Monroe Student Among Ten to Receive College Scholarships As Lieberman Scholars

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund announced today that five Connecticut students who are headed to college in the fall will be the second class to receive scholarships from the Fund, which was launched a year ago.  In addition, five students who received scholarships last year for their freshman year will have the scholarship renewed for their upcoming sophomore year.

The five students graduating Connecticut high schools this month - from Danbury, Ledyard, Stamford, Monroe and Ellington - 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 five student recipients from a year ago will receive $1,500 for their sophomore year studies when they return to school in the fall.

“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 news conference announcing the new and renewed 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.”

Students to receive scholarships for their freshman year, and college they plan to attend:

• Priyanka Altman, Danbury High School - Dartmouth College
• Brian Healy, Ledyard High School  - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Claire Howlett, Westhill High School, Stamford - Stanford University
• Allison Miller, Masuk High School, Monroe - Villanova University
• Erin Schirra, Ellington High School - Quinnipiac University

Students receiving second-year scholarships, the college they attend and their major:

• Emily Castle (Ridgefield High School) -Dartmouth College (Economics)
• Abigail Hungaski (Newtown High School) - American University (Political Science)
• Qiuyin Ren (Ledyard High School) - John Hopkins University (Biomedical Engineering)
• Paige Wallace (Wilton High School) - Harvard College (Social Studies)
• Christine Xu (Weston High School) - Harvard College (Biology)

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund received 552 applications from students attending 147 Connecticut high schools in 101 cities and towns in 2014 (plus two home school 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 have a 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.  

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.

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.