Looking for Connecticut scholarships and grants? For both in-state and out-of-state students, Connecticut offers numerous financial aid opportunities to help make college more affordable. From need-based grants for Connecticut residents attending public state universities to competitive academic scholarships at private institutions, there are many options to reduce the cost of higher education. Athletic scholarships, unique contests, and major-specific awards also provide pathways for students to fund their academic goals. This guide covers Connecticut scholarship and grant programs by categories, provides resources to find and apply for aid, and shares tips for students seeking college funding in the state. Whether you plan to study at UConn, Yale, Trinity, or any of Connecticut’s other excellent colleges, discover how scholarships can help you pay for school.
Scholarships for Connecticut Residents
There are numerous scholarship programs specifically for Connecticut residents attending college in the state:
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship
The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship provides renewable need-based aid to Connecticut residents attending public and private non-profit colleges and universities in the state. Award amounts are based on financial need.
Capitol Scholarship Program
The Capitol Scholarship Program awards one-time grants to Connecticut residents pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at in-state private non-profit colleges. Awards are based on financial need.
Connecticut Aid for Public College Students
The Connecticut Aid for Public College Students (CAPCS) provides need-based grants to undergraduate students attending the state’s public universities and community colleges. Award amounts vary.
Minority Teacher Incentive Program
The Minority Teacher Incentive Program offers annual grants up to $5,000 per year for minority Connecticut residents pursuing teacher certification at in-state schools. Recipients must commit to teaching in CT for at least 2 years.
Grants for Connecticut Students
Along with state scholarships, Connecticut offers several need-based grant programs:
Connecticut Independent College Student Grant
The Connecticut Independent College Student Grant (CICSG) provides need-based grants up to $9,500 annually for students attending private non-profit colleges and universities in Connecticut.
Governor’s Scholarship Program
The Governor’s Scholarship Program offers annual need-based grants up to $1,500 for Connecticut residents attending in-state public and private colleges and universities.
Connecticut Community College Grant
The Connecticut Community College Grant covers the cost of tuition and fees after federal financial aid for eligible students attending CT community colleges.
Career & Major-Specific Scholarships
Connecticut offers several scholarships targeted to students pursuing specific majors or career paths:
Teach Connecticut Scholarship
The Teach Connecticut Scholarship provides annual scholarships up to $5,500 per year for students pursuing teaching careers at public schools in CT. Recipients must commit to teaching in the state for 4 years.
Connecticut Nurses Foundation Scholarships
The Connecticut Nurses Foundation offers several scholarships and grants for nursing students, including the Joan Mason Memorial Scholarship, Mary Jagim Memorial Scholarship, and the CNF General Scholarship.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship provides aid for Connecticut minority students pursuing teaching careers. Recipients must commit to teaching in CT for 3 years.
Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships
The Connecticut Society of CPAs offers awards for accounting students, including the S. Drayton Grant Scholarship, the Gladys and Howard Schachne Scholarship, and the Herbert Schoen Scholarship.
Out-of-State Students
While most Connecticut scholarships and grants are reserved for state residents, some are open to out-of-state students:
- The Yale Levy Scholarship provides full-tuition awards for out-of-state students attending Yale University.
- Trinity College offers the Presidential Scholarship Connecticut covering full tuition for out-of-state students.
- The Cornell Scholarship offers full in-state tuition to out-of-state students attending the University of Connecticut.
Additional Connecticut Scholarship Resources
Along with state, college, university, and private scholarships, here are some additional resources for finding and applying for financial aid in Connecticut:
- CT Office of Higher Education Scholarships – Database of CT scholarships searchable by eligibility criteria.
- CTCollege Goal Sunday – Free program helping CT students and families complete the FAFSA and apply for aid.
- CTCollege Access Network – Non-profit helping underserved populations in CT access and complete higher education.
- CHEFA Scholarship Connect – Scholarship and financial aid resources from the CT Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority.
- Fastweb – Free scholarship search engine listing nationwide and local aid opportunities.
Athletic Scholarships
Connecticut offers several athletic scholarships for talented student athletes:
CIAC Scholar Athlete Scholarship
The CIAC Scholar Athlete Scholarship awards $1,500 scholarships to outstanding high school senior athletes in Connecticut.
Walter Camp Football Foundation Scholarships
The Walter Camp Foundation provides scholarships to high school football players from Connecticut attending a Connecticut university.
Ruden Report Scholarship
The Ruden Report Scholarship offers $1,000 scholarships to exceptional CT high school football and basketball players.
Merit & Academic Scholarships
Connecticut has several merit and academically-based scholarship programs:
Connecticut Merit Scholarship Program
The Connecticut Merit Scholarship provides scholarships based on class rank to CT residents attending college in-state. Award amounts range from $1,000 – $2,000.
Connecticut Association of Latinos in Higher Education Scholarship
The Connecticut Association of Latinos in Higher Education offers merit-based scholarships to Latino students in CT pursuing higher education.
Connecticut Space Grant Consortium
The Connecticut Space Grant offers merit-based scholarships in STEM fields to CT students pursuing space-related majors.
Foundation Scholarships
Several foundations offer scholarships for high-achieving Connecticut students:
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Scholarships – Numerous merit scholarships for Fairfield County residents, including the Walter & Virginia Schaffer Scholarship and Caroline M. Kisseloff Scholarship.
Hartford Foundation Scholarships – Merit-based awards for Hartford-area residents, including the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Minority Scholarship and Frieda Norton Scholarship.
New Haven Scholarship Fund – Merit scholarships such as the Alling Memorial and Roger Sherman scholarships for New Haven residents.
Corporate & Non-Profit Scholarships
Many companies and non-profits offer competitive CT scholarships:
Travelers EDGE Scholarship – For underrepresented minority Connecticut students in business, STEM, or insurance fields.
Liberty Bank Foundation Scholarship – For high-achieving and community-minded students in Liberty Bank’s market area.
Ensign Bickford Foundation Scholarship – Merit-based awards for CT residents, including the Robert Hopkins Scholarship.
Credit Union Scholarships
Some CT credit unions offer scholarships for member students:
UHartford Federal Credit Union Scholarship
Stamford Municipal Employees FCU Scholarship
Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union Scholarship
So in summary, foundations, corporations, credit unions and more offer scholarships in Connecticut based on merit and academics rather than just financial need.
Unique & Unusual Connecticut Scholarships
Some unique or unusual scholarships just for Connecticut students include:
Left Hander’s Scholarship
The Left Hander’s Scholarship provides $1,000 scholarships for left-handed students from CT attending college in-state.
Tall Club of New Haven Scholarship
The Tall Club of New Haven offers a $1,000 scholarship for exceptionally tall students from CT pursuing higher education.
DAR Good Citizen Scholarship
The CT Daughters of the American Revolution gives scholarships to high school students who demonstrate good citizenship.
CHET Advance Scholarship
The CHET Advance Scholarship provides scholarships for students who graduated from a CT high school and had a CHET college savings plan.
Connecticut offers a robust selection of financial aid programs to help students fund higher education goals. From need-based grants for in-state residents to competitive academic scholarships for out-of-state students, there are many options to reduce the cost of college in Connecticut. Athletic, STEM, teaching, nursing, and accounting scholarships provide pathways for those pursuing specific majors and careers. Unique contests like scholarships for left-handers and tall students add a quirky element to the state’s offerings. With proper planning and research, both Connecticut residents and non-residents can identify and apply for the scholarships, grants, and other aid that best matches their situation. Utilizing these programs allows students to reduce reliance on loans and graduate with less debt. By maximizing scholarships and grants, Connecticut students can make their college dreams more financially achievable.
