The Herb Block Foundation Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities

The Herb Block Foundation Scholarship, established in 2005, provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education at community colleges in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This scholarship aims to support high school graduates, community college students, and adult learners who demonstrate financial need and a desire to continue their studies.

Herb Block's Vision

Herb Block, a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, dedicated his life to defending fundamental freedoms and improving the lives of the underprivileged. His commitment extended to supporting charitable and educational programs. In his will, he advocated for the creation of scholarships for post-secondary individuals with financial need. According to Mrs. Rickard, Executive Director Emerita of the Foundation, "Mr. Block saw education as a cornerstone for a better life." He aimed to provide opportunities for students who had completed high school but found the cost of college prohibitive.

Scholarship Overview

The Herb Block Scholarship is a "last dollar" scholarship, meaning that it covers unmet educational costs after all other financial aid resources have been considered. The scholarship can be valued at up to $8,000 per academic year, with a maximum of $16,000 awarded over the life of the scholarship. The actual award amount is determined in conjunction with the school’s financial aid office, based on the student's financial need.

Coverage

The scholarship covers various educational expenses, including:

Tuition
Mandatory fees
Books
Supplies
Limited transportation

Renewal

Recipients can renew their scholarships for up to five years, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria and have not reached the monetary cap.

Read also: The Coaching Journey of Herb Hand

Number of Awards

Approximately 100 scholarships are granted each year, typically divided between the fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Herb Block Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria related to residency, citizenship, academic status, and financial need.

Residency and Citizenship

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen or national
Be a Permanent Resident Alien
Have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status by U.S. Customs and Immigration Services
Qualify for in-state tuition under the Maryland Dream Act or Virginia Dream Act

Geographic Location

Applicants must be primary residents of one of the following areas:

Washington, D.C.
Montgomery or Prince George’s Counties in Maryland
Cities of Alexandria or Falls Church in Virginia
Counties of Arlington or Fairfax in Virginia

Academic and Financial Criteria

Applicants must be eligible for federal financial aid (though not necessarily receiving it).
Applicants must be attending or planning to attend one of the participating community colleges on a full-time or part-time basis (minimum of 6 credits per semester).
Applicants must not have earned more than 40 credits towards a degree.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and, if eligible, apply for financial aid.

Participating Community Colleges

The Herb Block Foundation Scholarship is available for students attending the following community colleges:

Montgomery College, MD
Northern Virginia Community College, VA
Prince George’s Community College, MD
Community College of the District of Columbia

Selection Criteria

Scholarships are awarded to students of all races and genders based on several criteria, including academic performance and financial need.

Academic Performance

The scholarship seeks to recognize a diverse range of students, including:

High achievers ('A' and 'B' students)
Students who have shown improvement during their academic career
GED holders
Adult learners

Financial Documentation

Scholarship applicants must provide financial documentation to demonstrate need. This can include:

A copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) generated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Copies of tax returns for review by the program administrator

If selected, scholarship recipients eligible for federal student aid must complete the financial aid application process at their college. More information is available at www.studentaid.gov. For undocumented students or other students that do not qualify for the FAFSA, they can complete the MSFAA (Maryland State Financial Aid Application) or MDCAPS.

How to Apply

Applicants can access the application through one of two methods:

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Direct Link

Applicants can go to aim.applyISTS.net/HerbBlock.

Program Key

Go to aim.applyISTS.com
On the Homepage, select "Add new Application"
Enter the Program Key: HerbBlock

Applicants experiencing any issues should contact ISTS Program Support.

Application Deadlines

The Herb Block Scholarship has deadlines for both the fall and spring semesters. Be sure to apply by the June or November deadline to be considered for the Fall or Spring award, respectively. The deadline for the 2026 spring semester is November 10th, 2025.

Impact and Testimonials

The Herb Block Scholarship has made a significant difference in the lives of numerous students. Recipients express gratitude for the financial relief and the opportunity to pursue their educational goals.

Student Quotes

Yishaq A. Woldesenebet (July 2025): "Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity, I am so humbled and grateful to be awarded such a prestigious award. I've just submitted my acceptance form. Can't wait to use this award towards my career and eventually be a leading mentor in my field and community!"
Marinobi Medrano (May 2024): "This scholarship has been instrumental in my academic journey, allowing me to focus on my studies without the added stress of financial burdens… This scholarship has truly made a difference in my life, and I am committed to making the most of this incredible opportunity."
Raul Orellana Andrade (May 29, 2024): "Receiving your assistance with my tuition costs has provided me with the peace of mind I need to focus on my education. I plan on becoming a clinical psychologist and help other members of our community who struggle with mental health and substance abuse disorders live better lives."
Miguel Angel Zapata Tito (May 2022): "I want to thank The Herb Block Foundation for the help that was given to me to make the gap of reaching my goals smaller and also for inspiring me to help others in the near future."
Marlen Perez (May 2020): "I'm so grateful for everyone including this scholarship because now I'm a step closer to my dreams. At first it felt impossible but now I'm getting ready for my second year."
Carolina Avila (January 2021): "When the pandemic hit, I lost my job and the amount I received helped my son and I with food and rent needs… I was able to focus on my classes and perform well… I'm thankful you were a part of my success story, thank you for believing in me!"
Nikita Thompson (June 2019): "Those memories we share would not be possible without the help of the Herb Block scholarship and the dedicated people like all of you, who are committed to providing opportunities for academic advancement."
Ana Vasquez (January 2019): "I wanted to thank you for helping me financially and contributing to my endeavors. I won’t be here if I did not have the support."
Edwin Ramirez (June 2018): "It has been a true honor and pleasure to have been awarded a scholarship from The Herb Block Foundation. The help and support I receive allows me to continue to pursue my dreams and aspirations as a student. I am eternally grateful and thankful."
Caitlyn Morales (June 2018): "I am truly blessed to have received this aid for my career pursuits. I only hope & pray that others one day will receive assistance for their dreams like I have."
Heather Alba (October 2017): "Your generosity has impacted my life! It has given me a chance and opportunity to receive higher education. Coming from a low-income household, your support has made it possible to afford college. Thank you again!"
Andree joyce Mbogba (November 2017): "Being a recipient of the scholarship has given me the opportunity that many do not get, which I'm thankful for. Two of the things I will forever carry with me through life is to always be thankful and to not complain, but instead work smarter… and harder."
Madonna Mbomani Enwe: "I was able to use the money offered to me to pay my fees and tuition costs for the 2011/2012 year and to afford other expenses. The help means a lot to me and I remain grateful to your organization. I also promise to do my part by studying hard to get good grades and giving back to my community."
Nneka Lyn, PGCC: "The Herb Block Foundation Scholarship, through its dedication to supporting community efforts is helping me reach my goals of becoming an educator. Since I have similar passions for education as Mr. Block had, his Foundation Scholarship inspires me to be successful in my academic, career and personal endeavors."
Jun Wang: "With the aid of the Herb Block Foundation Scholarship, I can afford to pursue my academic ambitions and bring me closer to realizing my dream as a Law Enforcement Officer or a Special Agent… I would also like to thank you on behalf of my parents, because this scholarship will definitely be a great benefactor for them."
Terence Tangoalem: "I am very happy and will be ever thankful to this great foundation for their support to help those who by themselves can't afford a college education and as such clearing a path for a better future for me and many others."
Alhaji Dukuray: "It is a great pleasure to be part of The Herb Block Scholarship program. I would like to thank you people for the opportunity you have given me to accomplish my goals."

Additional Resources

Herb Block Foundation Website: www.herbblockfoundation.org (for additional information about the program and a video walkthrough of the application process)
FAFSA Application: Link to the FAFSA application
FAFSA Deadlines: Link to the FAFSA deadlines for your state
Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA): For undocumented students or others not eligible for FAFSA
MDCAPS: For undocumented students or others not eligible for FAFSA

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