Scholarship opportunities are available for eligible students. Applicants must complete the scholarship application and provide all required documentation by the stated deadline. We encourage all students to apply and take advantage of this opportunity for financial assistance.
Click on the Scholarship title below for more information
Criteria:
Applicant must demonstrate the following:
- Earned a minimum of a cumulative 3.0 grade point average
- Earned a letter in a Varsity sport for at least two years
- Acceptance to an accredited college/ university or trade school with enrollment on a full- time basis beginning no later than January 2027
Applicant must provide the following:
- Applicant must complete and submit the scholarship application, along with supporting materials, no later than 11:59pm on April 30, 2026.
- Applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from high school teacher, guidance counselor or administrator.
- Applicant must provide a letter or recommendation from a former or current Coach.
- Applicant must provide an Official transcript from High School.
Applicant must attend a member school of the District of Columbia Athletic Association and be in compliance with all rules and regulations set forth in 5 DCMR A 5001.1 and those governing eligible non-residents.
Completed applications and supporting materials should be submitted no later than 11:59pm on April 30, 2026.
Submit Application
What is the deadline to submit an application?
The application deadline is April 17, 2026. Incomplete or partial applications will not be considered.
Who can apply for a Junior Player Scholarship?
- Players at any level of the sport – beginner, intermediate, and advanced;
- Applicants must be between the ages of 7-18;
- Applicants must have an active USTA membership (USTA Junior Memberships are at no cost to register) and reside in the Mid-Atlantic Section (DC, MD, VA, or eastern and southern WV);
- This program is based on merit and financial need.
- Applicants previously awarded in the previous scholarship cycle will not be considered.
What criteria must be met for each scholarship tier?
What expenses are authorized under the Junior Player Scholarship?
This scholarship program is offered as reimbursement and awards can help with costs associated with:
- Introductory lessons, camps or training fees;
- USTA program and/or event fees (tournaments, Junior Team Tennis, Junior Circuit, etc.);
- Equipment expenses (tennis shoes, racquets, strings);
- Travel fees (i.e. hotel or transportation fees only associated with attending a program/event).
How long is the grant decision process?
Approximately thirty (30) days from the date of the application deadline for evaluation, processing and notification. Your application will be evaluated by a combination of reviewers from the Mid-Atlantic.
If awarded, what are the next steps?
If awarded, you will receive an award letter and will be asked to provide the following documentation within thirty (30) days of receipt of the award letter:
- Countersigned award letter;
- Proof of actual purchase orders or invoices of authorized expenses dated as of February 1, 2026 or later;
- Recipient Testimonial to include 1-2 photos of applicant participating in a tennis event/program and a final narrative of how the scholarship award has impacted his/her tennis experience this year.
We estimate approximately thirty (30) days for USTA Mid-Atlantic to process the scholarship award after receipt of all required documentation. Please note, proof of purchase documentation must be submitted at one time. If your total expenditure is less than the awarded amount, the balance will be forfeited. The scholarship award must be utilized for qualified expenses in 2026 and all documentation must be received within thirty (30) days of receipt of the award letter.
Please contact us at community@mas.usta.com if you have any questions about the scholarship program.
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DC Batter Up! is sponsoring a college scholarship program for DC high school seniors who are members of their school’s spring Varsity baseball or softball team and meet certain other eligibility requirements. These scholarships are known as the “Koczela Scholarships,” in honor of the late Jack Koczela, a DC native, a tireless community advocate, and one of the visionaries who founded our organization.
We will proudly be awarding several Koczela Scholarships this year and are also pleased to announce that, for 2026, the amount of each Koczela Scholarship has been increased from $1500 to $2000.
The final deadline for submission of application materials is May 18, 2026. However, DC Batter Up! urges applicants to submit their materials, if at all possible, by May 11, 2026, which is the date when the Scholarship Committee will begin its consideration of applicants.
The primary means through which to apply for a scholarship is the DC Batter Up! website at www.dcbatterup.org. A student seeking to submit an application should do as follows: 1) go to the “Scholarships” page on the DC Batter Up! web site; 2) click on the “Apply Here” button; 3) fill out the provided online application; 4) upload the other required application materials; and 5) click “Submit.” However, if applying online presents a problem or issue for a student, that student may apply by filling out the attached “hard copy” of the scholarship application (which is also available on the web site’s “Scholarships” page) and emailing it, along with the other required application materials, to me at nrf.femia@gmail.com.
Please note that we have made the application process simple and straightforward, something that any motivated senior can accomplish quickly. Scholarship winners will be notified as quickly as possible, but in any event by no later than June 1.
