First recipients of New Haven Promise scholarships honored

The first high school students to receive New Haven Promise scholarships were honored on July 21 at a ceremony in Sprague Hall of the Yale School of Music.

President Richard C. Levin joined New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven CEO and President Will Ginsberg, and New Haven Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo in addressing the students, who also watched a video message from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

There were 151 students who applied for and qualified for a Promise scholarship by living in New Haven, attending New Haven public schools, earning at least a 3.0 grade point average, having 90% attendance, a positive disciplinary record and completing 10 hours of community service in their senior year. Of the total, 110 accepted the scholarship, which can be used at any two- or four-year public or non-profit private college or university in Connecticut.

“We hope and trust that most of you, after completing college, will choose the city of New Haven as the place you live and work,” Levin told the scholarship recipients. “We believe that your contributions to this city will more than repay our investment in you. You are the future of New Haven. You are its ‘promise.’”

Scholarship amounts will be phased in over the next four years. In this first year of the program, New Haven Promise scholarships cover up to 25% of tuition costs of a public institution. To maintain the scholarship while in college students must earn a 2.5 GPA. Next year’s graduates will be eligible for up to 50% of tuition costs; the following class will receive up to 75% and the following class will receive up to 100% tuition.

The New Haven Promise Scholarship program is funded by Yale University, and administered and funded by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Yale-New Haven Hospital and Wells Fargo also help fund the program.