The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is collaborating with the College Board on a program that will provide scholarship funds for students from lower-income families, beginning with the class of 2020.
The scholarships can be used at any accredited two-year or four-year college and are open to all students, regardless of citizenship status. The College Board has committed $25 million over five years to the program and has already allocated over $1 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students across the country.
“These scholarships offer a great opportunity for high school students who are pursuing higher education and struggling with the growing costs of college,” said Gov. Ned Lamont in announcing Connecticut”™s participation in the program. “I want to thank the College Board for partnering with our state on this important initiative ”“ it will result in many more students being able to access the necessary opportunities that will help them advance their career goals.”
“At CSDE, we have been committed to outreach efforts to engage and encourage more students to participate in rigorous coursework while increasing their access to college-level material and college-entrance exams, especially for students of color and those from low-income families,” CSDE Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell said. “We are starting to see our collective work pay off with steady increases in college and career readiness for all student groups for the second year in a row. With the support of partners like the College Board, we will continue to deliver on our promise of equity and excellence for all Connecticut students by making higher education more affordable and accessible.”