Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for community college · New Britain, CT
How students pay for Connecticut State Community College
Sticker price $17,211 a year. After grants, the average student pays $9,195, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $8,711 to $11,533.
- 33,645undergraduates
- 30%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
Mary Ann Handley Award (tuition-free community college, formerly PACT)
Who: Connecticut residents with a high school diploma, GED or home-school completion who file the FAFSA, accept all grants, and enroll in 6+ credits in a degree or certificate program; began college in Fall 2020 or later What: Covers the gap between federal and state grants and tuition plus mandatory fees, fall and spring only, for the first 72 earned credits; funding is limited and first-come, first-served
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $15,596 a year versus $5,338 for Connecticut residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
30%grant from Connecticut State Community Collegeavg $1,580
54%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,158
84%state grantavg $2,340
1%federal student loanavg $5,542
Scholarships from Connecticut State Community College
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- CT State Institutional Grant
Students with financial need who file the FAFSA and enroll in 6 or more credits.
- Campus Foundation ScholarshipsVaries by campus
Donor-funded scholarships offered through each home campus's foundation, with criteria set per award.
Priority FAFSA deadline: July 15 for fall, November 15 for spring (school code 007635).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Connecticut
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need-Based Grant
Up to $4,500 a year for full-time study; your college sets the amount
Who qualifies: Connecticut residents with financial need, judged by the Student Aid Index, at a four-year Connecticut public or nonprofit private college.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA and check your college's financial aid deadline.
Official rules →State grant · Connecticut
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship – Need and Merit-Based Scholarship
Up to $5,250 a year for a four-year program and up to $4,650 a year for a two-year program
Who qualifies: Connecticut students in the top 20% of their high-school class or with an SAT of 1200+ or ACT of 25+, whose Student Aid Index is at or below the yearly cutoff the Office of Higher Education sets.
How: Deadline 15 February: your high-school counselor submits the application for you, and you file the FAFSA by the same date.
Official rules →State grant · Connecticut
Mary Ann Handley Award (free tuition at CT State Community College, formerly PACT)
Covers the tuition and mandatory fees left after federal and state grants, for the first 72 credits; open to all income levels
Who qualifies: Connecticut residents with a high-school diploma, GED or home-school completion, taking 6+ credits a term in a degree or certificate program at CT State, who began college in fall 2020 or later.
How: Apply to CT State, register for 6+ credits and file the FAFSA. Apply by 15 July for priority consideration; funding is first-come, first-served.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in New Britain
| Studio | $1,090/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,250/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $780/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 06051. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$16.94/hour minimum wage in Connecticut
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $7,623 before tax. That covers about 10 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: rises to $17.48 on 1 January 2027. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$6,500median federal debt≈ $74/month over 10 years
$46,642median earnings10 years after enrolling
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for Connecticut State Community College
Does Connecticut State Community College offer free tuition?
Yes: Mary Ann Handley Award (tuition-free community college, formerly PACT). Connecticut residents with a high school diploma, GED or home-school completion who file the FAFSA, accept all grants, and enroll in 6+ credits in a degree or certificate program; began college in Fall 2020 or later Covers the gap between federal and state grants and tuition plus mandatory fees, fall and spring only, for the first 72 earned credits; funding is limited and first-come, first-served.
What scholarships does Connecticut State Community College offer?
CT State Institutional Grant (Not published); Campus Foundation Scholarships (Varies by campus). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does Connecticut State Community College really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $9,195 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $8,711 to $11,533. The full cost of attendance before aid is $17,211.
Does Connecticut State Community College give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 30% of first-year students received a grant from Connecticut State Community College itself, averaging $1,580. 54% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,158).
How much is rent near Connecticut State Community College?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (06051) is $1,250 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,560 for a two-bedroom, about $780 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at Connecticut State Community College?
Yes. The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.94 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $7,623 before tax.
How much debt do Connecticut State Community College graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $6,500, about $74 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $46,642.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with Connecticut State Community College. How these pages work.
More in Connecticut: All colleges in Connecticut →