The 2025 Mayor's Opportunity Scholarship Application is Open! Click Here to Apply
The application closes Monday, July 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
Award Amount
The Mayor's Opportunity Scholarship will provide 75 scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each for young adults ages 18-24, who have successfully attained a high school diploma or equivalent, participated in 2025 MBSYEP, and enrolled in post-secondary education or occupational skills training or the military.
Eligibility Criteria
The Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship Youth Scholars will be selected based on:
- Successful participation in 2025 MBSYEP
- Completed application and essay response to the provided prompt
- Enrollment in an accredited post-secondary education institution or occupational skills training program
- Demonstrated unmet financial need
- Two letters of recommendation are required (one must be from your current Host Site Supervisor)
- Willingness to serve as an MBSYEP Ambassador
- Applicants entering the military or ROTC who meet the above criteria may also be considered
- Selected applicants may be required to interview
Participation Agreement
The Mayor's Opportunity Scholarship Scholars agree that the scholarship will be paid directly to the education or training institution and will be used specifically for the purpose of educational expenses, college financial assistance, training and equipment cost, or support of post-secondary activities in accordance with the scholarship participation agreement.
For more information on the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship program, please contact mos.oyp@dc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at noon.
2. When will the 2025 MOS application close?
Monday, July 7, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
3. When will I receive my decision?
Decisions will be sent out the week of July 27, 2025, to the email address on file.
4. I am not yet 18, can I apply?
If you are 18 by December 31, 2024, you may apply, or you have been accepted into a post- secondary institution.
5. I have not been accepted into a post-secondary institution at time of submission, can I still apply?
You must be able to provide proof of acceptance into a post-secondary institution at the time of application submittal.
6. If I am choosing between several post-secondary offers, can the scholarship be sent directly to me?
The scholarship funds will be paid directly to the accredited post-secondary institution indicated on the MOS application. Scholarship funds will not be sent directly to the awardee.
7. What happens if I cannot attend the Fall 2025 semester, and I have been awarded the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship?
All recipients must be enrolled and attending their post-secondary institution in the Fall of 2025. Termination or withdrawal from your post-secondary institution will result in forfeiture of the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship.
8. I am no longer participating in MBSYEP 2025, may I still be considered for the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship?
All applicants are evaluated based on attendance and participation in 2025 MBSYEP. Those not participating in 2025 MBSYEP are not eligible to receive the scholarship.
9. Can I complete the application on a mobile device?
We recommend that the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship application be completed on a computer or a laptop.
10. I received the Mayor’s Opportunity Scholarship last year, can I apply?
Yes, participants that applied for and received the Major’s Opportunity Scholarship last year are eligible to apply this year.
11. How many letters or recommendations do I need?
You must upload two letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters can be from anyone that is not a family member.