CHET Advance Scholarship

The CHET Advance Scholarship is an annual program offered by the Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office to help Connecticut students pay for college.

“With the rising costs of college education outpacing families' efforts to save, it is essential that we provide assistance and raise awareness of the savings options that can help,” said State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier, Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET). “College should be an attainable and affordable dream for everyone. Our students are the future economic engine of our state and CHET Advance will help them on their way to a productive career.”

In 2017, the program awarded $2,500 scholarships to 100 high school seniors with a GPA of at least 2.0 and initial $2,000 scholarships to 100 freshmen.  The freshmen have the opportunity to receive an additional $500 if the student's family saves $500 in a CHET account by the time the student graduates from high school.  The students who were seniors will receive checks in summer 2018 to start college in the fall of 2018.

Photos from 2017 Winners' Ceremony

In 2016, the program awarded $2,500 scholarships to 100 high school seniors with a GPA of at least 2.0 and initial $2,000 scholarships to 100 freshmen.  The freshmen have the opportunity to receive an additional $500 if the student's family saves $500 in a CHET account by the time the student graduates from high school.  The students who were seniors received checks in summer 2017 to start college in the fall of 2017.

Photos from 2016 Winners' Ceremony

In 2015, the program awarded $2,500 scholarships to 100 high school seniors with a GPA of at least 2.0 and initial $2,000 scholarships to 100 freshmen.  The freshmen have the opportunity to receive an additional $500 if the student's family saves $500 in a CHET account by the time the student graduates from high school.  The students who were seniors received checks in summer 2016 to start college in the fall of 2016.

Photos from 2015 Winners' Ceremony

In 2014, the program awarded $2,500 scholarships to 100 high school juniors with a GPA of at least 2.0 and initial $2,000 scholarships to sixth-grade students. The sixth graders have the opportunity to receive an additional $500 if the student's family saves $500 in a CHET account by the time the student goes to college. 

Photos from 2014 Winners' Ceremony

 In 2013, the program awarded $2,500 scholarships to 200 Connecticut high school seniors.

No state funds or CHET account participant fees are used for the scholarship awards issued under the CHET Advance Scholarship program. CHET Advance is administered under the banner of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust, Connecticut’s 529 college savings plan. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) and The Hartford, plan managers for CHET Direct-Sold and CHET Advisor-Sold, respectively, contribute annually into a Scholarship account to finance the Scholarship program, under their contracts with the Treasurer"Ÿs Office to manage the CHET programs.

News from December 6, 2017 press release: Treasurer Nappier Announces 2017 CHET Advance Scholarship Winners; 200 Connecticut High School Students to Receive $500,000

News from December 12, 2016 press release: Treasurer Nappier Announces 2016 CHET Advance Scholarship Winners; 200 9th and 12th Grade Connecticut Students To Receive $500,000

News from August 24, 2016 press release: CHET Launches 2016 Advance Scholarship Contest For High School Seniors And Freshman; $500,000 To Be Distributed To 200 Winners

News from December 11, 2015 press releases: Treasurer Nappier Announces 2015 Chet Advance Scholarship Winners; 200 9th And 12th Grade Students To Receive $500,000 and 2015 CHET Advance Recipients

News from August 24, 2015 press release: 2015 CHET Advance Scholarship Will Award $500,000 to High School Seniors and Freshmen

News from June 23, 2014 press releases: Treasurer Nappier Announces 2014 CHET Advance Scholarship Winners; 6th and 11th Grade Students Gather at Uplifting Awards Ceremony and 2014 CHET Advance Scholarship Recipients

News from March 12, 2014 press release: Treasurer Nappier Launches Second Year of CHET Advance Scholarship - $500,000 To Be Distributed to High School Juniors and Sixth-Grade Students

News from November 8, 2013 press release: CHET Advance Scholarship Winners, Who Come From All Eight Counties, Comment on Their Awards

News from October 30, 2013 press releases: Treasurer Nappier Announces Chet Advance Scholarship Winners - $500,000 To Be Distributed and  2013 CHET Advance Scholarship Recipients

News from September 3, 2013 press release: Treasurer Nappier Launches CHET Advance Scholarship -- $500,000 To Be Distributed in Program's First Round for High School Seniors