Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Akerson Family Foundation

Introduction
The Akerson Family Foundation (AFF) Scholarship is a renewable award for up to four years, with a maximum total value of $50,000 per student. Each year AFF selects a group of first-generation, college-bound high school seniors from designated Washington, D.C. area public school systems who show strong academics, demonstrated financial need, and meaningful school or community involvement.

Application
Apply online through the AFF application portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=akerson
Deadline for submitting a completed application: 11:59 PM (EST) on March 2, 2026.

Eligible applicants
- Must be a high school senior graduating in Spring 2026 from one of these systems: Alexandria City (VA) Public Schools, Arlington (VA) Public Schools, District of Columbia Public Schools, Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools, or Falls Church City (VA) Public Schools.
- Must be planning to enroll in Fall 2026 at an accredited four-year college/university or accredited community college (for‑profit institutions are not eligible).
- Must be eligible for FAFSA or VASA.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 as of the end of junior year.
- Must qualify as a first-generation college student; for AFF purposes this means the applicant’s parent(s) have not earned an undergraduate degree in the United States.
- Must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $25,000 or less.
- Finalists will be required to participate in an interview with AFF staff and/or scholarship committee members.

Selection process and timeline
- Recipients are chosen by the AFF Scholarship Committee based on first-generation status, academic performance, demonstrated financial need, involvement in school or community activities, and the strength of the application and interview.
- Applicants selected as finalists will be notified by email in early April 2026. Finalist interviews will take place in April 2026 via Google Meet or by phone.
- Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1, 2026.

Award details
- For the 2025–26 cycle, up to twenty-five (25) students will be named AFF Scholarship winners.
- Each recipient may receive up to $12,500 per academic year, renewable for up to four years (maximum total award of $50,000).
- Scholarship payments are intended for school‑billed education costs, which may include qualified tuition and fees, on‑campus housing, meal plans, and other billed school charges. If the billed balance for the academic year is less than $12,500, only the billed balance will be paid. No payment will be made for a semester with a zero balance or a credit balance.
- Summer coursework and study abroad expenses can be paid from scholarship funds if requested in advance and approved subject to additional restrictions. For details contact AFF at contact@affscholars.org.
- Annual scholarship funds will be disbursed by August 15 each year. Unless the student requests otherwise, the award will be split evenly between the Fall and Spring semesters. AFF sends payments directly to the student’s institution; funds are not paid directly to students.
- To receive funds, recipients must sign the AFF Information Packet/Award Agreement, which outlines scholarship rules, renewal conditions, and includes permission for AFF to publish the student’s name, award amount, chosen college/university, and photo on AFF’s website and other materials.

Renewal requirements (yearly)
To maintain renewal eligibility a student must:
- Be enrolled at a postsecondary institution and registered for a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester.
- Earn a semester GPA of at least 2.70 (per semester).
- Submit official transcripts and the upcoming semester’s enrollment schedule prior to each payment being released to the college or university.
- Note that two consecutive semesters with a GPA below 2.70, or completing fewer than 15 credit hours in a single semester, are grounds for scholarship termination.
- If taking a leave of absence or withdrawing for a semester, the student must notify AFF in writing and explain the circumstances; failure to do so may result in immediate loss of the award.
- Report any disciplinary actions at school or in the community to the Scholarship Committee within two weeks. Failure to report disciplinary matters can lead to loss of the scholarship. Reported violations will be reviewed and may result in revocation depending on the circumstances.
- Promptly inform AFF of any changes to contact information (mailing address, phone number, email).

Contact
For questions about using funds for summer or study abroad, or other inquiries, email: contact@affscholars.org.