Connecticut scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Connecticut runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Open to most students
CHESLA Certificate Scholarship
$1,250Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA)
Open now$1,250 for Connecticut residents in a healthcare, manufacturing or CT ARC teaching certificate program.
- What it takes: state application + recommendation
- For undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For healthcare, manufacturing, teaching (CT ARC certificate) students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need-Based Grant
Up to $4,500 for full-time study (part-time prorated)Connecticut Office of Higher Education (awarded by participating colleges)
Apply any timeUp to $4,500 a year for Connecticut residents with financial need at a four-year Connecticut public or nonprofit private college; just file the FAFSA.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Connecticut Tuition Waiver for Residents 62 and Older
Full tuition (space-available unless in a degree program at UConn/CSU)State of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Apply any timeFree tuition at Connecticut public colleges for state residents age 62 or older.
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Mary Ann Handley Award (CT State tuition-free program, formerly PACT)
Covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees after grants; minimum $500 a semester full-time, $300 part-timeConnecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education / CT State Community College
Apply any timeFree tuition and mandatory fees at CT State Community College for Connecticut residents of any income who file the FAFSA and take at least 6 credits.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need and Merit-Based Scholarship
Up to $5,250 a year for a four-year program; up to $4,650 a year for a two-year programConnecticut Office of Higher Education
Due February 15, 2027Up to $5,250 a year for Connecticut students with strong high school records and financial need who attend a four-year Connecticut public or nonprofit private college.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + school nomination + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
CHESLA Opportunity Scholarship
$3,000 full-time; $1,500 at least half-timeConnecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA)
Opens later$3,000 full-time or $1,500 half-time, by random drawing, for Connecticut graduate students and DACA students at Connecticut nonprofit colleges.
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students
- Who can get it: Graduate students: U.S. citizen, permanent resident or current DACA; non-graduate applicants: current DACA approval
- Usual timing: Annual; opens July 1; random drawing, winners notified in August.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
CHESLA Undergraduate Scholarship
$3,000 full-time; $1,500 at least half-timeConnecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA)
Opens later$3,000 full-time or $1,500 half-time for Pell-eligible Connecticut undergraduates with a 2.5+ GPA at a Connecticut public or nonprofit college.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA + recommendation + transcript
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Usual timing: Annual; opens March 1, first-come, first-served until funds run out; awards in July.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Minority Teacher Incentive Program (MTIP)
Grants up to $5,000 a year for two years; loan reimbursement up to $2,500 a year for up to four years of teachingConnecticut Office of Higher Education
Open now · due October 15, 2026Up to $5,000 a year for two years for minority juniors and seniors in Connecticut teacher preparation programs, plus up to $2,500 a year in loan reimbursement while teaching in a Connecticut public school.
- Who it's for: Nomination by the dean of the college's education department
- What it takes: school nomination + state application
- For undergrads
- For education, teacher preparation students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Connecticut National Guard Tuition Waiver
Full tuitionState of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Apply any timeFree tuition at Connecticut public colleges for active members of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard.
- Who it's for: Active member of the Connecticut Army or Air National Guard
- What it takes: membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Connecticut Tuition Waiver for Children and Spouses of Service Members Killed in Action, Missing in Action or POWs
Full tuitionState of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Apply any timeFree tuition at Connecticut public colleges for children and surviving spouses of Connecticut service members killed in action since 9/11, and for children of service members declared MIA or POW.
- Who it's for: Child or surviving spouse of a service member killed in action (post-9/11); child of a service member declared MIA/POW (after 1/1/1960)
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Connecticut Tuition Waiver for Children of First Responders and Public Employees Killed in the Line of Duty
Full tuitionState of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Apply any timeFree tuition at Connecticut public colleges for children of police officers, firefighters and municipal or state employees killed in the line of duty, and for families of Connecticut victims of the 9/11 attacks.
- Who it's for: Child of a police officer, firefighter, municipal or state employee killed in the line of duty; child or spouse of a Connecticut 9/11 victim
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Connecticut Veterans Tuition Waiver
Full tuition (Charter Oak: 50% of course fees)State of Connecticut (UConn, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities)
Apply any timeFree tuition at UConn, the Connecticut State Universities and CT State Community College for Connecticut veterans who served in wartime (50% at Charter Oak).
- Who it's for: U.S. military veteran (wartime service)
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
DCF Post-Secondary Education Support (Community Housing Assistance Program, CHAP)
Housing and living support plus education costs up to DCF's annual post-secondary education funding limit (limit not published)Connecticut Department of Children and Families
Apply any timeHousing, living stipends and post-secondary education funding for young people who were in DCF care at 18 and go on to college or vocational training.
- Who it's for: Foster youth: committed to DCF (abused, neglected or uncared for) on 18th birthday
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.