2,200 Respond to State's Offer of Free Community College; Will Receive $2.5 Million in Grants

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Connecticut’s tuition and fee free community college program for first-time students is off to a strong start, according to officials of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system, which includes the state’s 12 community colleges.

More than 2,200 students will be receiving $2.5 million in grant awards via the new Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) initiative, as of the July 15 deadline for priority consideration. These qualified students will owe no out-of-pocket tuition or mandatory fees to attend one of Connecticut’s community colleges during the upcoming academic year.

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More than half – those whose tuition and fees are already covered by existing federal, state, and institutional funding – will receive the minimum grant of $250 for educational expenses, officials explained.

There is no specific maximum dollar amount that the program would cover for an individual student. If a qualified student receives no federal, state, or institutional grant funding, PACT would cover all tuition and mandatory fees, according to CSCU.  The PACT funds are credited to students - much the same as  state and federal grants - at the beginning of the semester, so that qualified students have no out of pocket expenses.

The goals of PACT are to mitigate excess debt for students and families; increase student enrollment within the community college sector; support student retention efforts across the system; and support on-time credential completion.  The initiative was passed by the state legislature in 2019 and begins this fall. It was designed to allow first-time college students to earn up to 72 college credits without incurring debt.

The community colleges will continue to accept applications for PACT for the fall semester on a first come, first served basis. Enrolling students receive priority in the order in which they are received, within available funding. CSCU plans to award at least an additional $1 million in PACT scholarships to eligible students.

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The Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) allocated $3 million last month in one-time funding to launch the PACT program.   Passed as part of the 2019 biennial budget, but without a designated source of funding, the BOR's action was expected to cover PACT scholarships for eligible students for the fall 2020 semester, but additional state funding would be required for the program to continue in the spring, according to published reports.

In order to qualify for PACT, potential students must meet the following requirements:

  •          Be a graduate of a public or private Connecticut high school (GED and homeschooled students qualify).

  •          Be a first-time college student (those who participated in dual enrollment programs while in high school are not excluded).

  •          Fill out FAFSA and accept all awards.

  •          Attend community college full-time (12 or more credits per semester).

  •          Participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program.

  •          Once enrolled, remain in good academic standing.

“It is not too late for qualified students to attend college with no out-of-pocket expenses,” said Dr. David Levinson, interim president of Connecticut State Community College, which will be the same if the merger of the 12 colleges into one institution, now pending, is ultimately approved. “With free community college and seamless transfer to our universities, students can earn even earn a four-year degree while saving tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a win-win, but potential students should not wait.”

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The program does not cover costs of textbooks and supplies, as well as some fees, such as portfolio assessment fees.  A PACT award is available to qualifying students for the first 72 credit hours earned from a Connecticut Community College during the first 36 months that the student is enrolled.

To apply for the program, eligible students must enroll in classes at any of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. PACT is a last-dollar scholarship, so once students enroll in classes and complete all necessary financial aid documentation, including the FAFSA, PACT funding will be applied to their account.

"For everyone from recent high school graduates to older adults seeking a college education for the first time, community college provides a high-quality educational option close to home," said Alison Buckley, Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Interested students can enroll at www.ct.edu/pact.