The Determined Spirit Scholarship

List of 13 items.

• What is the FCS Determined Spirit Scholarship?

  The Determined Spirit Scholarship is a merit-based, need-blind scholarship that provides $5,000 per year to one new-to-FCS student entering 6th grade at Friends Community School in any given school year. The recipient receives the award for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, provided they remain eligible under the scholarship terms.

• Who is eligible to apply?

  The scholarship is for prospective new students who meet FCS admission requirements and are applying to FCS for the first time to enter 6th grade in 2027–28. Students already enrolled at FCS are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.

• Middle school at FCS starts in 5th grade. Can a 5th grader apply?

  No. The scholarship is for brand-new FCS students entering 6th grade. It then supports the student through 8th grade. The donor family's child entered FCS in 6th grade, so the award supports a new student making the same transition.

• Do we have to live in Prince George’s County to apply?

  No. The scholarship is open to eligible new 6th-grade applicants regardless of where they live. Preference is given to Prince George’s County residents, reflecting the donating family’s proud connections to the county.

• What does “need-blind” mean?

  Need-blind means the scholarship recipient is selected without considering a family’s finances. The selection is based on merit, not financial need.

• Can we also receive need-based financial aid?

  Yes. The scholarship is separate from need-based financial aid and supplements any financial aid grant the student may receive from FCS. Financial aid applications also open on October 15, 2026.
  
  

  To learn more about needs-based financial aid, visit our Financial Aid Page on our website.

• How do we apply?

  Complete the FCS application for 6th grade and indicate your interest in the Determined Spirit Scholarship. You will also need to request an additional recommendation letter from your child’s school counselor, vice principal, or principal and attend a scholarship shadow day.

  FCS applications and scholarship interest must be submitted by January 14, 2027. Applications submitted before December 7 qualify for a reduced application fee.

• What happens during the scholarship shadow day?

  Your child will complete a writing assignment, spend time in FCS classrooms, and meet with the Head of Middle School and Head of School for a scholarship interview. All scholarship shadow visits must be completed by February 12, 2027.

• When will we hear whether our child has received the scholarship?

  Scholarship decisions will be shared on February 26, 2027, along with enrollment contracts. Enrollment contracts are due March 12, 2027.

• What if the scholarship recipient decides not to enroll at FCS?

  If a student is offered the scholarship and does not accept it, FCS will offer it to another admitted student who meets the scholarship criteria and aligns with the donor’s intent.

• What if the scholarship recipient leaves FCS before completing 8th grade?

  Once a student has accepted the scholarship, the award cannot be transferred to another student. Please contact Admissions with questions about the scholarship terms and circumstances that may affect eligibility.

• What happens if no qualified applicant from Prince George’s County applies?

  The scholarship is open to eligible new 6th-grade applicants from any location, with preference given to Prince George’s County residents. If no qualified county applicant meets the scholarship criteria, FCS may consider another qualified applicant whose circumstances most closely align with the donor’s intent.

• Who can I contact with questions?

  Contact our Admissions team at admissions@friendscommunityschool.org. We are happy to speak with families, as well as the counselors, vice principals, and principals supporting applicants.