Scholarships for Students in Connecticut to Apply for in 2024

About Scholarships in Connecticut

All around the country, tuition rates and living expenses have grown quickly and federal financial aid has not kept up. As a result, many college students with financial need have turned to student loans to afford their tuition and other expenses. This practice has grown into a crisis, leaving millions of Americans in more than $1.7 trillion of student debt.

With high interest rates, it can take decades to pay back student loans and some people are never able to pay them off, especially if they took out loans but never completed their degree. Student debt can prevent borrowers from buying homes, saving for retirement, starting businesses, or pursuing other goals. 

Scholarships have become more important than ever before as a result of the growing student loan crisis. If you're a Connecticut resident enrolled in school, consider applying for state-based scholarships to minimize your need for loans and reduce your financial stress. There is plenty of Connecticut aid for interested students, so don't wait to apply!

Connecticut Students and Student Debt

Connecticut students, like those in other states, often turn to student loans as a method of paying for school. Financial aid through the government can help make a dent in one's college costs, but with the maximum Pell Grant being only $6,495, students are often left with many unmet expenses.

Scholarships can help make up this gap by providing eligible students with financial aid for their accredited college.

Colleges in Connecticut

Connecticut offers many different options for those pursuing higher education. For those who demonstrate academic merit, Connecticut offers top-tier private schools such as Yale University, located in New Haven. Depending on your ACT score, extracurricular experience, and GPA, a competitive college or university such as Yale may be in reach. 

Less competitive private options include Trinity College, the University of New Haven, and the University of Hartford. For a smaller college experience, prospective students can consider schools such as Wesleyan University. Students can also consider public options such as the University of Connecticut. 

Attending a Connecticut public school will reduce your college costs for higher education. Still, certain programs like medical school are costly and require additional funding outside of institutional aid. Seek scholarships any chance you can!

College Costs in Connecticut

College expenses in Connecticut include an average $28,663 in 2023 for in-state undergraduate tuition. For out-of-state students, the average cost of attendance was $47,865 when living on campus.

From 2017 to 2022, tuition at private schools surged by over 18%, out-of-state tuition rose by 13%, and in-state tuition climbed more than 14%. The escalating cost of tuition is increasingly becoming an obstacle for young adults from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue higher education.

At Connecticut College, Trinity College, Wesleyan University, and Yale University each have yearly tuition fees exceeding $60,000. These figures represent solely the tuition costs at these institutions, excluding additional expenses such as room and board and other fees.

For students without financial assistance from their families, these costs are often impossible to meet without going into debt.

Student Debt in Connecticut

Connecticut students take on considerable student debt compared to students from other states. On average, students of the 2020 graduating class each left school with $35,853 in student loan debt.

Due to high debt totals in Connecticut, scholarships are an essential form of financial aid for those pursuing higher education. 

The Best Scholarships for Connecticut Students

State-based scholarships can be lucrative options for students seeking financial aid. Due to the lower number of eligible applicants for scholarships in CT, you'll have less competition and a better chance of winning as a result!

A great opportunity for Connecticut students is the Tina E. Yeh Community Service Fellowship which is for a Yale undergraduate, a recent graduate, or graduate student.

The AAAYA, a volunteer organization, created the Tina E. Yeh Community Service Fellowship in partnership with the Asian Pacific Fund to honor Tina E. Yeh '83. This fellowship encourages Yale undergraduates and recent alumni to engage in community service via summer internships.

Another great resource is the Connecticut Army National Guard. Those who enroll in the National Guard receive 100% free tuition.

Scholarships for High School Students in Connecticut

High school students can begin applying for scholarships as soon as they're at least fourteen years old. If you want to get a head start on your pursuit of higher education, consider applying for scholarships early and talk to your high school guidance counselor about your college options.

You can browse through the list below to get started with your scholarship search!

Scholarships for High School Freshmen in Connecticut

Many high school freshmen don't take the time to apply for scholarships because they don't realize they're eligible. By starting early, you'll give yourself as much time as possible to earn financial aid for college.

1. Scholarships for High School Freshmen
2. Scholarships for High School Students

Scholarships for High School Sophomores in Connecticut

Sophomore year of high school is also a good time to take advantage of scholarship opportunities. Junior and senior year of high school are often more stressful for students as they begin to work on college applications and start taking more advanced classes.

By maximizing your extra time during your sophomore year, you can get ahead of your college finances and reduce your financial need. The following scholarships are a great place to get started.

1. Scholarships for High School Sophomores
2. Scholarships for High School Students

College Scholarships for Juniors in High School in Connecticut

Junior year can be stressful as high school juniors prepare for the transition to college and start investing more time into college visits and essays. Even if you're busy, applying for scholarships can be a valuable investment in your future!

1. Scholarships for High School Juniors
2. Scholarships for High School Students

Scholarships for High School Seniors in Connecticut

As high school seniors prepare to transition to college, it's critical to make a financial plan. Many scholarships are exclusively open to the graduating class of high school seniors, so take advantage of the extra opportunities and apply for as many as possible. You can get started with the following scholarships.

1. Scholarships for High School Seniors
2. Scholarships for High School Students

Scholarships for Current College Students in Connecticut

Plenty of Connecticut scholarships and financial aid options are available for those already pursuing higher education, including undergraduates and graduate students. While some students get ahead of the competition by earning scholarships before beginning college, it's never too late to apply for financial assistance. If you're currently in college, consider the following scholarship options:

1. Undergraduate Scholarships
2. Scholarships for College Freshmen
3. Scholarships for College Sophomores
4. Scholarships for College Juniors
5. Scholarships for College Seniors
6. Scholarships for Community College
7. Scholarships for College Students
8. Scholarships for Graduate Students
9. PhD Scholarships

Does Connecticut College Give Full Ride Scholarships?

Almost 90% of their financial assistance is provided as grants, which you won't have to pay back. The amount of financial aid you receive can differ based on your unique situation, with awards ranging from several hundred dollars up to almost the entire expense of your education.

What Types of Scholarships Are There?

Scholarships come in all different forms and each has a unique application process and award amount. Most scholarships are essay-based and require a short written submission to apply, while others require a photo or video submission. Some easy scholarships don't require any submission and can be applied for with just a few clicks!

Additionally, most scholarships are open to students regardless of academic merit or good academic standing, but there are also merit-based scholarships for those who excel in academics. Students who demonstrate financial need can also apply for low-income scholarships. 

There are also general scholarships that are open to all students, but these opportunities typically have the most competition. Ultimately, there are options for all different kinds of scholarship applicants.

Do I Need to Be a Full-Time Student to Receive a Scholarship in Connecticut?

Requirements vary. While many scholarships require you to be enrolled full-time, others are available to part-time students. Check the specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship.

What Do I Have to Do to Apply?

Applying for a scholarship is simple and straightforward. To get started, create your free Bold.org account by clicking on any of the scholarships above. Depending on the type of scholarship, you would just need to check out the essay prompt (if there is one) and start writing. Once you've pasted your essay in the box, just click submit and you'll be all set!

If a scholarship requires a link or file submission, enter it in the corresponding box, and then you'll be able to apply! No-essay scholarships may not require you to upload anything, so you can apply simply by creating your account and clicking the "Apply Now" button!

Are Scholarships Counted as Income?

Since scholarship money is sent directly to your accredited university to offset educational costs, it is not counted as taxable income unless the amount you win is more than your total educational expenses. When you win a scholarship, the money will be sent directly to your school, making the process effortless for you!

What Is the Connecticut Community Foundation?

The Connecticut Community Foundation is a philanthropic institution that serves the Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills regions in Connecticut. Established to foster and support community well-being through grant-making, the Foundation invests in various local organizations and initiatives. It aims to improve the quality of life for the Connecticut society in its service area by addressing critical community needs and supporting sustainable solutions.