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 targeted alumni support has produced more graduates accepted to college than any other public charter network in the District of Columbia.
As part of our commitment to ensure Friendship students enroll in, adjust to and succeed in college, our high school College and Career Counselors provide an array of services for high school students and their families. Here’s how we help develop college graduates:
- Early College credit courses
- College selection support
- Financial aid assistance
- SAT and ACT prep
- Scholarship application assistance
- College tours
- Workshops for students and families
- Character- and confidence-building activities
- College course selection support
- On- and off-college campus support
- Career pathways counseling
Additionally, once our alumni are enrolled in college, the Office of Alumni Affairs provides critical support to ensure college success and degree attainment for all of our college students:
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 is now open for Spring semester. 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 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.
Book Scholarship Fund:
All Friendship alumni who are currently enrolled in college are eligible for a $150 book scholarship per semester if certain criteria are met. Book 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 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 book scholarship is the end of the third week of the semester. No exceptions. To apply for a book scholarship, click here and complete the form.
Important Resources:
College Success Foundation DC Contact Info
Federal Loan Counseling and Management
Scholarship Databases:
http://www.collegescholarships.org
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search