Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Akerson Family Foundation

Here’s a clearer, teacher-style version you can share with students — organized, direct, and with the most important points up front.

Overview
- The Akerson Family Foundation (AFF) Scholarship is a renewable award for up to four years, with a maximum total value of $50,000 per student (up to $12,500 per academic year). It’s intended for first-generation, college-bound seniors from specific school districts in the DC area who show strong academics, financial need, and community/school involvement.

Who this is for
- High school seniors graduating in Spring 2026 from one of these districts:
- Alexandria City (VA) Public Schools
- Arlington (VA) Public Schools
- District of Columbia Public Schools
- Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools
- Falls Church City (VA) Public Schools
- Planning to enroll in a non-profit, accredited four-year college/university or community college in Fall 2026 (for‑profit schools are excluded).
- First-generation college students: for AFF, that means a student whose parent(s) have not earned an undergraduate degree in the United States.
- FAFSA- or VASA-eligible.
- Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below $25,000.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the end of junior year.

How to apply
- Apply online here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=akerson
- Deadline: submit the completed application by 11:59 PM (EST) on March 2, 2026.
- Finalists will be interviewed by AFF staff or scholarship committee members (interviews take place in April 2026).

Selection and timeline
- Finalist notifications: by early April 2026 (via email).
- Finalist interviews: April 2026 (Google Meet or phone).
- Recipients notified by May 1, 2026.
- Up to 25 students will be selected as winners for the 2025–26 cycle.

Award details
- Award amount: up to $12,500 per academic year, renewable for up to four years (maximum total of $50,000).
- Use of funds: payments are made directly to the student’s institution and may cover billed education-related costs such as tuition, on-campus housing, meal plans, and school fees. Summer classes and study-abroad costs are eligible only if requested in advance and approved.
- If the billed balance for the year is less than $12,500, AFF will pay only the balance due. If there is no balance or the account has a credit, no payment will be made that year.
- Payment schedule: the full yearly amount is disbursed to the institution by August 15 and is typically split evenly between fall and spring unless a different split is requested.
- Recipients must sign the AFF Information Packet/Award Agreement, which explains renewal requirements and grants AFF permission to publish the student’s name, award amount, college choice, and photo.

Renewal requirements (each year)
- Enrollment: registered at a post-secondary institution and enrolled in at least 15 credit hours per semester.
- Academic standard: minimum semester GPA of 2.70.
- Documentation: submit official transcripts and upcoming enrollment schedules each semester before the next payment is issued.
- Consequences: two consecutive semesters with GPA below 2.70, or fewer than 15 credit hours completed in a single semester, can result in loss of the scholarship.
- Leaves/withdrawals: you must notify AFF in writing if you withdraw or take a leave of absence and explain the circumstances — failure to notify may lead to immediate loss of funding.
- Conduct expectations: recipients are expected to be responsible members of their school and community. Any disciplinary action must be reported to the Scholarship Committee within two weeks. Reported violations will be reviewed and may affect continued funding.
- Keep your contact information current with AFF.

Selection criteria
- AFF Scholarship Committee chooses recipients based on: first-generation status, academic achievement, financial need (SAI), school/community engagement, and the application/interview performance.

A few practical tips (from a teacher)
- Start the FAFSA (or VASA) early so you have your SAI ready.
- Ask for official transcripts sooner rather than later.
- Prepare for the interview: be ready to talk about your academic goals, community involvement, and how this scholarship would help.
- Proofread your application and have a counselor or teacher review your essays.

Questions or special requests (summer/study abroad)
- For more information or to request payment for summer classes or study abroad: contact@affscholars.org

If you want, I can turn this into a one-page handout you can print for students or a checklist they can use while applying. Which would you prefer?