Connecticut Students Earn College Scholarships from Fund Created by Former Sen. Joe Lieberman

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund has begun accepting applications from students planning to graduate high school in June 2026 and begin college in the Fall.The Scholarship Fund also announced that five Connecticut students who completed their first semester in college in Fall 2025, were the 13th class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the Fund.

The family of Senator Lieberman, who passed away in March 2024 at age 82, honors his memory by continuing the scholarship fund that he began after concluding his remarkable public service career of more than 40 years in elected office.

The five students who graduated from high school in June 2025 - from Trumbull, Sandy Hook, Stamford, Farmington and Fairfield – are each receiving $1,500 scholarships for their freshman year, which can be renewed for their sophomore, junior and senior years if they maintain a solid academic record.

Students receiving scholarships for their freshman year (and their former high school, college, and current academic major) are:

• Christina Cao, Trumbull; Hopkins School (New Haven), Univ. of Pennsylvania (Mathematical Economics)
• Charles Dunn, Sandy Hook; Newtown High School, Johns Hopkins University (Mechanical Engineering)
• Rachel Kelly, Stamford; Stamford High School, University of Pittsburgh (Marketing)
• Leila Taweh, Farmington; Farmington High School, Brown University (Liberal Medical Education)
• Caitlyn Yang, Fairfield; Fairfield Ludlowe High School, University of Pennsylvania (Philosophy/Politics/Economics)

“Higher education can provide inspiring and determined young people with new ways to expand their horizons and seize opportunities,” said Hadassah Lieberman, wife of the late Senator.“Our family is pleased to continue the legacy of supporting outstanding students with this scholarship and commend their impressive accomplishments. My beloved husband greatly appreciated the support of the people of Connecticut through the years and firmly believed that the scholarship recipients would distinguish themselves in their academic studies and beyond, influencing the future of their local communities and our nation.”

In 2025, the Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund received 478 applications from students in Connecticut.The review and evaluation of applications each year is completed by a selection committee at Scholarship America, based on factors including academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, and career and educational goals and objectives. Financial need is not considered. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and have a record of community service.

Since inception, including the 2025-26 academic year, the Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund has distributed $334,500 to Connecticut students to assist in funding their college education. In addition to the five students who began college in Fall 2025, 14 Lieberman Scholars – current college students who received scholarships beginning in their freshman year - had scholarship renewed for their current sophomore, junior or senior year.

To be eligible for a Lieberman Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

• be United States citizens or permanent legal residents
• be high school seniors who reside in Connecticut and attend public or private high schools or home school in Connecticut
• plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year
• have a minimum grade-point average of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
• demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and record of community service

Annually, up to five students are selected to receive a $5,000 award – renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative 3.2 grade point average. Scholarship awards are only for undergraduate studies.

The scholarship program is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships, and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

Joseph I. Lieberman represented Connecticut in the United States Senate for four terms (1989-2013), having previously served as Attorney General of Connecticut (1983-89) and State Senate Majority Leader in the Connecticut General Assembly. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2000. Sen. Lieberman used excess funds from his campaign fund to seed the scholarship program at the outset, and additional funds have since been raised.

Applications for 2026, available online beginning March 16, will close on April 30, 2026. Only the first 500 applications received will be processed. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin, for full-time study at an accredited institution of the students’ choice.

Detailed information is available at https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/lieberman/