140 Hartford Public School Seniors Have Earned the Distinction of Becoming Hartford Promise Scholars in 2018
Hartford, CT – Hartford Promise is excited to announce that 140 students representing all seventeen Hartford Public High Schools have earned the distinction of becoming Hartford Promise Scholars, Class of 2018. Each student will receive up to $20,000 towards college as well as supports from the Hartford Promise College Success Program.
“This is a pivotal life-changing moment for these students and their families,” says Richard Sugarman, President of Hartford Promise. “It’s a game-changer. Despite facing significant challenges, these students have endured, they have stayed focused on education, they have been academically successful, and have earned this honor. They deserve our praise. They are true role models.”
These 140 new Scholars join the Classes of 2016 and 2017, bringing the total number of Hartford Promise Scholars to 397 in just three years. Since Hartford Promise Scholarships were first awarded in 2016, the percentage of qualified Hartford Public School students has increased from 14% to 16%. The Promise to make college more affordable is keeping Hartford students in school, working hard. “[Hartford Promise] has made a tremendous difference for our scholars in the college decision making process and word about this program has been getting out to students in lower grades. What this has meant and will continue to mean is quite exciting!” Emily Banks, principal of Achievement First Hartford High School.
Hartford Promise is a large-scale College Scholarship Fund and College Success Program that provides Hartford students the financial resources, support services, and key relationships that lead to college success. Our ambitious goals are to transform the lives of Hartford students and transform the city of Hartford.
HOW TO BECOME A PROMISE SCHOLAR
To become a Promise Scholar students must reside in Hartford and attend a Hartford Public High School continuously since 9th grade, have a 93% or better cumulative attendance record and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better on a 4.0 scale during high school.
The Hartford Promise Scholarship provides students attending any full time accredited 4-year college or university up to $5,000 per year, and students attending any full time accredited 2-year college up to $2,500 per year. Our first three classes of Scholars will receive $4,500,000 in Scholarships.
Hartford Promise Reaches Back into the Hartford Public Schools. The earlier one can influence students and families to think about and plan for college, the more likely students will graduate from high school, go to and be successful in college. We work closely with college counselors, college/career specialists, guidance offices and local community based organizations to build and reinforce college expectations, exposure, access and preparation.
Research shows that financial support is not enough to guarantee college success. Our Scholars, 75% of whom are low-income and 65% of whom are the first in their families to attend college, need guidance and support to succeed. Our Integrated College Success Model also Reaches Forward to make sure that Promise Scholars are KNOWN and provided with the transitional support and services proven to increase college success. This includes connecting Scholars to advisors, mentors and peer–to-peer support networks. 85% of our Scholars from the Classes of 2016 and 2017 have persisted successfully in their first year of college, compared to 60% nationally for similar student populations.
“The Promise Scholarship is special to me because it is specific to Hartford. Living in Hartford it seems that very little is available to us, so to have this scholarship awarded to me and others in the city makes me feel special and hopeful.” Promise Scholar and Wesleyan University student Jada Jenkins.
“This scholarship has been a pivotal part of my college decision making. Prior to this, tuition had been the most important factor in my decision. The Promise has enabled me to attend the college of my choice, UCONN…. I am honored to say that Hartford Promise has brought me closer to my dream.” Promise Scholar and UCONN student Franches Garay.
Hartford Promise is building strong partnerships with colleges and universities to provide additional financial support. Partner schools include the University of Connecticut (UCONN), Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), and the University of Chicago (UCH). Scholars that attend these schools can receive up to an additional $5,000 each year in financial support. The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) and the University of Hartford give Promise Scholars free housing. Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) offers Promise Scholars a $3,000 housing grant.
Our three classes of Promise Scholars will be attending more than 60 colleges and universities throughout the country, including: Bates, Bowdoin, CCSU, ECSU, Franklin & Marshall, Howard, Olin College of Engineering, Trinity College, Tufts, UCONN, University of Hartford, University of Pennsylvania, USJ, Washington University in St. Louis, Wellesley, Wesleyan, WPI, Yale and many other schools throughout New England and the country.
Supporters of Hartford Promise include: Travelers Foundation, Hartford Hospital, Say Yes Foundation, Newman’s Own Foundation, Hampshire Foundation, Patricelli Family Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, KeyBank, United Bank, Voya, Bissell Foundation, and many other corporations, foundations and individuals that believe in the power of education to transform lives.
Read more about Hartford Promise on our website: CLICK HERE
Meet some of our Scholars and supporters on our youtube channel: CLICK HERE.
For more information about the 2018 Hartford Promise Scholars, please contact Richard Sugarman at (860) 956-5310 or rsugarman@hartfordpromise.org.