The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund announced today that five Connecticut students who are headed to college in the fall will be the first to receive scholarships from the Fund, which was launched earlier this year.
The students - from Ledyard, Newtown, Ridgefield, Weston and Wilton - will each receive $1,500 scholarships for their freshman year, which can be renewed for their sophomore, junior and senior years if the students maintain a solid academic record.
“The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund is a way for me to both thank and give back to Connecticut by helping outstanding seniors go to college and pursue their dreams,” said Sen. Lieberman at a State Capitol news conference announcing the recipients. “Higher education can provide the foundation for greater opportunity and making a difference in local communities and our nation. I am grateful to have the chance to support these students as they advance in their academic studies.”
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Emily Castle, Ridgefield High School
Abigail Hungaski, Newtown High School
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Qiuyin Ren, Ledyard High School
Paige Wallace, Wilton High School
Christine Xu, Weston High School
In its inaugural year in 2013, the Joe Lieberman Scholarship Fund received 512 applications from Connecticut students. The review and evaluation of applications was completed by a selection committee at Scholarship Management Services, based on factors including academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, and career and educational goals and objectives. Financial need is not considered. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and record of community service.
To be eligible, students must be high school seniors who reside in and receive their high school education in Connecticut, plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year, have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a record of community service, and be United States citizens or permanent legal residents.
Paige Wallace, whose major field of study at Harvard University will be the Classics, received the Gold Medal on the National Latin Exam, the Wilton Historical Society Award, and the Jamie K.Wilson Scholarship Award, given to a senior with an interest in teaching.
“I applied for this scholarship to help my family pay for the high cost of my college education, especially with my older sister in college at the same time,” said Wallace. “To me, high quality education for all is very important. My ultimate goal is to promote education reform in the United States. Senator Lieberman’s scholarship is helping me fund that goal.”
Annually, up to five students are to be selected to receive a $1,500 award from the Fund – renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Scholarship awards are only for undergraduate studies.
Sen. Lieberman used excess funds from his campaign fund to seed the scholarship program, and additional funds have been raised. The scholarship is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin. Scholarships will be awarded for full-time study at an accredited institution of the students’ choice.
