Tuition & Aid

Graduate Scholarships

Graduate Studies Committee Achievement and Academic Awards for AY 2026-2027

The Graduate Studies Committee Awards & Scholarships Subcommittee is responsible for administering the Academic Award and the Achievement Award each spring. The cycle begins in February/March and culminates in recognition at the University Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) celebration at the end of the spring semester.

Other scholarships are administered through the Office of Institutional Advancement are available at www.ccsu.edu/scholarships, or you may call the office of Institutional Advancement at 860-832-1748.

The IBP (Institute for Broadening Participation) would like to remind students of upcoming graduate fellowship and undergraduate scholarship deadlines. Many programs have application deadlines in the coming weeks and months!

Students can browse 77 different fellowship and scholarship listings.

Or use our advanced search feature to narrow down your selections by program.

Students can also sign up to receive notifications about programs.

Graduate Student Association Funding Opportunities

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) provides funding to support graduate student research, conference participation, and recognized graduate student societies. Funding is competitive and subject to available GSA resources.

GSA funding applications are accepted during established funding cycles. Before applying, please review the full application, confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements, and gather the information and documentation required for submission.

Fall 2026 Funding Cycle

Applications Open: Friday, August 28, 2026
Application Deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026

The fall application cycle will remain open for approximately one month to give applicants adequate time to review funding requirements, prepare their applications, and gather all required information and documentation.

Research applicants whose projects require IRB, IACUC, or other institutional approval should begin the applicable approval process as early as possible. Required approval or determination must be received before the GSA Research Funding application is submitted. Pending approval does not satisfy this requirement.

Applications must be complete at the time of submission. Required information or documentation may not be submitted separately or added to an application after it has been submitted.

Applicants who are not prepared to submit a complete Research or Conference Funding application during the fall cycle may apply during the Spring 2027 funding cycle. Graduate Student Society Funding is available during the fall cycle only.

Fall Funding Opportunities: Research Funding (up to $500), Conference Funding (up to $500 for attendees or $750 for presenters/formal participants), and Graduate Student Society Funding (up to $750).

Spring Funding Opportunities: Research Funding and Conference Funding only. Graduate Student Society Funding is available during the fall cycle only.

Before You Submit

Please take a few minutes to review the application before beginning. Make sure you:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for the funding opportunity.
  • Have the information and documentation necessary to complete the application.
  • Have received any required research approvals or determinations.
  • Review your application carefully before submitting it.
  • Submit your complete application by the published deadline.

Submission of an application does not guarantee funding or the maximum award amount. Award decisions are based on eligibility, the information provided in the application, funding priorities, and available GSA resources.

Receiving Your Award

Please allow approximately three weeks for approved funding to be processed. Funding will be deposited directly into the student's CCSU account.

If a student has an outstanding account balance at the time funding is processed, the award will be applied toward that balance. Students should plan accordingly and should no rely on GSA funding for immediate payment or reimbursement of expenses.

Questions about GSA funding may be directed to Graduate Studies at Central gradstudies@ccsu.edu

GSA Scholarships

Research Funding - Up to $500

GSA Research Funding provides awards of up to $500 to support eligible research, scholarly, and creative activities related to a student's graduate education.

Students may receive either GSA Research Funding or GSA Conference Funding during an academic year, but not both.

Projects requiring Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), or other institutional research approval must have received the required approval or determination before the GSA Research Funding application is submitted. Pending applications, submission confirmations, or documentation showing that review is in progress do not satisfy this requirement.

Required approval documentation must be included with the application at the time of submission. If required approval is still pending, students should wait and apply during the next GSA Research Funding cycle after approval has been received.

Apply for GSA Research Funding

Questions about GSA funding may be directed to Graduate Studies at Central gradstudies@ccsu.edu

Conference Funding - Up to $500 or $750

GSA Conference Funding supports eligible graduate students attending or formally participating in professional or academic conferences.

  • Students attending an eligible conference may apply for up to $500.
  • Students presenting or formally participating in an eligible conference may apply for up to $750.

Students may receive either GSA Conference Funding or GSA Research Funding during an academic year, but not both.

Applications must be submitted before the conference takes place. Retroactive Conference Funding requests will not be accepted. Students must also meet GSA eligibility requirements at the time of the conference; conferences occurring after graduation are not eligible for funding.

Apply for GSA Conference Funding

Questions about GSA funding may be directed to Graduate Studies at Central gradstudies@ccsu.edu

Graduate Student Society Funding - Up to $750

Recognized graduate student societies may apply for up to $750 per academic year to support academic, professional, educational, networking, community-building, and other activities that benefit graduate students.

Societies may receive one GSA Society Funding award per academic year. Society Funding applications are accepted during the fall funding cycle only; there is no spring Society Funding cycle.

Applications should provide a complete and accurate description of the society's proposed activities, anticipated participation and student benefit, and proposed use of funds.

Funding is awarded based on the activities and budget described in the approved application.

Approved funds must be used for the activities and purposes for which they were awarded. Significant changes to proposed activities or use of funds should be discussed with Graduate Studies before funds are redirected to a different purpose.

Apply for GSA Graduate Student Society Funding

Incoming Students

Central awards merit-based scholarships to select newly admitted graduate students as part of the admission process in accordance with the criteria for each of the scholarship programs. No scholarship application is necessary to be considered for an admission-based merit scholarship, but a FAFSA may be required in some cases.

To be eligible for financial aid, a student must be matriculated at Central.

Academic Award

The Graduate Student Academic Award is available to any student nominated by faculty who meets the requirements. The award is strictly ceremonial; there is no scholarship attached. 

Nomination Process:

  • Department chairs will receive a list of eligible students (compiled by the Graduate Studies Awards & Scholarships Subcommittee) to share with program coordinators and faculty
  • Programs can nominate as many students as they like, provided they meet the criteria

Award criteria:

  • 3.5 GPA or higher,
  • No Cs, and only one B on their transcript
  • No incompletes (with the exception of an incomplete for their thesis/capstone/scholarly project)
  • Students do not need to have any remaining credits beyond the semester in which the award is given

Achievement Award

The Graduate Student Achievement Award is given to one student from each school and one student from an AOCP/ 6th year program. Recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship and therefore need to have at least 3 remaining credits beyond the semester the award is received. 

Nomination Process:

  • Each program nominates one student (process is program dependent) and provides a letter of recommendation.
  • Nominated students provide their transcripts and a resume/CV along with a cover letter expressing their qualifications for the award. 

Award criteria:

  • Scholarly Inquiry – Students will have demonstrated exceptional intellectual curiosity, reflective thinking, and the application of rigor in the evolving formulation of knowledge.
  • Leadership – Students will have demonstrated initiative for shaping the direction of their disciplines by modeling high standards of professional behavior and motivating others to do the same.
  • Community Engagement – Students will have endeavored to address the educational, socio-cultural, and economic needs of their communities, whether on campus or within the broader region.

The Graduate Studies Committee Awards & Scholarship Subcommittee will review the nominations and choose winners based on the above criteria. The winners, the nominating faculty, and the student’s family are invited to a luncheon during the University’s URCAD (University Research and Creative Achievement Day) celebration, where they will be acknowledged. Those nominated for the Achievement Award but do not win will automatically receive an Academic Award. 

Timeline:

  • Nomination forms open on March 23rd
  • Nominations due by April 6th
  • Student materials for Achievement Award due by April 13th
  • Winners announced on April 20th
  • URCAD Awards on May 8th

Graduate Studies Committee Awards & Scholarships Subcommittee

Jillian Maynard (Chair) - j.maynard@ccsu.edu

Leah Scharfenberger – leah.scharfenberger@ccsu.edu 

Stephanie Stewart – stephaniestewart@ccsu.edu 

Amy Gagnon (Graduate Studies Office) - amygagnon@ccsu.edu 

American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship

Women graduate students and scholars are encouraged to apply for an American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship! The deadline for 2017-18 awards is December 1st and quickly approaching.
Who may apply: Women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Funding: $18,000 - $30,000
Deadline: December 1st

Forté Foundation is a non-profit consortium of leading companies and top business schools working together to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, opportunities, and a community of successful women.

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