the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency, Todd A. Lee, who led DCHFA from April 2016 until his death in January 2020. This scholarship program benefits undergraduate and graduate students who aspire to be future contributors to the field of affordable housing. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of the District of Columbia, or demonstrate prior long-term residency through official transcripts.
For more information, including full eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and the online application, please visit https://www.dchfa.org/todd-lee-scholarship/.
Application Period
Deadline
TBD
Explore Other Resident Programs
DCHA offers a variety of programs and services to support resident success and well-being.