Exclusive Scholarships for Students in Connecticut

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 45 million 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 with 12,060 students. 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, which has only 3,053 students.

Students can also consider public options such as the University of Connecticut which is home to 27,215 students. 

Connecticut college demographics

Connecticut universities and colleges have an average 55.03% acceptance rate and a total of 196,157 students, 36,756 of whom are graduate students. The majority of these students, 117,557, are female while only 78,600 are male.

College students in Connecticut are primarily white, with 101,618 white students, 31,410 Hispanic students, 25,829 Black students, 10,781 Asian students, and 8,286 mixed-race students.

Connecticut students are likely to attend school entirely online or partially online, with only 44,491 students taking no online classes.

College costs in Connecticut

Including living expenses, the average cost of attendance for Connecticut colleges was $47,863 for on-campus students and slightly cheaper, $46,387, for off-campus students. For students without financial assistance from their families, these costs are often impossible to meet without going into debt. 

College expenses in Connecticut include an average $28,998 for out-of-state undergraduate tuition, or $8,742 for in-state students. An out-of-state graduate student pays $22,681 per year while in-state students pay $13,945. Books and supplies cost an additional $1,246 per year and living expenses are an average of $17,619 for on-campus living or $16,143 for off-campus life.

Student debt in Connecticut

Connecticut students take on considerable student debt compared to students from other states. 57% of Connecticut graduates have student debt and 17% have private student loans. Each borrower owes an average of $35,853. 

Though Connecticut students have the highest debt amount, as that spot is held by New Hampshire, they owe far more than students in states such as Utah, where the average student debt is just $18,344. 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!

While Bold.org doesn't currently have any scholarships available exclusively for students in Connecticut, we create new scholarships every day so check back soon! In the meantime, there are many non-location-based scholarships that students in Connecticut should consider.

Additional scholarships that students in Connecticut should consider

Even though Bold.org doesn't currently have any Connecticut-specific scholarship options, there are plenty of other opportunities that can help reduce the financial need of students in Connecticut. No matter what education level you're pursuing or what field you're working towards, there are scholarships available for you!

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!

1. "Be Bold" No-Essay Scholarship
2. Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
3. CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship

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. Sloane Stephens Doc & Glo Scholarship
2. Mikey Taylor Memorial Scholarship
3. Marissa Collections Scholarship

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. Bold Be You Scholarship
2. Nitro Pay for College No-Essay Scholarship
3. Bold Dream Big Scholarship

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. Isaac Yunhu Lee Memorial Arts Scholarship
2. Janey Mae Memorial Scholarship
3. Future of Aviation Scholarship

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. Ben Bonner Memorial Scholarship
2. Andrea Claire Matason Memorial Scholarship
3. Nina L. Coleman Memorial Scholarship
4. Stephan L. Daniels Lift As We Climb Scholarship

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. College Showdown Scholarship
2. Lost Dreams Awaken Scholarship
3. Pride in Diversity Scholarship
4. Loretta Webb Green Scholarship

College scholarships for international students in Connecticut

International students who are continuing their education at US schools are eligible for scholarships on Bold.org. Since international students often receive less financial aid, scholarships can be critical when it comes to affording the costs of college. Check out the scholarships below to get started!

1. International Studies Scholarship
2. Verto Semester Abroad Scholarship
3. Greg Orwig Cultural Immersion Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about scholarships in Connecticut

How can I apply for scholarships in CT?

Applying for scholarships in CT is easy once you've made your account on Bold.org. You can make your free profile by clicking on any of the scholarships above and you'll then have access to the hundreds of exclusive scholarships available on the site, with new options added every day.

Once you've filled out your profile, you can browse scholarships by category, education level, amount, or nearest deadline to find the best options. You can even bookmark good matches to apply for later!

You can find any information you need about a scholarship in its description, including deadlines, the announcement date, the amount, eligibility requirements, and submission requirements. Applying often just requires a short essay and a few clicks!

When can I start applying?

As soon as you're at least fourteen years old and in high school, you'll qualify to apply for scholarships on Bold.org. The earlier you start, the longer you'll have to find and win scholarships, so don't wait to get started!

How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?

Every scholarship will list eligibility requirements in the description. Always be sure to read a scholarship description carefully to ensure that you're eligible before you spend time on your scholarship application. There are many types of eligibility requirements, with different student groups being eligible for certain scholarships. For example, some scholarships aim to support a certain demographic, such as Asian American students, women, or LGBTQ+ students.

Other scholarships are open to Connecticut residents or students in other states. Additionally, many scholarships are only open to certain education levels, such as master's degree seekers, those in medical school, high school students, or undergraduates. 

A scholarship may also require that eligible applicants show a demonstrated interest in a certain field, sport, hobby, or social cause. Or, eligible students may have to have military experience, such as through the Connecticut Army National Guard.

There are even scholarships available for single parents with dependent children or family members! New scholarships are created and awarded each day, so begin your search today to maximize your potential winnings.

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.

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!