"Together with DC CAP, we're taking a critical next step toward closing the college opportunity gap for D.C. students. Washington, D.C. isn't just where American University is located, it's our home, and we have a responsibility to ensure that talented students across the District can see a path to an AU education," said Jeremy Lowe, interim vice president of Undergraduate Enrollment Management at American University. "Our partnership with DC CAP strengthens that commitment by helping more D.C. students obtain access, afford, and ultimately thrive in college."
American University joins DC CAP's broader network of University Partners, which provide eligible D.C. students with the support and structure they need to thrive in college, from application to degree completion. Students who participate in the University Partnerships program are more likely to persist through college than their peers: 85% of freshmen continue on to their sophomore year, and 57-100% graduate from college within five years, 3-5 times the national average, reducing the likelihood of accruing unnecessary educational debt and opening the door to greater economic and career opportunities.
As a DC CAP University Partner, American University certifies its commitment to ensuring every college-ready D.C. student has the financial resources, coaching, and community they need to succeed. American University will collaborate closely with DC CAP to maximize financial aid availability, stacking DC CAP scholarships, Pell Grants, D.C. Tuition Assistance Grants (DCTAG), and institutional aid with the goal of helping D.C. students finish college with little to no debt. The partnership will also provide tailored academic and socio-emotional support to D.C. students, from enrollment to graduation.
"For so many of our scholars, staying close to the community they grew up in matters, and having one of the nation's top universities just a short Metro ride away means they don't have to choose between a great education and home," said Eric Waldo, executive director of DC CAP. "We couldn't be more thrilled to be joining forces with American University. This partnership will help turn proximity into opportunity, and ensure that more students in the District can access the support they need to learn and thrive."
Students who are interested in participating in DC CAP programs can confirm their eligibility by taking a short online survey, which opens on October 15, and then applying in January 2027. For more information, please visit www.dccap.org/programs/university-partners.
About the DC College Access Program
The DC College Access Program (DC CAP Scholars) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the higher education achievement gap for D.C. students by helping them access and attain meaningful college degrees with little to no debt. DC CAP Scholars believes that a student's personal circumstances should never determine their ability to succeed. By leveraging dollars, connecting students to better match universities, and providing wraparound support, DC CAP Scholars works to ensure students graduate ready to compete in today's economy.
About American University
American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU's faculty, students, staff, and alumni shape the future from artificial intelligence to civic life and the sciences. Building on our 133-year history of education and research, AU is committed to addressing the world's pressing issues.
SOURCE DC College Access Program
Share this article