Dear Washingtonians,  

For the past 25 years, the DC Tuition Assistance Grant program (DCTAG) has helped nearly 40,000 Washingtonians afford college and earn degrees. In that time, DC residents have attended more than 700 colleges and universities nationwide. Just this school year, 5,057 students were approved for DCTAG — the highest number of eligible students in over five years. Last school year, more than 4,500 students received DCTAG tuition assistance. We also know, however, that in the years since the program was founded in 2000, the cost of attending college has skyrocketed. So, for the past decade, we have advocated and worked with our partners in Congress to increase the annual award as well as the lifetime cap.

This week, we got some good news out of Congress: the initial draft of the bipartisan Financial Services and General Government spending bill includes the first-ever and much-needed increases for DCTAG, raising the maximum annual award from $10,000 to $15,000 and the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000. These increases are a critical step toward addressing rising college costs and expanding access to affordable higher education for even more DC residents.

The bill also includes protections for our local funds to prevent what we experienced last year when we essentially lost a billion dollars in the middle of the fiscal year. It also includes $90 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund. As federal activity increases and more visitors come to our nation’s capital for the yearlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, this funding is essential for ensuring that Washington, DC can continue to support our federal partners in keeping our streets and public spaces safe.

We thank our partners in Congress for including these critical provisions that will benefit Washington, DC – residents and visitors alike. We are grateful to the House of Representatives for approving this measure and we urge the Senate to act swiftly to pass it.

Sincerely, 

More than 250 restaurants across DC are participating in the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week. Taking place from Monday, January 19 through Sunday, January 25, this is a great opportunity to enjoy multi-course brunch and lunch menus for $25 or $35, and dinner menus for $40, $55, or $65, with many spots offering cocktail, wine, or non-alcoholic pairings.

Make your reservations today!

• When: Monday, January 19 through Sunday, January 25
• View locations and make reservations at: rwdmv.com

The Washington Wizards, in partnership with INROADS, the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation (MSEF) and the Leonsis family are inviting high school seniors in the DMV area to participate in the fourth annual E.B. Henderson Essay Contest. The contest honors Dr. Edwin Bancroft (E.B.) Henderson and his legacy and contribution to DC athletics.