Team DC College Scholarships

Application Deadline: February 13, 2026

Team DC Student-Athlete Scholarships recognize self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA+) student-athletes who have made positive contributions to their sport and enhanced the perception of the LGBTQIA+ community through their participation and leadership.

Recipients exemplify academic and athletic excellence and demonstrate promise as role models within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Residency: Must reside within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including: Arlington County (VA), Calvert County (MD), the District of Columbia, City of Alexandria (VA), Fairfax County (VA), Loudoun County (VA), Montgomery County (MD), Prince George’s County (MD), Prince William County (VA), St. Mary’s County (MD), Charles County (MD), and Anne Arundel County (MD).
• Identity: Must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or otherwise a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Team DC respects applicant privacy. You do not have to be public in your disclosure, but self-identification is required for consideration.

Education: Must be a current high school senior or enrolled in a post-secondary program, with demonstrated academic success.

Athletic Participation: Must actively participate in interscholastic or competitive athletics (e.g., club, recreational, or community leagues).

Eligible sports include but are not limited to: baseball, basketball, bowling, cheerleading, crew, cross country, dance, fencing, figure skating, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, marching band, rugby, sailing, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling.

Participation in other sports may also be considered please contact scholarship@teamdc.org.

College Enrollment: Must intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.

Conflict of Interest: Applicants may not be related to, or be the domestic partner of, any member of the Team DC Scholarship Committee, Executive Committee, or staff.

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application packet, including:

1. Application Form

2. Personal Essay (Maximum of 1,500 words)

Essays should address some or all of the following prompts:

• How has inclusivity of LGBTQIA+ athletes in school sports played an essential role in your life?
• How has your experience with your identity as part of the LGBTQIA+ community impacted your participation and involvement in athletics, school life, and life outside of school?
• As an athlete and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, what are your experiences or qualifications as a leader or ambassador for inclusion?

Essays may be uploaded with the application form, emailed to scholarship@teamdc.org, or mailed with other materials.

If submitting via Google Drive, please ensure file-sharing permissions are granted to scholarship@teamdc.org.

3. Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters must come from individuals familiar with the applicant’s character and qualifications (e.g., coach, teacher, faculty member, employer).

Each letter should include:

• The author’s relationship to the applicant
• Contact information (email and phone number)

Letters must be sent directly by the recommender  either via institutional email to scholarship@teamdc.org or by mail in a sealed envelope to the Team DC office.

Letters submitted by applicants themselves will not be accepted.

4. Official Transcript

Must be sent directly from a school administrator’s account to scholarship@teamdc.org or mailed in a sealed envelope to the Team DC office.

5. (Optional) Student Aid Report (SAR)

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a copy of their FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) showing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Financial need may be considered in cases where applicants are equally qualified.

This information may be included in your application, emailed, or mailed to Team DC.

Timeline

• Application Deadline: February 13, 2026
• Application Portal Open: NOW
• Notification of Scholarship Recipients: Late February 2026
• Scholar Recognition:

Recipients will be celebrated at the Team DC Night of Champions Gala, to be hosted in April 2026. Details forthcoming.

Attendance is encouraged but not required recipients and one guest attend free of charge.

Team DC Scholars will also be invited to serve as ambassadors at major Team DC summer events, including:

• Night OUT at the Washington Nationals, Washington Spirit, Washington Mystics, Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards and DC United, as well as other related events
• Capital Pride Parade and other related community celebrations