For information on the programs outlined below and all types of financial aid available to students in Connecticut, including scholarships, grants, work study, loans, and loan forgiveness programs, contact:

Office for Higher Education

Student Financial Aid

450 Columbus Blvd.

Suite 707

Hartford, CT 06103 

860-947-1855

ohe.sfa@ct.gov

ohe.ct.gov

Roberta B. Willis Need-Based Scholarship Program

Eligibility – Connecticut residents who are high school seniors or graduates, with a high school junior year class rank of 20 percent or better and/or SAT scores of at least 1200 or ACT score of at least 25. Students must attend a Connecticut public or private, not-for-profit, college or university.

Award – up to $5,250 a year for full-time attendance in a 4-year program, or up to $4,650 a year for full-time attendance in a 2-year program.

Applications are available through the high school guidance office.

Roberta B. Willis Need-Based Grant Program

Eligibility – Connecticut residents who attend a four-year Connecticut public or private, not-for-profit, college or university. Students must also have a federal Student Aid Index  (SAI) within the allowable range.

Award – up to $4,500 for full-time study in a 2- or 4-year program of study.

For more information contact the college financial aid office

Minority Teacher Incentive Program

This is for junior or senior minority students enrolled in a CT teacher preparation program nominated by the College Dean.

Award – Grants up to $5,000 a year for two years. Loan reimbursement of $2,500 yearly for up to four years of teaching in a CT public school.

Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET)

CHET is a 529 college savings plan sponsored by the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer and managed by Fidelity.

The plan offers tax benefits and low costs. The money can pay for college tuition and fees at many vocational and technical schools and some outside the U.S.

CHET is open to both residents and nonresidents.

CONNTAC, Inc. Scholarship

The Board of Directors of the Connecticut Talent Assistance Cooperative set up this scholarship. This is for students who are US citizens living in CT and have low-income parents who did not attend college.

Award – For the 2023 to 2024 period, $10,000.00 was available to give out. The total amount any one recipient may get varies from $500 to $1,000 in two installments.

Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) Certificate Scholarship

This program is for students in specific fields of study:  manufacturing, healthcare, or ARC Teaching Certificate Program at an eligible CT state or nonprofit, degree-granting school.

Eligibility – students who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and be eligible for a Pell Grant.

Award – Up to $1,500 for half-time students and up to $3,000 for full-time students. The amounts awarded will depend on the student’s financial need and the program's cost.

Mary Ann Hadley Award (formerly PACT)

The Mary Ann Hadley Award is a last-dollar scholarship that helps make tuition-free attendance at one of CT’s 12 community colleges possible. The program is open to students of all income levels

Award – Grants cover any expenses left after students have used federal, state, and school financial aid. Even students with full financial aid are eligible for at least $250 per semester.

CHESLA Loan

The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) is a quasi-public state authority created to help students and their families finance the cost of higher education.

Eligibility – Family with student enrolled at least half-time in a CT public or non-profit private college or a CT resident enrolled at least half-time in a public or non-profit private college anywhere in the U.S. may annually borrow up to full cost of education less other aid at a low fixed interest rate of 6.65%.  Family only pays interest during in-school years. Upon completion of college, the loan is paid off over 140 months.

Apply through the CT Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA).

Veterans Tuition Waivers

Eligibility – a veteran who has been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, has 90 days active military duty during war, has been accepted for admission to a Connecticut public college or university and has resided in Connecticut for at least one year upon enrolling in college.

Award – waiver of tuition at a 2- or 4-year Connecticut public college or university. College costs other than tuition – such as for books, fees, parking, and room and board – are not waived

For additional information contact the participating institutions or visit: ohe.ct.gov/vet