College Readiness for the High School Class of 2023

August 3, 2022

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation dispersing more than $120 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds annually to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school. The application opens on October 1.

Connecticut College Bound (#CTCollegeBound) is an initiative created through a partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, the College Board, New Haven Promise, the Connecticut Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA), the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, ECMC The College Place, and the University of Connecticut.

These organizations have joined forces to host FREE FAFSA workshops for students and their families.

Financial aid professionals will be available to help students and families navigate the process of need-based federal aid. Those who sign up will receive a checklist of items that they will need to successfully complete the process. Virtual workshops are open to all high school students state-wide.

Click here for a bilingual FAFSA CT flyer. Haga clic aquí para el folleto bilingüe de FAFSA CT.

VIRTUAL FAFSA WORKSHOPS*

Thurs., Feb. 16 — 6 pm — Open to all. Registration closed.

IN-PERSON FAFSA WORKSHOPS*

Fri., Feb. 10 — 5:00 pm — Open to all. Griswold High School. Registration closed.

*WORKSHOPS ARE ADDED UPON RECEIPT. COME BACK FOR UPDATES.

PAST FAFSA WORKSHOPS

Wed., Oct. 12 — 8 am — Hill Regional Career High School Seniors.
Thurs., Oct. 13 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.
Mon., Oct. 17 — 6 pm — Glastonbury High School Seniors.
Tues., Oct. 18 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.
Thur., Oct. 20 — 6 pm — New Haven Academy Seniors.
Sat., Oct. 22 — 10 am — Open to all. Norwalk Community College.
Tues., Oct. 25 — 5:30 pm — Open to all. High School in the Community.
Wed., Oct. 26 — 6 pm — Virtual. Solo en Español.
Wed., Nov. 2 — 4 pm — Open to all. Fitch High School.
Thurs., Nov. 3 — 10 am — Open to all. New Haven Adult Education.
Sat., Nov. 5 — 11 am — Virtual. Open to all.
Thurs., Nov. 10 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.
Tues., Nov. 15 — 6:30 pm — Virtual. Open to all. Hosted by Quinnipiac University.
Wed., Nov. 16 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.
Thurs., Nov. 17 — 4:00 pm — Hartford Public High School.
Sat., Nov. 19 — 9 am — Open to all. Bristol Central High School.

Sat., Nov. 19 — 11 am — Naugatuck High School Seniors.
Sat. Nov. 26 — 11 am — Virtual. Open to all.
Tues., Nov. 29 — 4:00 pm — Junta Undocu College Financial Aid Night
Wed., Nov. 30 — 6:00 pm — Rockville High School.
Thurs., Dec. 1 — 6:00 pm — West Hartford High Schools (Conard High School and Hall High School).
Thurs., Dec. 1 — 6:00 pm — Plainville High Schools.
Sat., Dec. 3 — 10 am — Open to all. Southern Connecticut State University.
Tues., Dec. 13 — 6 pm — Virtual. Solo en Español.
Weds., Jan. 11 — 6:30 pm — Virtual. Open to all. Hosted by Quinnipiac University.
Thurs., Jan. 12 — 6:00 pm — Plainfield High School.
Wed., Jan. 18 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.
Sat., Jan. 21 — 10:00 am — Connecticut River Academy Seniors.
Thurs., Jan. 26 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.
Weds., Feb. 1 — 5:30 pm — Open to all. Hosted by Essex Library Association.
Sat., Feb. 4 — 11 am — Virtual. Open to all.
Tues., Feb. 7 — 6:30 pm — L.E.A.P High School Seniors.
Mier., Feb. 8 — 6 pm — Virtual. Solo en Español.
Fri., Feb. 10 — 5:00 pm — Open to all. Griswold High School.
Thurs., Feb. 16 — 6 pm — Virtual. Open to all.

Are You Hosting a FAFSA Workshop? Register Your FAFSA CT Workshop Here!

For details regarding the support we offer, please click the workshop registration link above.

College Access Events

There will be an array of online events coming up for all students who have specific interests as they relate to college-going and the associated costs, thanks to ECMC The College Place Connecticut and Quinnipiac University. Experienced professionals will be available to guide you and answer questions. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the event. College Access Events are Open to All.

Tues., Jan. 31— 6:00 pm EST — A Parent’s Guide to the Financial Aid Process – Register here.
(Virtual. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Education)

This webinar is intended for parents. It will provide guidance and essential tips on how to prepare and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The U.S. Department of Education will also provide critical steps to remember once the form is completed. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, November 15, 2023 – CT State Universities Fee FREE Application Day
(Virtual. Hosted by the C.T. State Department of Education)
On this day, Connecticut High School seniors can apply to CT State Colleges & Universities for free.

Quinnipiac University Events*

Wed., Oct. 19 — 6:00 pm (Virtual) — College 101: Common App Workshop
Wed., Nov. 2 — 6:00 pm (Metropolitan Business Academy, New Haven, CT) — College Essay 101 Workshop

*High School seniors who attend the workshops with Quinnipiac University will receive an application fee waiver. For questions regarding the Quinnipiac University workshops, please contact Erika Castillo or Shana Kay Robinson.

ECMC The College Place CT Events

ECMC The College Place is a free college access center that helps students of ALL ages in Connecticut. They cover topics from making a college list, how to complete the Common App, SAT prep advice, paying for college, finding scholarships, and more! Connect with TCP at https://bit.ly/ECMCTCP.

FOR SCHOOLS & COLLEGE ACCESS AGENCIES:

ECMC Offers College Nights. College Nights are free interactive events designed to help high school students in ALL grades and their families understand the college-planning process. This year, 13 College Nights have been scheduled in Connecticut (list here). Events include a PowerPoint presentation and supporting materials to help students:

  • Understand how education can change their lives
  • Choose their education path
  • Learn how to pay for college
  • Identify what steps they can take now to prepare for education beyond high school

Nationally, ECMC has funding for 125 sites to raffle off a $1,000 scholarship to a College Nights student attendee per year.

For questions regarding the ECMC The College Place sessions, please contact Holly Franquet.