Collaboration will yield significant scholarship, covering
most of tuition cost for Bridgeport's 2024 graduates.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn., June 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- University
of Bridgeport (UB) is excited to announce a new scholarship,
"Bridgeport's Brightest," to
support 2024 high school graduates of Bridgeport public high schools as they pursue
their higher education. With this initiative, UB's yearly tuition
will be reduced to $7,000 for
commuters, or $12,500 for residential
students that includes room and board. This scholarship could
significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for
students eligible for Federal Pell Grants or CT state grants. The
result of the collaboration and deepening relationship between
University of Bridgeport and
Bridgeport Public Schools, the
Bridgeport's Brightest Scholarship
Program centers around addressing complications students faced this
year resulting from the rollout of the new FAFSA application.
FAFSA applications are down almost 15% year-over-year in
Connecticut, and according to the
National College Attainment Network (NCAN), underserved and
minority students are most affected. NCAN is raising concerns about
what this might mean for students who rely on financial aid to
afford a college education.
UB's President, Dr. Danielle
Wilken, and Bridgeport's
Superintendent, Dr. Carmela
Levy-David, met this challenge and worked together to find a
solution for 2024 Bridgeport public
high school graduates who may be negatively impacted by the lack of
access to financial aid for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.
The solution? Bridgeport's
Brightest — a four-year renewable scholarship program. Bridgeport's Brightest Scholarship will
greatly reduce the financial burden on local students wanting to
earn their college degrees.
"We are deeply committed to investing in our local community and
fostering the next generation of life-long learners," shared
President Wilken. "By partnering with Bridgeport Public Schools, we aim to provide
more students with the resources and support they need to pursue
higher education," she said. "This scholarship is not just an
investment in individual futures but also in the future of our
community as a whole."
Dr. Levy-David emphasized the impact this scholarship
opportunity could have on local students, their families, and the
city, saying, "Bridgeport Public
Schools is proud to join University of
Bridgeport in supporting our students to change their lives
in one generation through their access to higher learning. This
partnership ensures that students will continue to have equitable
access to a brighter future in the city they call home."
UB is using a combination of grants, scholarships, and
institutional aid to ensure that as many Bridgeport high school graduates have access
to a UB education as possible. Access to quality higher education
ensures more underrepresented groups can succeed academically and
professionally; it is the key to realizing equity and breaking the
cycles of generational poverty.
"I'm thrilled to know that University of
Bridgeport is offering a renewable four-year scholarship to
Bridgeport's 2024 high school
graduates," said Bridgeport Mayor
Joe Ganim, sharing in the enthusiasm
for this collaboration. "Providing quality education to
Bridgeport students is always high
on our list of priorities in this City, and because of this, we're
grateful for the support University of
Bridgeport is now offering to our graduates for the upcoming
academic year." Ganim continued, "I'm certain this will inspire
local students and help them understand that higher education is
obtainable with the financial assistance provided through the
University."
Learn more about University of
Bridgeport and hear directly from Dr. Wilken and Dr.
Levy-David about this transformative scholarship opportunity
here.
About University of
Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport offers
career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees
and programs for people seeking personal and professional growth.
The University promotes academic excellence, personal
responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in
an international, culturally diverse, and supportive learning
environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an
increasingly interconnected world. The University is independent
and non-sectarian. www.bridgeport.edu
For media inquiries, please contact:
Abby Levandoski
Communications Manager
University of Bridgeport
Email: aleva@bridgeport.edu
Phone: 203-576-4151
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SOURCE University of Bridgeport