Scholarship Resources

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grants, student loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Connecticut Community Foundation also uses FAFSA as part of its review process for most funds. We suggest that you begin looking into FAFSA as early as possible if you intend to apply for scholarships.

Waterbury PAL’s College Planning Guide Designed by Students for Students

This locally developed planner includes information on the financial aid process, scholarships, application timeline, securing internships, fly-in programs, testing options, free tutoring programs, and much more.

U.S. Department of Education and Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, our 1,200 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school.

Your High School Guidance Office

One of the best resources for finding local scholarships is the guidance office at your high school. Consult your guidance/career counselor for more information.

Searching for Other Scholarships on the Internet

There are thousands of scholarships, from all kinds of organizations, and they’re not hard to find. You might be able to get a scholarship for being a good student, a great basketball player, or a member of a certain church, or because your parent works for a particular company, or for some other reason. Find out more about finding and applying for scholarships. You’ll also want to be careful and avoid scholarship scams.

American Savings Foundation Scholarships

American Savings Foundation, located in New Britain, Connecticut, also awards a substantial number of college scholarships.  Applicants must live in one of the 64 Connecticut towns served by American Savings Foundation. Learn more

Connecticut Talent Assistance Cooperative (CONNTAC)

CONNTAC-Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a federally funded program that provides FREE Educational Counseling & Career Planning Services to individuals who demonstrate financial, academic, cultural, or social need.  The mission of CONNTAC is to promote and expand equal educational access and opportunity for Connecticut residents. Program services include but are not limited to: Helping students with their financial aid and scholarship search process, assistance with FAFSA completion, providing admissions application fee waivers for eligible participants, etc.

Eligibility is determined by the CONNTAC-Educational Opportunity Center Counselor.  Please contact Shanon Taunton, Educational Counselor at staunton@conntacinc.org or at 203-441–0723.  Or, to apply for assistance, please fill out the online form at: https://www.conntacinc.org/intake-form-complete

NOTE: These sites are provided for informational purposes. Their inclusion here does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the Connecticut Community Foundation. The Foundation will not consider solicitations for additional websites.