Redding Student To Receive Lieberman Scholarship

REDDING, CT — The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund announced Tuesday that five Connecticut students who are headed to college in the fall will be the 8th class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the fund. Among them is Redding's Olivia Fassman, who just graduated from Joel Barlow High School.

The program began in 2013, and the first class of Scholars graduated from college three years ago.

Fassman and the other four students will each receive $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. The five student recipients from a year ago, five students who have just completed their sophomore years, and five Lieberman Scholars who have completed their junior year, will each receive $1,500 for the upcoming academic year when they return to school in the fall.

"Higher education can provide the foundation for greater opportunity, enabling determined and inspiring young people to advance their studies and achieve their aspirations," said former Sen.
Lieberman. "I am pleased to support these students with this scholarship. It is a way for me to express my appreciation and give back to Connecticut. And it reflects my confidence that these young people, along with past scholarship recipients, will distinguish themselves in their academic studies and beyond, influencing the future of their local communities and our nation."

Fassman is employed this summer at the Yale Clinical Affective Neuroscience & Development Lab as a research assistant. She has also volunteered as a tutor at Danbury Grassroots Academy and worked in analytical science labs, sparking a passion for biostatistics. At Barlow, she competed on the varsity tennis and indoor track teams. She will be attending Cornell University this fall, studying math and computer science.

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund received 71 applications in 2020 from students attending 54 high schools in 46 Connecticut cities and towns.

The review and evaluation of applications was 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.

To be eligible, students must be high school seniors who reside in Connecticut and received their high school education here, plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year, have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a record of community service, and be United States citizens or permanent legal residents.

Annually, up to five students are selected to receive a $1,500 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 3.0 grade point average. Scholarship awards are only for undergraduate studies.

Applications for the 2021 scholarship will open in February 2021 and close in April 2021. Additional information will be available online.