Mary Jane Simpson Scholarship Fund

This four-year college scholarship is open to all DC Public and Public Charter School seniors.  It is made possible by three Quaker Meetings: Friends Meeting of Washington (FMW), Langley Hill Friends Meeting, and Bethesda Friends Meeting. The scholarship was established in 1981, and in 1993 it was named for Mary Jane Simpson, an FMW member who had been a social worker in the DC public schools.  It is supported entirely through donations by individuals and contributions by the three Meetings.

Selection Criteria: Students with demonstrated drive and determination to succeed in college, solid academic achievement, strong financial need,* success in overcoming past obstacles, strong values, and contributions to community.  Recipients are chosen by a committee of the three sponsoring Meetings.

*The committee focuses its awards on students whose families cannot contribute to their college education, which typically means families with household incomes well lesss than $50,000.  The committee uses the Federal FAFSA form to determine eligibility.

Important Dates:

  • Monday, February 15, 2022 Opening Date for Online Application Submission
  • Friday, April 29, 2022 Final Deadline for Submission of Complete Application
  • Saturday, June 25, 2022 Selected candidates are interviewed.
  • By July 1 2022 Notification of Awardees

Number of Scholarships to be Awarded this Year: 5 – 10.

Amount Awarded per Student: At least $6,000, disbursed $1,500 per year for years one through four of college.

Application Criteria and Instructions: Applications are online only. Access the application form here.

Questions:  Questions about the scholarship, criteria, requirements or for those experiencing technical issues with the online platform, or students unable to access the internet, please email mjsimpsonscholarship@gmail.com.