“We are proud to partner with the Board of Education in such an impactful way,” said Mayor Neil O’Leary. “This additional resource aims to decrease the financial burden while ultimately encouraging our students to excel within WPS and to continue on to post-secondary education. The Promise Scholarship will assist in recognizing and rewarding our student’s intellect and create a path for future success.”

The Waterbury Promise Scholarship will provide scholarships to Waterbury Public School students and Waterbury students who attend Holy Cross High School and W.F. Kaynor Technical High School, who meet the following criteria:

· Student is a Waterbury resident and has attended all four years at a Waterbury Public School, Kaynor Technical School or Holy Cross High School

· Student has earned a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher

· Student has achieved a 90% or better cumulative attendance

· Student has completed and submitted a FAFSA

· Student has applied and has been accepted to a 2 year or 4 year Connecticut accredited college or university

Waterbury Promise will provide $5,000 per student per year of college beginning with the class of 2025 and each following graduating class. The Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship; the award covers the gap that remains after all individual grants, financial aid, and other scholarships have been applied. In addition, Waterbury Promise recognizes that all students should benefit from the program and will make eligible students in the following classes who meet the criteria with the below scholarship amounts:

· Current Class of 2022: Awarded $1,250 per student per year of college.

· Current Class of 2023: Awarded $2,500 per student per year of college.

· Current Class of 2024: Awarded $3,750 per student per year of college.

 “The mission of Waterbury Promise aligns with WPS’ mission, which is to assist our students in achieving their highest potential,” said Superintendent Dr. Verna Ruffin. “Education plays a crucial role in the empowerment of young adults, and our commitment through this scholarship is to empower our students while also allowing a path of future success through post-secondary education.”

The City has formed a Waterbury Promise Committee with 12 selected members. All members were selected by Mayor O’Leary with input from community fellows. The 12-members established the allotted financial award and select the recipients of the Promise Scholarship using the criteria guidelines.

Waterbury Promise Committee members include:

Neil M. O’Leary – Mayor, City of Waterbury
Dr. Verna D. Ruffin –Superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools
Karen Harvey – Former WPS Board Member 
Sean Mosley, J.D. – Vice Principal, Crosby High School / Administrator of ECHS

Julie Loughran – President & CEO at CT Community Foundation
Judge Maurice Mosley  
Adrienne Parkmond – COO, The Workplace

Steven E. Schneider, MD, MBA – President of Saint Mary’s Hospital
LeeAnn Silva Neal, JD – Center for Children’s Advocacy
Kathy Taylor, JD – NVCC Professor
Marcy Tejeda, MD – Waterbury OB/GYN

Waterbury Promise Scholarship
In collaboration with the City of Waterbury, Waterbury Public Schools has founded a 501(c)3 organization aimed at providing Waterbury student residents a Waterbury Promise Scholarship. The Promise Scholarship Program will be available beginning with the Class of 2022. Waterbury Promise will provide tuition assistance to Waterbury high school students who wish to continue their post-secondary education and have met the qualifications. Waterbury Promise was established to help address some of the challenges of higher education affordability by offering a “last dollar” scholarship to students. The Promise Scholarship Program will assist in strengthening the college going culture for future generations.
 

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Belen Michelis, Director of Communications, belen.michelis@waterbury.k12.ct.us