School Board Spotlight: The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria

By: Christopher Harris (District C) and Alexander Crider Scioscia (District B)

At the January 15, 2026, School Board work session, the Board received an update from the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA) Board Chair, Kevin Jahns and SFA Executive Director, Jasmine Milone. The SFA is a long-standing partner working with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students on post-secondary access and completion.

Many families are familiar with SFA through its annual Alexandria Scholarship Fund Gala — sometimes referred to as Adult Prom — the black-tie fundraising event held each spring. Others know SFA primarily as a scholarship provider. The presentation offered a fuller picture of the organization’s role and the scope of its work with ACPS students before and after graduation.

More Than Scholarships

Founded in 1986, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria has worked for nearly 40 years to help ACPS students access and complete post-secondary education. In 2025, SFA awarded 215 scholarships totaling more than $700,000, with a four-year value of approximately $2.6 million when renewals are included.

Scholarships, however, are only one part of the organization’s work.

SFA is embedded directly within Alexandria City High School, with staff offices on both the King Street and Minnie Howard campuses. This structure allows students to access support in person and on campus, rather than relying solely on external applications or online systems.

Who SFA Serves

During the work session, Mr. Jahns and Mrs. Milone shared data about the students SFA serves. 

Last year:

• Nearly 70% of scholarship recipients were first-generation college students

• Scholarships were awarded regardless of citizenship status

• Students pursued a range of post-secondary pathways, including four-year colleges, community college, career and technical education programs, and workforce credentials

They highlighted that the SFA’s minimum GPA requirement is designed to be accessible, and that scholarships are renewable to support completing post-secondary schooling. 

Advising, FAFSA, and Ongoing Support

The presentation also emphasized that advising and post-secondary navigation are core parts of the SFA’s work. In addition to financial awards, the SFA supports students throughout the post-secondary planning process, including:

• One-on-one college and career advising

• FAFSA completion support, including assistance for students who are not eligible for federal aid

• Help interpreting and comparing financial aid award letters

• Essay and application support

• Continued outreach to students after graduation to support enrollment and completion 

The SFA tracks student contact time, FAFSA completion, enrollment, and post-secondary progress using multiple data sources, including the National Student Clearinghouse. Mr. Jahns and Mrs. Milone reported that student completion outcomes are comparable to national benchmarks, particularly given the high proportion of first-generation students served.

A Partnership Model

The SFA operates as a nonprofit organization with a volunteer board and works through a formal partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools. The Executive Director is an ACPS employee, and SFA collaborates closely with school counselors, the College and Career Center, AVID, the International Academy, and higher education partners such as NOVA and George Mason.

During the work session, Board members noted that this model — a nonprofit organization embedded within the school — supports coordination between advising, scholarships, and school-based services.

Why This Update Matters

In a school system as large and diverse as ACPS, navigating post-secondary options can be complex, particularly for students and families with limited prior experience. The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria plays a role in helping students understand options, access financial support, and remain connected as they work toward completing their chosen programs.

The work session update highlighted how long-standing community partnerships contribute to post-secondary access and outcomes for ACPS students.

More information about the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria is available at alexscholarshipfund.org.