Connecticut College Financial Aid Programs
Get Your Share from the Government
The Connecticut Department of Higher Education along with the Board of Governors, administers a generous amount of state funded scholarship and grant money that helps state residents earn a college degree. The state university system is comprised of four universities - Eastern, Western, Central and Southern Connecticut State University. The University of Connecticut has campuses across the state and the community college system encompasses a dozen campuses statewide.
General Scholarships and Grants
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship awards the very finest students scholarship money to put toward a college or university of their choice anywhere in the United States. Students from every state are recognized in this federally funded program. Initial recipients are graduating high schools seniors with top SAT scores and leading GPAs. Students who demonstrate leadership and community service involvement have preference. Awards are in the amount of $1500 and may be renewed up to 3 years. Students must already be accepted into a degree program to qualify.
Capitol Scholarships pick up where the Byrd Scholarships leave off, by recognizing academically talented students - just more of them. Students may qualify for up to $3000 in scholarships that may be used at any Connecticut state college or university.
GEAR Up! College Scholarships are awarded to financially disadvantaged students who have participated successfully in a federally funded GEAR Up program through their high school. The GEAR Up programs provide guidance and encouragement to the most socially and economically disadvantaged students beginning as early as the 6th grade. The program requires students become college-focused and remain academically motivated by meeting curriculum goals that prepare them for college and career. Scholarship recipients may be enrolled at any college or university.
The State of Connecticut offers grants for students who wish to attend public schools or those wishing to pursue private programs within the state. Programs that offer incentives for all students do so with the goal of keeping students studying and working within the state:
- CT Aid for Public College Students is a grant program that provides students with financial need enrolled in a state college or university with generous monetary support to fill out their tuition needs. Application is made directly through the college.
- Conversely, the CT Independent College Student Grant Program awards tuition grant monies to those students with proven financial need who wish to attend a private or independent institution within the state.
The Tuition Set Aside Aid is a program available to seriously disadvantaged students. Qualified applicants must be CT residents and enrolled in a state college or university program. Maximum amount of the award is the balance of the tuition.
In the State of Connecticut senior citizens and veterans may attend state colleges and universities for free:
- CT Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver
- CT Tuition Waiver for Veterans
Special Studies Scholarships and Grants
The CT Minority Teacher Incentive Grant offers minority students enrolled in a state college or university teaching program up to $5000 per academic year to complete their studies. In exchange, eligible students must agree to teach within the CT public school system following graduation.
Like many other state governments, Connecticut has explored its teacher shortages and come up with creative ways to reinvigorate the state's pool of qualified teachers. The Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Program offers qualified professionals seeking a career change the opportunity for training and certification that prepares them to teach within the Connecticut public school system. Eligible applicants must already have a Bachelors degree and be able to pass aptitude exams.
Another very concerning shortage among teachers is the continual lack of special education teachers. In response the CT Special Education Teacher Incentive Grant offers up to $5000 per academic year to those undergraduate or graduate level teaching students enrolled in a state college or university special education teaching program. Tuition grants are offered in exchange for teaching. Recipients must agree to teach within the state public schools as special education instructors for a specified amount of time following graduation. Read about national teaching scholarships.
Go to the Connecticut Department of Higher Education website for complete details and applications.
