How to Apply

About Our Scholarship

Applications for the 2024-25 school year are CLOSED!  Thank you for a record number of qualified applications.  All scholarship recipients have been notified at this time - CONGRATULATIONS!

Applications for 2025 - 26 open on March 1, 2025!

Important change in 2024-2025:  We have gone statewide!   Families no longer must live in a specific city to apply.  Any family living in Connecticut who meets our eligibility standards is welcome to apply.

  • Application portal will open at midnight on March 1, 2025.
  • Families are encouraged to file taxes early and have all financial documents ready before you apply.
  • Scholarships may be used at any accredited private, parochial, religiously affiliated, or non-residency public school in Connecticut.
  • Scholarships are a portion of a student's annual tuition, up to $2,100 per academic year.
  • Parents/guardians are responsible for the balance of tuition.
  • Families MUST reapply each year to renew scholarships.
  • Priority is given to returning students, then their siblings, then new applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. 

2024-2025 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must meet each of the standards below:

  • Residency:  The student you are applying for lives in your home more than 50% of the time.
  • Income:  Household adjusted gross income is at or within 200% of the Federal poverty level. (Level is determined in accordance with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
  • Grade Level:  Returning applicants entering Kindergarten through Grade 8 may apply.  New applicants entering grade Kindergarten through 6th grade may apply.

Step-By-Step Instructions to Apply:

Refer to this guide as you complete your online application.  Once you complete each step, the step will turn green.  Once all steps are green, your application is complete. If you do not provide all requested information, the step will turn red.

*Applications cannot be processed until satisfactory proof of income documentation is provided.*

Step 1 - Family Information

Step 2 - Student Information

  • Complete an application for EACH child for whom you are applying.

Step 3 - Financial Information

  • Provide information for each type of income and/or financial assistance you receive
  • All household wage earners must submit a 2023 IRS 1040 form (pages 1 and 2 only).
  • Enter your adjusted gross income from line 11 on your 1040.
  • Enter all additional financial assistance you receive and upload required documents verifying that income.
  • If any information is missing after you submit your financial information, a yellow button will appear under the "application" tab asking for the missing information.

Step 4 - Verification

Once you have completed all previous steps, you will see a statement that verification is complete.  You will receive automatic email response letting you know that your application was received.

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Please refer to the chart below to find the total income limit for your household size.

Household / Family Size 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Income Limit $40,880 $51,640 $62,400 $73,160 $83,920 $94,680 $105,440 $116,200 $126,960 $137,720 $148,480 $159,240

NOTE: FAMILY SIZE MUST MATCH THE SIZE OF FAMILY CLAIMED ON THE 2023 FEDERAL 1040. For households with more than 13 people, add $10,760 per person.

 

Bridgeport Hope

Parent Agreement:

  1. I will promptly notify CEO Foundation of any changes in address.
  2. I understand scholarship payments will continue only as long as my child is enrolled in and is attending an accredited private, parochial, religiously-affiliated, or non-residency public school of my choice.
  3. I understand all scholarship awards are made at the sole discretion of the CEO Foundation.
  4. I understand preference is given to renewing scholars and siblings.
  5. I agree to release the CEO Foundation of Connecticut from any liability in its efforts to provide a scholarship.
  6. I agree to authorize the school my child is attending to release a copy of the final report card and any achievement/measurement test scores for the 2024-2025 academic year to CEO Foundation.
  7. I understand that individual names and their grades or achievement scores WILL NOT BE RELEASED publicly. This information will be summarized and used to track the progress of CEO Scholars and for the purpose of advancement and development.