DCTAG at risk!

[Anonymous]

Press release snippet from Rep. Norton’s office : “June 3, 2025
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that President Donald Trump's fiscal year (FY) 2026 District of Columbia budget is an affront to D.C. and that she will work to defeat its most harmful provisions, as she has in the past. The FY 26 budget would zero out funding for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG)“

What can we do to help fight this? Our kid is rising sophomore at a DCPS…

[Anonymous]

I don't mean to be cold hearted, but if you didn't see DCTAG getting defunded then you haven't been paying attention. This Congress actually stopped us from using our own tax dollars to pay our bills. What did you think was going to happen?

EHN will do nothing because she can do nothing. This is a Republican Congress. You'd be better off using her press release as toilet paper than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't mean to be cold hearted, but if you didn't see DCTAG getting defunded then you haven't been paying attention. This Congress actually stopped us from using our own tax dollars to pay our bills. What did you think was going to happen?

EHN will do nothing because she can do nothing. This is a Republican Congress. You'd be better off using her press release as toilet paper than anything else.

But thank god Bowser is concentrating on the important stuff like ensuring the Washington Commanders receive the largest stadium government subsidy in history.

[Anonymous]

OP here- I forgot this was DCUM where snarky comments are the norm. I was hoping that people’s best selves would show up to provide recommendations on how families might organize.

DCTAG actually makes it possible for low-middle and low income kids to have chance to attend public universities. Our family doesn’t own a home or have a HHI, so this really affects us. We’ve been saving in a 529 since she was a baby but compared to the cost of colleges now, it is a pittance.

If you are so jaded that you don’t want to help the DC youth community, please go on another thread. 🙏🏽

[Anonymous]

For many (most?) colleges, DC TAG does not come close to closing the gap between in and out of state tuition, OP. You should have known this and moved out of DC.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm with you. Congress *should* fund TAG, and DC residents deserve it.

But I'm not optimistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I forgot this was DCUM where snarky comments are the norm. I was hoping that people’s best selves would show up to provide recommendations on how families might organize.

DCTAG actually makes it possible for low-middle and low income kids to have chance to attend public universities. Our family doesn’t own a home or have a HHI, so this really affects us. We’ve been saving in a 529 since she was a baby but compared to the cost of colleges now, it is a pittance.

If you are so jaded that you don’t want to help the DC youth community, please go on another thread. 🙏🏽

How do you not have a household income?

If your income is that low, the need based financial aid you'll get at a private school is more than the $10,000 you'll get through DCTAG going to a public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I forgot this was DCUM where snarky comments are the norm. I was hoping that people’s best selves would show up to provide recommendations on how families might organize.

DCTAG actually makes it possible for low-middle and low income kids to have chance to attend public universities. Our family doesn’t own a home or have a HHI, so this really affects us. We’ve been saving in a 529 since she was a baby but compared to the cost of colleges now, it is a pittance.

If you are so jaded that you don’t want to help the DC youth community, please go on another thread. 🙏🏽

How do you not have a household income?

If your income is that low, the need based financial aid you'll get at a private school is more than the $10,000 you'll get through DCTAG going to a public school.

HHI stands for High Household Income…they have income, but it isn’t high.

OP, there are many state flagships that offer in state tuition for kids with good grades. University of South Carolina, University of Nebraska, University of Iowa, University of Oregon are just some that come to mind.

Cast a wide net when you apply…if your kid is very strong, apply to Top 15 schools which are very generous with aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I forgot this was DCUM where snarky comments are the norm. I was hoping that people’s best selves would show up to provide recommendations on how families might organize.

DCTAG actually makes it possible for low-middle and low income kids to have chance to attend public universities. Our family doesn’t own a home or have a HHI, so this really affects us. We’ve been saving in a 529 since she was a baby but compared to the cost of colleges now, it is a pittance.

If you are so jaded that you don’t want to help the DC youth community, please go on another thread. 🙏🏽

How do you not have a household income?

If your income is that low, the need based financial aid you'll get at a private school is more than the $10,000 you'll get through DCTAG going to a public school.

HHI stands for High Household Income…they have income, but it isn’t high.

OP, there are many state flagships that offer in state tuition for kids with good grades. University of South Carolina, University of Nebraska, University of Iowa, University of Oregon are just some that come to mind.

Cast a wide net when you apply…if your kid is very strong, apply to Top 15 schools which are very generous with aid.

No... HHI stands for HouseHold Income, and it's been used that way for years.

[Anonymous]

You are a fool if you rely on DC tag. If it’s still around by the time your kid gets to college then great. But chances are high it won’t be.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, OP for making us aware. I'm sorry that DCUM is DCUMing all over you.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if this means that funds for fall 2025 are not available or does the elimination start fall 2026?

[Anonymous]

I went to UDC for finance. I don't work for money anymore. I did go back for ECE, but classroom was hard in my 40s.
I'm kicking my kid out of my household. He is going to Nova and better be independent by the time he transfers to get in-state. I think it can be done.
DCTAG is not worth my time and the amount of paperwork.

[Anonymous]

No surprise and it's been shaky for a while!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to UDC for finance. I don't work for money anymore. I did go back for ECE, but classroom was hard in my 40s.
I'm kicking my kid out of my household. He is going to Nova and better be independent by the time he transfers to get in-state. I think it can be done.
DCTAG is not worth my time and the amount of paperwork.

It's actually very easy - if you have a completed 2024 tax return, it's just a simple online form and can be one in about 30 minutes.

Good luck with the whole "kicking my kid out of my household" thing. It sounds like they will be better off without you.