The State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education awarded Three Rivers Community College $882,998 from the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Grant Program. The award reflects a $351,239 increase over last year’s grant, making it possible for TRCC to assist Connecticut residents taking full and part-time classes. The need-based grants are available for two-year and four-year programs of study.

The financial assistance provided by grants like the Willis Scholarship program are vital to students who rely on the solid educational foundation that community colleges provide, and to those who plan to transfer to a university to earn a higher degree.

The fund supports Connecticut residents who are high school seniors or graduates with a high school junior year class rank of 20% or better and/or SAT scores of at least 1800 or ACT score of at least 27. Recipients must attend a Connecticut public or non-profit private college. Awards are up to $5,250 a year for full-time attendance in a 4-year program of study; up to $4,650 a year for full-time attendance in a 2-year program of study, and are based on financial need and academic merit.

For a needs-based award, students must be Connecticut residents who attend a Connecticut public or non-profit private college. Recipients must have a federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) within the allowable range. Awards can be made up to $4,500 for full-time study in a 2- or 4-year program of study.

Formerly called the Governor’s Scholarship, the grant was renamed in May 2016 in honor of State Representative Roberta Willis (64th District) when she retired after 16 years in the General Assembly. Most recently she served as House Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, and a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Environment Committee.