Massive Scholarship Opportunity For Hartford Students Unveiled

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

HARTFORD, CT — Students from Hartford will be the beneficiaries of a massive new scholarship program that could, essentially, take care of all their higher education needs.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Monday, April 21, launched the Greater Futures Scholarship Fund, a new initiative that provides qualifying Hartford Public School students with up to $100,000 over four years to pursue higher education.

"This first-of-its-kind program, developed in partnership with Hartford Promise, marks a bold investment in education, economic mobility, and Greater Hartford’s future as part of the Foundation’s 100th anniversary initiatives," wrote the foundation.

The scale of the initiative — the number of students it will support, the size of the financial investment, and the breadth of resources provided — is unlike any other program of its kind in the U.S.

With an initial $20 million investment, the Hartford Foundation will award each qualifying member of the Class of 2025 with $20,000 annually.

When paired with Hartford Promise’s existing $5,000 annual scholarship award, it will provide scholars with up to $25,000 per year — or up to $100,000 over four years.

More than 110 members of the Class of 2025 will receive the scholarship, with plans to expand the program to support as many as 500 students annually.

“Every student deserves the freedom to choose their own future without being held back by financial barriers,” said Jay Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Hartford Foundation.

“The Greater Futures Scholarship Fund is more than just tuition assistance — it’s a comprehensive support system that will change lives, strengthen communities, and serve as a national model for education-driven economic transformation.”

The Greater Futures Scholarship Fund is open to all Hartford Public School students who meet the following criteria:

• Must be a Hartford resident enrolled continuously in Hartford Public Schools since ninth grade.
• 93 percent attendance rate or higher throughout high school.
• 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.

“This program is truly transformative — not just for students, but for the entire city of Hartford,” said Sivan Hines, president of Hartford Promise. “It incentivizes families to stay in Hartford, strengthens our local workforce, and sets a new precedent for how philanthropy can drive economic growth.”

For more information on the Greater Futures Scholarship Fund or to learn how you can support this initiative, visit Greater Futures Scholarship Fund: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. To see a video of Hartford Promise Students and Families Learning about the new scholarship, click on this link.