Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need-Based Grant
Connecticut Office of Higher Education (awarded by participating colleges)
Up 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.
- How much
- Up to $4,500 for full-time study (part-time prorated)
- Who qualifies
- Connecticut resident attending a four-year Connecticut public or nonprofit private college; SAI within the allowable range. By statute: working on a first associate or bachelor's degree; at least 6 credits a semester (full-time = 12+).
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA-driven; deadlines are set by each college's financial aid office.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA
- There is no application for this grant
- Your college awards it
- Contact your college financial aid office for its filing deadlines
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (portal.ct.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
The need-based part of the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship program (CGS 10a-173). There is no separate application: OHE allocates funds to each participating college, and the college awards the grant based on the student's FAFSA Student Aid Index. Up to $4,500 for full-time study in a two- or four-year program. By statute, part-time students get a prorated award: 9-11 credits up to 75% of the maximum, 6-8 credits up to 50%. Participating colleges are Connecticut's public universities (UConn, the four Connecticut State Universities, Charter Oak) and nonprofit private colleges; CT State Community College is not included (community college students are covered by the Mary Ann Handley Award). The statute also sets aside a separate Willis 'Charter Oak grant' that Charter Oak State College awards to its matriculated students with substantial financial need.
More money from Connecticut
- Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need and Merit-Based ScholarshipUp to $5,250 a year for a four-year program; up to $4,650 a year for a two-year program
- CHESLA Opportunity Scholarship$3,000 full-time; $1,500 at least half-time
- CHESLA Undergraduate Scholarship$3,000 full-time; $1,500 at least half-time
- CHESLA Certificate Scholarship$1,250
- Connecticut Tuition Waiver for Residents 62 and OlderFull tuition (space-available unless in a degree program at UConn/CSU)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.