Isabella Mota scholarship recipient from Waterbury.
Connecticut Community Foundation continues its decades-long tradition of turning academic dreams into reality by awarding approximately $1.1 million in scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. More than 400 students in Greater Waterbury will benefit from this support, enabling them to pursue their educational goals at two-year and four-year institutions nationwide. This year’s achievement was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of over 160 local donors who have established enduring scholarship funds at the Foundation.
Nearly 40% of the Foundation’s scholarship awards over the past three years were awarded to Waterbury students, who often face financial and other barriers in accessing higher education opportunities. These scholarship awards, most of which are renewable for up to four years, benefit students who have demonstrated both merit and need.
Angelica Pelaez scholarship recipient from Waterbury.
Angelica Pelaez of Waterbury commented on her scholarship, “I am grateful to receive a scholarship from the Connecticut Community Foundation as I am a first-generation Latino college-student. This scholarship allows me to further my education as I have been accepted into the University of Saint Joseph Physician Assistant class of 2027. I hope to give back to my community of Waterbury as a future primary care provider.”
“I am very lucky to be included in the list of the beneficiaries of the Elizabeth H. Andersen and Nina E. Andersen Scholarship followed by my enrollment at the University of Connecticut,” said Isabella Mota, a first-time scholarship recipient from Waterbury. “By way of this scholarship, I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with the goal of earning a master’s degree to practice in the mental health field and make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
Students from several towns in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills also received awards, including from Beacons Falls, Bridgewater, Goshen, Litchfield, Middlebury, Naugatuck, New Milford, Oxford, Prospect, Roxbury, Southbury, Thomaston, Warren, Washington, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury. (See the full list)
Generous donors have established more than 160 scholarship funds at the Foundation to benefit area students. As one of the largest scholarship providers in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills, the Foundation has awarded nearly 8,000 scholarships totaling over $16 million since 1999. These scholarships have provided vital support to students, particularly in a year marked by the significant challenges associated with the US Department of Education’s updated FAFSA financial aid system. In response, the Foundation’s staff offered continuous communication and flexibility to ensure that students could complete their applications and receive the support they needed.
“Education is a powerful catalyst for change, and the scholarships we provide are investments in the future of our community. These funds open doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed, allowing students to pursue their aspirations with confidence,” said Kathy Taylor, president and CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation. “We are profoundly grateful to our donors, whose generosity enables us to support so many of our talented students. Together, we are building a brighter, more equitable future for everyone in our region.”
Connecticut Community Foundation is honored to nurture this cycle of generosity, where today’s scholarships create lasting impacts that will resonate for generations to come.
View the complete list of students by town who have been awarded scholarships by Connecticut Community Foundation for the 2024-25 academic year at www.conncf.org/scholars. To learn more about establishing a scholarship fund at the Foundation, visit www.conncf.org/create-a-fund
