Office of Alumni Affairs - Friendship Public Charter School

At Friendship, we celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of our high school graduates, but we recognize that the journey for these students is just beginning.

Our commitment to provide comprehensive targeted alumni support has resulted in Friendship’s college graduation rate being more than two and a half times the national average.

The Friendship Office of Alumni Affairs provides critical support to ensure college success and degree attainment for all of our high school graduates attending college:

Academic and Financial Aid Counseling:

The Office of Alumni Affairs offers comprehensive counseling, college transition services, financial aid restoration services, advocacy, resource referrals, and success advising for all Friendship Collegiate Academy and Technology Preparatory Academy graduates.

Click here to schedule an appointment with Ms. Brett Gotlib, the Manager of Alumni Retention and Support if you are in need of personalized counseling and advising services.

College Persistence Fund:

Application for Spring 2025 is open until February 15th. The purpose of the Friendship College Persistence Fund is to assist Friendship alumni, currently enrolled in college, in managing financial hardships that can hinder students from entering or persisting through college.

The College Persistence Fund is not an additional source of financial aid. It is up to students and parents to first seek all available government and college financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans prior to applying to the College Fund. The College Fund was established to help students pay for gaps in tuition, room & board, books, or travel after all financial aid and family resources are exhausted. College Fund application decisions will not be made until all other financial aid options have been attempted.

Application and Disbursement Process:

Applications will be accepted until October 15th for the fall semester and February 15th for the spring semester.
Applications must be completed online. Click here to complete an application.
Decisions will be made based on eligibility, need, and funding available at the time of the application.
Payment will be made directly to the organization or school that is the provider of the service, not to students.
Presentation of award letter and invoice will be required prior to any disbursement.

Program Criteria:

It is important that all applicants understand the purpose of the Emergency Fund and determine their eligibility prior to applying:

Applicants must demonstrate financial need by presenting a statement, invoice, or receipt.
Applicants must demonstrate how financial assistance will impact their undergraduate career.
Applicants must understand that funding is not guaranteed and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Situations that might qualify for support include:

Lack of funding for a meal plan and/or student housing;
Lack of funding for tuition and/or fees;
Lack of funding to compensate for an unpaid internship or job that is directly related to applicant’s course of study;
Lack of funding for transportation to and/or from a summer bridge program or other required campus-based academic intervention programs.

Situations that would most likely NOT qualify for support include:

Lack of funding for unrelated travel;
Lack of funding for study abroad programs;
Lack of funding for extracurricular activities that are not directly related to applicant’s course of study;
Any situation where assistance would merely postpone, rather than adequately address the need.

*If you have any questions regarding the application process or your specific application, please contact Ms. Brett Gotlib at 202.281.1700 or bgotlib@friendshipschools.org.

Textbook Scholarship Fund:

All Friendship alumni who are currently enrolled in college are eligible for a $150 textbook scholarship per semester if certain criteria are met. Textbook scholarships are issued at the beginning of each semester as soon as the following criteria are met:

Official grade report is submitted for the previous semester;
Official class schedule is submitted for the current semester;
An appointment is scheduled to meet with the Manager of Alumni Retention and Support. The meeting can be held by cell phone or Zoom if student is out-of-state. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Financial Aid Award Letter is submitted for upcoming school year (Fall semester only).

The deadline to apply for a textbook scholarship is the end of the third week of each semester. No exceptions. To apply for a textbook scholarship, click here and complete the form.

Wellness Grants:

Friendship Wellness Grants are designed to support alumni in achieving personal and professional success, regardless of whether they completed college. Recognizing that every path to success is unique, this program provides resources for both college and non-college pathways. Through strategic partnerships, alumni can access the following services:

Loan Default Prevention: Guidance to manage student loans effectively, regardless of completion status.
Financial Literacy: Budgeting and money management skills to achieve financial stability.
Career Coaching: Personalized support for exploring career opportunities, including skilled trades, hospitality, and other high-demand industries.
Professional Training and Certification: Access to programs that provide credentials for in-demand jobs, such as technical trades, healthcare, and information technology.
Graduate School and Advanced Education Preparation: Resources for alumni pursuing higher education or specialized training.
Professional Development: Resume building, job search assistance, and skill development workshops tailored to diverse career paths.
Entrepreneurial Support: Guidance for alumni exploring business ownership and self-employment opportunities.

By embracing a broader range of opportunities, the Wellness Grants ensure all Friendship alumni have the tools and resources they need to thrive in their chosen career paths.

Please complete the Wellness Grants application if you graduated from an accredited Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree program.

Involvement & Engagement Opportunities:

Alumni Week

Alumni Week normally occurs in December after the fall semester ends. This is the week to reconnect with your alma mater, your friends, and the wider Friendship community.

Alumni Week activities include:

Alumni Day at Collegiate Academy – alumni participate on panel discussions and visit classrooms to answer high school student’s questions related to the college experience.
Alumni Day at Tech Prep – alumni participate on panel discussions and visit classrooms to answer high school student’s questions related to the college experience.
Alumni Holiday Reception – All Friendship alumni gather to reconnect with former classmates, socialize, and network. This celebration also recognizes alumni achievements.
Alumni Day of Service – Alumni gather for a half-day of community service – packaging and preparing meals for the less fortunate at Food & Friends in Northeast D.C.

Planning for Alumni Week 2025 starts in September. Please click HERE to join the 2025 Alumni Advisory Committee.

Alumni Speaker Series

We are seeking Friendship Alumni (who have graduated college and are in their career or a successful entrepreneur) to volunteer to share their experiences and insights with Collegiate Academy and Tech Prep students as guest speakers on Career Day and as guest lecturers in the classroom.

Please complete this Interest Form if you want to join the Friendship Alumni Speaker Series.

Recognition and Awards

Each year, at the Celebration of Alumni Achievements during Alumni Week, we honor alumni for outstanding achievements in the following areas:

Community Service Award – This award honors alumni who have embodied the part of the Friendship mission focused on “citizens who contribute actively to their communities”.
Athletic Award – This award honors alumni who excelled in athletics during their high school years and pursued successful athletic careers in college and/or beyond college.
Award for Excellence in Academics – This award honors alumni who have pursued a career in academia (education) whether at the primary, secondary, or collegiate level.
Entrepreneur Award – This award honors alumni who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit, talent, and initiative by owning and/or operating their own successful business.
Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in any professional field. The award honors an alumna or alumnus whose achievements have brought distinction to themselves, credit to Friendship Public Charter School, and real benefit to their communities.
Sean Nathan Gough Persistence Award – This award recognizes alumni who demonstrate excellent endurance and commitment to their education. They have shown courage, resilience, and perseverance while remaining dedicated to their dreams.

*All Friendship alumni are eligible to be nominated for these awards, including those in college, graduated college, or did not attend or complete college.

To nominate a candidate for a Friendship alumni award, please review the eligibility criteria and complete the nomination form.

Eligibility:

Must have graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy or Technology Preparatory Academy (Tech Prep);
Must be living and physically able to participate in person at the Celebration of Alumni Achievements in December (no posthumous nominations);
Cannot have previously received an award in the category for which the nomination is submitted. However, previous award winners may be nominated for a different category.

Nominations are accepted each year from July 1st to October 31st. Award winners are notified before Thanksgiving and honored at the annual Celebration of Alumni Achievements in December.

Click Here – Nominations are accepted online.