-
Colleges
-
Graduate School
- Scout Grad School Search Find and compare grad schools based on your preferences, goals and academic interests.
- $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship Enter to win our $5,000 no essay grad school scholarship in 2 min or less.
- Graduate Degrees Explore graduate degree options that fit your goals.
- Paying for Graduate School Understand costs and explore ways to pay for grad school.
-
Scholarships
- $2,000 No Essay Scholarship Enter to win our no essay $2,000 college scholarship in 2 minutes or less.
- Scholly Scholarships Easily find and sort through thousands of college scholarships for free.
- Scholarships for High School Seniors Explore scholarships for high school seniors and get tips on how to apply.
- Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships Apply for up to $0 in scholarships each month with just one form.
- $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship Enter to win our $5,000 no essay grad school scholarship in 2 min or less.
-
Financial aid
- Financial Aid Grants, work-study, and federal student loans can all be part of your financial aid package.
- FAFSA® Guide Learn how to answer the 2026-27 FAFSA® questions like a pro.
- Financial Aid Offers Compare financial aid offers to determine the most affordable schools for you and your family.
- College Grants Learn more about federal and state grants and how to apply.
- Federal Pell Grants Discover what a Pell Grant is, who is eligible, and how to apply.
- Financial Aid Resources Get expert guidance on maximizing your financial aid options to make education more affordable.
-
Pay for School
- Sallie Mae® Student Loans
- Private Student Loans Find a private student loan designed to fit your needs.
- Undergrad Student Loan For college students earning a bachelor's or associate's degree.
- Graduate Student Loans Choose the right loan for your graduate degree or post-graduate studies.
- Career Training Loan For students taking professional training or certificate courses.
- Student Loan Resources Everything you need to navigate student loans with confidence.
Scholarships
Find Connecticut scholarships that can help you pay for college
Here's a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Scholarships for Connecticut
Featured
Apply now
Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship
Due: 4/30/26
$2,000
9 days left!
Apply now
Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program
Due: 4/15/26
$10,000
Dominion Energy has established a scholarship program to assist students residing in one of the eligible states, who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs. Applicants must be high school seniors or graduates or current college undergraduates. Awards of $5,000 will be granted to students pursuing 2-year programs and awards of $10,000 will be granted to students pursuing 4-year degrees. Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor's degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Applicants must have demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming community where everyone feels valued and supported. Financial information will be collected from applicants; 80 percent of scholarships will be awarded on a combination of need and merit with the remaining 20 percent awarded on the basis of merit. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
9 days left!
Apply now
Damato Adult Learner Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
$2,000
The Damato Adult Learners Scholarship is a renewable scholarship awarded to eligible adult students. Scholarships are initially awarded for two academic terms and will pay the school or college up to $600 for those taking one course and up to $2000 for those taking two or more courses. Scholarships will be continuously renewed for three terms per year until the applicant has completed his or her degree or course of study. The scholarship may not be used for post graduate studies. Applicants must be a Manchester resident for at least six months at the time of application and who has been accepted for admission to a college or other accredited post-secondary school. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
EPOC Environmental Scholarship
Due: 4/30/26
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
EPOC recognizes its duty to assist in the education of individuals planning a career in the environmental industry. The purpose of the EPOC Environmental Scholarship is to assist students enrolled in accepted programs of study to become a Technical Environmental Professional in the State of Connecticut. Applicants must be a Connecticut resident, or an immediate family member (spouse or child) of an EPOC member in good standing. They must be attending an accredited college or university (CT colleges or out of state colleges) and enrolled in a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree program. They must be enrolled in the following programs of study: Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geology; Biology; Chemistry; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Earth Science; Natural Resource Management; Ecology; Soil Sciences; Water Resources; Toxicology; Wetland Science; Engineering: Civil, Environmental, Chemical; and other related Environmental programs. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information. Two recommendations are required. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
Varies
The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund makes college more accessible by removing financial barriers. The scholarship will be awarded to permanent residents of New England states, with financial need, who display academic achievement, a commitment to serving others, a strong work ethic and leadership qualities. Applicants must be an entering or returning student at an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States and must be pursuing a bachelor's degree (BA, BS, BFA, BSN for example) for the first time. Students in one-year or two-year certificate or associate's degree programs do not qualify. Students in five-plus year programs ending in a master's degree or beyond may apply for the first four (undergraduate) years of their programs. Applicants should be enrolled in a demanding course of study and demonstrate skilled writing. High school applicants are welcome to apply using the Early Response deadline of April 3, 2025. Applicants must submit the contact information for at least one recommender. High school applicants must add a school counselor as their required recommender. They may add up to three other recommenders. Recommenders should not be relatives or personal friends. College applicants may add a college professor, high school teacher, or another community contact as their required recommender. They may add up to three other recommenders. Recommenders should not be relatives or personal friends. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Energize Your Education College Scholarship
Due: 5/1/26
|No Recommendations Required
$500
The Energize Your Education Scholarship for 2025 will be awarded to students for making a positive difference in their community. Applicants must be a high school senior, planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college degree program in the United States in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Eileen Kraus Scholarship
Due: 5/6/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$5,000
The Eileen Kraus Scholarship was established in 2016 in partnership with Kaman Corporation. The scholarship will be awarded to one outstanding Connecticut woman beginning her first year of college or university. Applicants must be recent high school graduates or in the final year of secondary school, intending to enroll in her first year of college or university. Current university or college students are not eligible. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Aetna Career Ladder Program
Due: 5/9/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Aetna Career Ladder Program is available to students enrolled in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. The first preference is given to students who graduated from a Hartford public high school with demonstrated financial need, and the second preference is given to students from Connecticut with demonstrated financial need.
Aaron Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Due: 5/9/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Aaron Family Memorial Endowed Scholarship is available to College of Arts and Science students who are entering their junior or senior year. Applicants must be majoring in one of the Humanities. Preference will be given to students from West Hartford or students majoring in International Languages and Cultures.
CIGNA Greater Hartford Community Endowed Scholarships
Due: 5/9/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The CIGNA Greater Hartford Community Endowed Scholarships are open to students who are residents of the Greater Hartford area.
Key things to know about Connecticut scholarships
- Connecticut scholarships are free money for school. They help Connecticut students pay for tuition, books, and other school expenses, and you don't have to pay the money back.
- Scholarships aren't just for college freshmen. There are Connecticut scholarships for high school seniors, current college and grad students, transfer students, career and technical students, and adults returning to school.
- You can often combine multiple awards. Scholarships from your school and private organizations can sometimes be stacked together to bring down your total college costs.
- GPA matters, but it's not the only factor. Some Connecticut scholarships are merit-based, but many others consider leadership, community service, identity, financial need, major, or long-term goals.
- Applying regularly can really add up. Submitting a few scholarship applications every month can snowball into major savings on your college bill.
Paying for college can feel overwhelming. That's why maximizing free money you don't have to pay back—like scholarships and grants—should be part of your funding plan. If you live in Connecticut, you have access to scholarships created specifically with Connecticut students in mind.
The time you spend applying for Connecticut scholarships can make a big difference. Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2025 found that 75% of students who received a scholarship said it made college possible. Whether you are in high school, already in college, or heading back to the classroom after time away, scholarships can help you reduce what you pay out of pocket or take out in loans.
Enter to win a $2,000 scholarship
No essay | Apply in 2 minutes or less
What are Connecticut scholarships?
Connecticut scholarships are financial awards designed to help students cover the cost of college, graduate school, or career training programs. These awards can come from many different places, including colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, community foundations, and employers.
Unlike student loans, scholarship funds do not need to be repaid. While some awards do look at test scores or grades, many Connecticut scholarships focus on your story and experiences, such as:
- Community service, leadership, or extracurricular involvement
- Your intended major, field of study, or career interests
- Connecticut residency or a particular city, county, or region
- Identity-based criteria or connection to a specific community
- Career and technical education or workforce training pathways
- Artistic, athletic, or technical talents
Because eligibility can vary so much from one program to the next, students with many different backgrounds and goals can find scholarships that fit.
What scholarships are available for Connecticut students?
Most students see the best results when they apply to more than one type of scholarship at once. In Connecticut, scholarships generally fall into three broad groups: awards from colleges, local and community-based scholarships, and private or employer-sponsored programs.
To explore options that match your background, interests, and goals, you can use tools like Scholly Scholarships to find opportunities in Connecticut and across the country.
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship
The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program supports eligible Connecticut residents pursuing undergraduate study at participating in-state public and independent colleges and universities. Depending on the award type, eligibility may include academic performance, financial need, and enrollment at an eligible institution.
Because program rules can change by year and by participating school, confirm requirements with your college financial aid office and plan to file the FAFSA early. If a deadline is not listed for your institution, follow the school’s priority financial aid dates.
PACT (Pledge to Advance Connecticut)
PACT (Pledge to Advance Connecticut) is Connecticut’s debt-free community college tuition initiative (now commonly described as CT State’s free tuition / tuition-free program). It is designed to help eligible residents reduce tuition and mandatory fee costs at Connecticut State Community College.
Eligibility often depends on residency, enrollment, and completing required financial aid steps such as the FAFSA. If you do not see a clear deadline, check your community college’s financial aid calendar.
Connecticut Promise Programs
Connecticut also has local Promise-style scholarship programs that aim to reduce tuition costs for qualifying students. Examples include Hartford Promise and New Haven Promise.
Because Promise programs vary by city and partner schools, review eligibility details carefully and verify deadlines directly with the program.
University of Connecticut Merit Awards
Students applying to the University of Connecticut may be considered for UConn merit scholarships through the admissions and financial aid process. Some UConn scholarships are tied to academic achievement, while others may reflect leadership, talent, or program-specific goals.
To maximize your chances, pay close attention to admissions timelines and any scholarship application requirements published by the university.
Community Foundation Scholarships (Regional)
Community foundations across Connecticut administer donor-funded scholarships that support local students. These awards may focus on a specific town, county, high school, major, or personal background, and they often have smaller applicant pools than nationwide programs.
If a foundation scholarship does not list a single statewide deadline, look for regional application windows (often fall through spring) and keep a running list of requirements.
Private & Specialty Scholarships
Private organizations, employers, and professional associations offer Connecticut scholarships for many majors and student backgrounds. You may find awards tied to healthcare, education, business, STEM, public service, and other pathways.
Because requirements vary widely, treat each application like its own project and confirm deadlines, documents, and eligibility rules before you submit.
Local and community scholarships in Connecticut
Local scholarships can be less competitive because they often draw from a smaller pool of applicants. These awards are typically created to support students from particular Connecticut cities, counties, school districts, or regions.
Local scholarships may be offered by:
- Community and regional foundations
- City or county agencies and organizations
- Cultural, heritage, or civic groups
- Labor unions and professional associations
- Local employers and small businesses
Institutional scholarships from Connecticut colleges
Many Connecticut colleges automatically review applicants for institutional scholarships as part of the admission process, while others require a separate application. These awards may be based on academics, major, leadership, or other factors like talent or special involvement.
Students attending institutions such as the University of Connecticut or schools within the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system may qualify for institutional scholarships through their financial aid offices.
Examples include:
- Connecticut public universities: University-wide and departmental scholarships for new and continuing students
- CSCU colleges: Campus-based awards and foundation scholarships for community college and state university students
- Connecticut community colleges: Donor-funded awards and program-based support
- Private colleges: Institutional merit scholarships that may significantly lower published tuition
Still exploring your options? You can compare programs, costs, and average financial aid packages with Scout College Search.
Additional financial aid resources in Connecticut
Alongside Connecticut scholarships, there are state and federal programs that function as grants or tuition support rather than traditional scholarships.
Roberta B. Willis Need-Based Grant
The Roberta B. Willis program also includes need-based grant funding for eligible Connecticut residents enrolled at participating in-state institutions. Students generally need to submit the FAFSA so schools can determine eligibility.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based federal program that can help eligible Connecticut students pay for undergraduate education. Filing the FAFSA is required to be considered.
Scholly Scholarships
Find scholarships now
Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
How to apply for Connecticut scholarships
Breaking the process into smaller pieces can make applying for scholarships feel more manageable.
- Pull together key documents early, such as your transcript, activity list, resume, and a basic personal statement.
- Make a list of scholarships that fit your background, major, and goals, focusing on both statewide and local programs.
- Work through a few applications at a time so the process stays consistent but not overwhelming.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) so you can be considered for need-based scholarships, grants, and other aid.
- Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or checklist to keep track of application requirements and deadlines.
- Read instructions carefully and double-check your application before you hit submit.
Looking for a faster way to get started? With Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships, you can use a single application to apply to multiple scholarships at once.
What are the eligibility requirements for Connecticut scholarships?
Each program sets its own rules, but many Connecticut scholarships share some common eligibility requirements, such as:
- Proof of Connecticut residency (for certain state and community-based programs)
- Enrollment or planned enrollment at an eligible Connecticut college, university, or training program
- Meeting minimum GPA or academic progress standards for merit-based awards
- Choosing a specific major, concentration, or career pathway
- Demonstrating financial need (for need-based scholarships and grants)
- Documented community service, leadership, or extracurricular involvement
How do I help my chances of winning scholarships?
- Mix large and small scholarships.
Big awards are appealing, but smaller scholarships often receive fewer applications, and several smaller wins can add up. - Tune your scholarship essays to each opportunity.
Reusing core stories is fine — just tailor your essay so it clearly connects to the scholarship’s mission and values. - Request letters of recommendation early.
Giving teachers, counselors, or supervisors more time usually leads to stronger, more detailed letters. - Showcase your impact.
Highlight long-term involvement, leadership roles, and specific ways you have contributed to your school or community. - Complete the FAFSA as soon as you can.
Some forms of state and institutional aid are limited and may be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
More scholarship resources
Oklahoma students can use these resources to locate scholarships that align with their major, experiences, and long-term plans.
- Scholarships by major
See scholarship options connected to your intended field of study. - Scholarships for high school seniors
Ideal if you are planning for college during your senior year of high school. - Scholarships for college students
Scholarship opportunities continue after freshman year — explore options for current undergraduates. - Scholarships for first-generation students
If you are the first in your family to attend college, these awards are designed with you in mind. - Scholarships for adults and returning learners
Find support if you are going back to school later in life or finishing a degree. - Scholarships for women
Explore scholarships that support women across a variety of majors and career paths. - LGBTQ+ scholarships
Discover scholarships that support students who identify as LGBTQ+ or who are allies. - STEM scholarships
Funding options for students pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math degrees. - Scholarships for graduate students
Learn about scholarships that can help reduce the cost of master’s, PhD, or professional programs. - Scholarships for minority students
Scholarship programs supporting students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. - Scholarships for Native American students
Opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students.
FAQs about Connecticut scholarships
What scholarships are available for Connecticut students?
Connecticut students can pursue options like the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program, PACT tuition support at community colleges, regional community foundation scholarships, private and specialty awards, and institutional scholarships from colleges and universities across the state.
What is the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship?
The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program is Connecticut’s primary state financial aid program for eligible residents pursuing undergraduate education at participating in-state institutions. Requirements can vary by award type, so check with your school’s financial aid office.
What is the PACT (Pledge to Advance Connecticut)?
PACT is Connecticut’s debt-free community college tuition initiative (now commonly described as CT State’s tuition-free/free tuition program). Students usually need to meet residency and enrollment rules and complete required financial aid steps.
Are there Promise programs for Connecticut students?
Yes. Connecticut has Promise-style programs offered through certain cities and initiatives. Examples include Hartford Promise and New Haven Promise.
What deadlines do most Connecticut scholarships follow?
Deadlines vary by program, but many Connecticut scholarships open in the fall and close between late winter and early spring for the next academic year. Use a checklist and track deadlines for every program you plan to apply to.
What private scholarships are popular in Connecticut?
Many Connecticut students apply through regional community foundations, local civic organizations, and employer-sponsored programs. These opportunities may be tied to a town, high school, major, or community involvement.
What scholarships does UConn offer?
UConn offers institutional scholarships, including merit scholarships for qualifying students. Some are considered through admissions, while others may require additional steps, so review current timelines carefully.
Are there easy scholarships Connecticut students can apply for?
Yes. Some scholarships have shorter applications or no-essay requirements. You can also look at options like Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships, which let you apply to multiple scholarships with one streamlined application.
Do I need the FAFSA for Connecticut scholarships?
Many need-based Connecticut programs use FAFSA information, and schools often require it for institutional aid. Submitting the FAFSA® early can help you qualify for more types of assistance.
Can Connecticut community college students get scholarships?
Yes. Students at Connecticut community colleges may qualify for PACT / CT State free tuition as well as campus foundation awards, local scholarships, and private programs.
Need more money for college?
Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.