Redding Students Win CHET College Scholarship

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff) 

On Dec. 10, a ceremony was held at the Legislative Office Building, according to the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) website.

State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier recognized 200 high school students as recipients of a CHET’s 2015 Advance Scholarship of up to $2,500.

Freshman will receive $2,000 and seniors will get $2,500. The freshmen can receive an additional $500 if the student’s family saves $500 in a CHET savings account by the time the student goes to college.

“Having some of the financial weight of tuition lifted is extremely helpful in the college selection process. This scholarship will help me find a college that suits my needs, instead of worrying as much about finding an affordable college,” Redding resident Catherine Massa, a freshman at The Academy of Information Technology and Engineering in Stamford, said.

“You know, as State Treasurer, I never lose sight of the fact that an educated workforce is key to the economic growth and vitality of our State. That’s why the CHET Advance Scholarship Program is a smart investment in the next generation of Connecticut leaders – economists, teachers, lawyers, doctors and many other professionals, all of whom will be drivers of economic growth,” Treasurer Nappier, Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET), said.

The State Treasurer’s Office has awarded $1.5 million in scholarships to 600 Connecticut students through the CHET Advance Scholarship program since 2013.

Winners were randomly selected from a pool of 3,263 applicants who hail from 158 public schools, 19 parochial schools, and 23 independent schools in Connecticut.

“The process of researching, applying for and deciding what college to go to is incredibly stressful for students and families. If we are able to help reduce that stress level by a small amount or help fill the cost gap with CHET Advance Scholarship, then that’s a win in my book,” Treasurer Nappier said.

According to the News Times, the winners from the greater Danbury area are as follows:

Bethel

• Alexandra Deluca, Bethel High School

Danbury

• Yermy Zapata, Abbott Tech

Newtown

• James Craig, Newtown High School
• Jeremy Larkin, Newtown High School

Redding

• Noah Morgan, Joel Barlow High School
• Zachary Morgan, Joel Barlow High School
• Catherine Massa, Academy Of Information Technology (Stamford)

Ridgefield

• Cody Loweth, Ridgefield High School
• Elizabeth O’Connor, Ridgefield High School

About CHET

The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) was established in 1997. Today the number of CHET 529 college savings accounts stands at more than 100,000 and total assets are more than $2.6 billion. More than $1.2 billion in qualified withdrawals have been taken to cover college costs for 35,000 students. For more information about CHET, visit www.aboutchet.com or call the customer service center at (866) 314-3939. Find CHET on Facebook or Twitter.