Connecticut is home to the oldest public library in the country. With such a long history of leading, it’s no wonder there are so many options for funding your Connecticut education! Students in Connecticut have a variety of scholarship options from all kinds of organizations. Continue reading to learn all about the top Connecticut scholarships!
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How to win Connecticut scholarships
In order to win Connecticut scholarships, you should be emphasizing your own passions and the unique nature of Connecticut as a state. By showcasing your genuine interests and enthusiasm, you can stand out from the competition and demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth in Connecticut.
Connecticut boasts a close proximity to major metropolitan areas, beautiful ocean-side views, and quaint New England charm. Therefore, in your scholarship applications, you should emphasize how your passions align with these unique characteristics. By embracing your individuality and connecting it to all that Connecticut offers, you can make a compelling case for why you are deserving of winning Connecticut scholarships!
Resources for acing Connecticut scholarship essays
Winning Connecticut scholarships may require you to write an essay about yourself. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships and our overview of common scholarship essay prompts to help ensure you are prepared to win Connecticut scholarships! Everything you need is at your fingertips with Scholarships360 from guides on how to start a scholarship essay to how to write a 500 word essay. Best of luck!
Connecticut student debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Connecticut residents owe $17.5 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $35,162 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 57.3% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!
Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships in colleges in Connecticut, as well as top scholarships in Connecticut!
Merit scholarships at Connecticut colleges and universities
Connecticut College
- Eligibility: Students entering their first year at Connecticut College based on high academic performance in high school
- Amount: $15,000 up to $34,000
- Deadline: Admission to Connecticut College
University of Connecticut
- Eligibility: Students who are entering their first year at University of Connecticut who have achieved a very competitive high school academic average
- Amount: Up to full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Admission to the University of Connecticut
Trinity College
- Eligibility: Students entering their first year at Trinity College with a 3.5+ high school GPA
- Amount: $12,000 up to the full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Admission to Trinity College
Fairfield University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen are evaluated based on their overall academic record, strength of their academic program, and extra-curricular involvement
- Amount: $15,000 up to $28,000
- Deadline: Admission to Fairfield University
Sacred Heart University
- Eligibility: All new students are automatically considered based on course selection and overall high school GPA
- Amount: $6,000 up to $20,000
- Deadline: Admission to Sacred Heart University
University of New Haven
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen are automatically considered based on high school performance
- Amount: $10,000 up to $30,000
- Deadline: Admission to the University of New Haven
Quinnipiac University
- Eligibility: First-year students based on academic achievements
- Amount: $18,000 up to $32,000
- Deadline: Admission to Quinnipiac University
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here is a well-known Connecticut university and its in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
- In-state tuition: $16,332
- Out-of-state tuition: $39,000
How do you get in-state tuition?
Being a Connecticut resident can significantly reduce the costs of tuition for Connecticut colleges and universities. In order to obtain Connecticut residency status for in-state tuition purposes, you will need to be domiciled in Connecticut for at least 12 consecutive months. This means demonstrating intent to remain in Connecticut by obtaining a Connecticut driver’s license, registering your vehicle in Connecticut, and gaining employment in Connecticut. However, it is important to note that you cannot establish a domicile by attending a Connecticut university full-time.
Does Connecticut offer tuition reciprocity?
No, Connecticut does not offer tuition reciprocity.
Connecticut scholarship spotlight
Connecticut Building Congress Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Graduating Connecticut high school students entering college-level programs in architecture, construction-related engineering, construction management, surveying, planning or other courses of study leading to associate, bachelors, or master’s degrees in the construction field
- Amount: $2,500 up to $4,000
- Deadline: Spring
Robert T. Kenney Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students of any age living in any one of the 64 Connecticut towns served by the American Savings Foundation. High school seniors must be ranked in the top 1/3 of their graduating class or have at least a 2.5 GPA
- Amount: $1,000 up to $4,000
- Deadline: March 31
SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc. Scholarships
- Eligibility: Full-time residents of Hartford, Tolland, or Windham County, Connecticut attending or planning on attending an accredited 2 or 4-year program in Connecticut full-time with a 2.5+ GPA or in the top 40% of high school class
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Deadline: March 31
The Wethersfield/Rocky Hill Rotary Club Helping Hand Fund Scholarship Awards Program
- Eligibility: Any student living in Wethersfield or Rocky Hill, Connecticut may apply. The program is based primarily upon financial need. Additional factors reviewed are academic work, character, interaction with fellow students and extracurricular activities
- Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: April 15
Emma Kohn Podoloff Scholarship Fund of the National Council of Jewish Women
- Eligibility: Jewish high school seniors who are residents of the Greater New Haven area with at least a B average
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: May 31
The Reginald Anderson Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Be Connecticut resident with a brain tumor survivor or a recently diagnosed patient or a caregiver to a family member diagnosed with a brain tumor
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Early April
National Federation of the Blind Connecticut State Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Any legally blind, full-time Connecticut college student or graduating high school seniors who will be attending college full-time in the fall. All finalists must attend the entire National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut state convention, to be held in the fall
- Amount: $2,500 up to $5,000
- Deadline: September 1
Day of Pride Scholarship
- Eligibility: Connecticut high school seniors from disadvantaged backgrounds who show academic success, commitment to diversity, leadership, and documented financial need. Attend the University of Connecticut. Nominations are made by the Guidance Counselor’s Office at each Connecticut high school
- Amount: Up to full tuition at University of Connecticut
- Deadline: November 1
Additional Connecticut resources
Connecticut Community Fund scholarship list
A full list of scholarships offered by the Connecticut Community Fund!
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Scholarship Program
The Hartford Scholarship Program provides a valuable resource for Connecticut students looking for scholarships. View the full list of scholarships from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for 4-year college, 2-year college, graduate school, adult learners, and vocational school.
Berkshire-Taconic Community Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships specifically for residents of Berkshire and Litchfield Counties, Connecticut.
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
Scholarships specifically for residents of Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington, Connecticut.
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut Scholarships
Scholarships specifically for residents of New London, Windham and Tolland Counties, Connecticut.
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships specifically for residents of Fairfield County, Connecticut.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Connecticut students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions about Connecticut scholarships
Does Connecticut offer tuition-free college?
What type of scholarships does Connecticut offer?
Do I need to be a Connecticut resident to receive Connecticut scholarships?
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