Connecticut College Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Connecticut aid & Grants
Last Updated on October 30, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~39%
- Middle 50% ACT: 26-32
- Middle 50% SAT: 1160-1370
- Average GPA: N/A
- Need-based aid is the backbone. Conn meets 100% of demonstrated need, and in fall 2025 every first-year with need got all of it covered. The average need-based grant was $52,660.
- Merit is bigger than Conn lets on. The website calls merit “limited,” but more than a third of last year’s first-years (164 of 459) got merit with no financial need, averaging about $36,700 a year.
- Applying costs nothing. No application fee, no supplemental essay, and testing is optional with a “no-harm” policy.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Connecticut College at a Glance
- Don’t check “not seeking aid” unless you mean it. If your student says on the application that they won’t apply for aid, Conn won’t give them any Conn grant money until they’ve finished two semesters. When in doubt, apply.
- Merit and need run on different tracks. Merit scholarships need no forms at all; they come out of the admission review. The Conn need-based grant requires the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, due Nov 16 for Early Decision I and Early Action or Jan 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. Conn’s Tuition Exchange page still lists Nov 1, so filing by Nov 1 keeps you safe either way.
- There’s no bidding war. Conn says plainly it won’t adjust a package to match another college’s offer. Appeals are only for errors or real changes like a job loss or illness.
- Budget for health insurance. Every student is put on the College plan ($3,252 for 2026-27) unless you file a waiver by the deadline. And you can’t put the comprehensive fee on a credit card.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Connecticut College is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).
Do you need test scores for scholarships at Connecticut College? Test-optional with a no-harm policy. Merit is decided during the admission review, and scores only count if the student chooses to send them.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 26-32; SAT: 1160-1370.
Average net price? About $45,700/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.
Connecticut College Tuition Exchange Program: https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/tuition-fees/tuition-exchange-program/
Connecticut College Scholarships and Grants: https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/scholarships-and-grants/
Connecticut College Applying for Financial Aid: https://www.conncoll.edu/financial-aid/applying-for-financial-aid/
Connecticut Office of Higher Education: https://portal.ct.gov/ohe/knowledge-base/articles/for-students/connecticut-student-aid-programs
Connecticut College Resources for Veterans: https://www.conncoll.edu/financial-aid/news-resources/resources-for-veterans/
Connecticut College Flexible Career Funding: https://www.conncoll.edu/career/internships/flexible-career-funding/
Connecticut State Department of Education: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/sde/performance/fafsa/frequently-asked-questions--roberta-b-willis-need-merit-scholarship.pdf
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Connecticut College: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Connecticut College has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $1,900 to $4,600 more than the total below.
✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $72,730 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $20,070 |
| Total billed cost | $92,800 |
Average federal net price: $45,700 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Conn is private, so every student sees the same $92,800 comprehensive fee whether they live in New London or New Mexico. Two groups can still bring state money with them. Connecticut residents can receive the Roberta B. Willis grants (up to $4,500 need-based, or up to $5,250 for the Need-Merit version). Vermont residents can use their Vermont Grant here too, since Conn’s aid guide lists Connecticut and Vermont as the states whose grants it works with. See our Connecticut aid guide and Vermont aid guide.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Connecticut College
What does the $92,800 comprehensive fee actually cover?
It’s tuition ($72,281), the student activity fee ($449), and housing and meals ($20,070). Conn’s full student budget adds about $1,000 for books, $600 for personal expenses, and $400 for travel, for $94,800 total. If you don’t waive the College health plan, add another $3,252.
What do families really pay after aid?
The federal average net price was $45,700 in 2023-24, the latest year reported. Income makes a huge difference: families earning under $30,000 paid about $13,300, families earning $48,000 to $110,000 paid roughly $29,000 to $30,000, and families over $110,000 paid about $47,000. Run Conn’s net price calculator before you rule it out.
Will Conn match an offer from another college?
No. Conn’s aid brochure says it doesn’t negotiate based on other colleges’ offers. It will take a second look if there’s an error in your file or your situation changed, like a lost job or a big medical bill. Put the request in writing with documents.
Can we pay with a credit card or spread out the payments?
You can’t use a credit card for the comprehensive fee. Conn does offer a payment plan that splits each semester into five monthly payments with a small setup fee and no interest. For 2026-27, the fall balance is due Aug 10 and spring is due Jan 11.
Does the aid stay the same all four years?
Not automatically. Need-based aid is recalculated every year from a new FAFSA and CSS Profile, so it can go up or down as income, assets, or the number of kids in college change. Sticker price usually rises too: Conn’s federally reported cost went up about 3.7% from 2023-24 to 2024-25.
What if my student wins an outside scholarship?
This is one of the better policies out there. Conn uses outside money to lower the student contribution first (up to $2,200), then loans, then work-study. Your Conn grant is the very last thing to shrink.
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/tuition-fees/
https://www.conncoll.edu/offices/office-of-the-controller/student-accounts/fees-and-payments/
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/UnderstandingFA_2026-2027.pdf
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=128902
📅 Conn Scholarship and Aid Timeline (Simple Version)
- Nov 1: Early Decision I and Early Action applications due. Merit is decided from this application, with nothing extra to file.
- Nov 16: FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC tax documents due for Early Decision I and Early Action.
- Jan 15: Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications and aid forms due.
- Feb 15: Connecticut residents only. The high school counselor’s deadline to submit students for the Willis Need-Merit Scholarship.
Parent rule of thumb: file the aid forms by Nov 1 if you’re applying early. One Conn page still lists that date, and being early never hurts.
Automatic Scholarships at Connecticut College
Note: Conn’s merit scholarships ($15,000 to $38,000 a year) are covered in the next section. They don’t require an application, but they aren’t guaranteed. The Admission Committee picks recipients.
Automatic Aid FAQs (Connecticut College)
Does Connecticut College have automatic merit scholarships?
No. There’s no GPA or test score chart that guarantees an award. Merit is chosen during the admission review. The money that does come automatically is need-based aid, as long as your forms are in on time.
Does Conn really meet 100% of need?
Yes, by its own published numbers. In fall 2025, 290 first-years were found to have need, and all 290 had that need fully met. “Need” is what Conn calculates from your CSS Profile and FAFSA, not what your family thinks it can afford, so run the net price calculator first.
Do we have to fill out the CSS Profile?
Only if you want Conn’s own need-based grant, which is where most of the money is. The FAFSA alone covers federal and state aid, loans, and work-study. Merit scholarships need neither form. If parents are divorced or separated, the noncustodial parent fills out a CSS Profile too.
What happens if we say we won’t apply for aid?
Conn won’t give your student any Conn grant money until they’ve completed two semesters. If there’s any chance you’ll need help, file the forms the first time around.
Will the package include loans?
Most packages mix grants, a federal student loan, and work-study. Nearly 90% of Conn’s need-based aid is grant money, and families below certain income levels get smaller loan and work-study amounts. Expect the loan share to grow a little each year as federal limits go up.
Can Connecticut residents get state money at Conn?
Yes. The Willis Need-Based Grant (up to $4,500) comes through the FAFSA, and the Willis Need-Merit Scholarship (up to $5,250) requires the high school counselor to submit your student by Feb 15. Both count toward the need Conn fills.
https://www.conncoll.edu/financial-aid/applying-for-financial-aid/
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/UnderstandingFA_2026-2027.pdf
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/Common-Data-Set-2025-26.pdf
https://portal.ct.gov/ohe/knowledge-base/articles/for-students/connecticut-student-aid-programs
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
Conn calls its merit “limited,” and it only started giving merit in 2018. But its own Common Data Set tells a different story. In fall 2025, 164 of 459 first-years (36%) had no financial need and still received merit, averaging $36,673. Another 79 students who did have need also got non-need awards. If your student is a strong fit for Conn, merit is a real possibility, not a long shot.
✅ Can You Stack Aid at Conn?
| Aid Type | Stacks with Merit? | Conn Parent Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Conn Need-Based Grant | Partly | If you have need, merit usually covers part of it and the need grant shrinks to match. Your total aid goes up only if the merit is bigger than your need. |
| No-Need Families | N/A | Merit is pure savings off the $92,800 price. This is who benefits most from Conn’s merit. |
| Willis State Grants (CT) | Yes, up to cost | State money combines with merit, but it also counts toward any need Conn is filling. |
| Outside Scholarships | Yes | They lower your student contribution, then loans, then work-study. Conn grants are cut last. |
| Tuition Exchange | Ask | Conn treats it as an outside resource. Check the award letter to see how it sits next to any merit offer. |
Conn doesn’t publish the dollar amount behind each of the seven scholarship names, so don’t read too much into which one your student gets. What matters is the number on the award letter and how it fits with your need-based aid. Conn caps all of its own aid, merit included, at eight semesters.
❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Is there a separate merit scholarship application?
No. Every admitted student is considered automatically. The only deadline that matters is the admission deadline: Nov 1 for Early Decision I or Early Action, Jan 15 for Early Decision II or Regular Decision.
Do we have to file the FAFSA or CSS Profile to get merit?
No. Conn’s aid instructions say neither form is needed for merit. File them anyway if you might qualify for need-based aid. They’re how you get the much bigger need-based grant.
Does applying Early Decision hurt my chances at merit?
Conn says ED applicants get the same merit and financial aid consideration as everyone else. Just remember ED is binding, so you won’t be able to compare packages. Early Action gets you an answer in mid-December without the commitment.
Do test scores matter for merit?
Only if you send them. Conn is test-optional with a no-harm policy, meaning if you send scores, the committee can treat you as test-optional when the scores would hurt. Conn superscores the SAT and combines the best ACT section scores.
Is Connecticut College a QuestBridge partner?
No. Conn isn’t on QuestBridge’s partner list. Low-income families should look at Conn’s full-need promise and the net price calculator instead.
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/scholarships-and-grants/
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/Common-Data-Set-2025-26.pdf
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/standardized-test-policy/
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/website-media/financialaiddocs/2027-2028-Early-Decision-I-Applicants-U.S.-Citizens-Perm.-Residents.pdf
Honors at Connecticut College
Conn doesn’t have an Honors College or a separate honors program that admits first-years. At a school this size (about 1,700 students), the whole place works more like an honors program: small classes, professors who know your name, and seniors who present their work. There are two ways students earn the “honors” label here.
- Honors theses: Students who write a senior thesis can graduate with honors. In the Class of 2026, 55 students (11%) did.
- Center certificate programs: Six selective programs that students apply to, usually in sophomore year, and complete on top of their major.
Honors Scholarships
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
Conn doesn’t attach scholarships to honors status. Merit awards are decided at admission (see the Competitive section above).
- Toor Cummings Center for International Studies (CISLA): the biggest, with 23 graduates. Pairs language study with an international internship.
- Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy: 10 graduates.
- Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment: 9 graduates. Historically admits about 10 to 12 students a year.
- Museum Studies: 9 graduates.
- Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology: 6 graduates.
- Center for the Critical Study of Race and Ethnicity: 6 graduates.
Honors FAQs (Connecticut College)
Does Conn have an Honors College?
No. There’s no honors admission at the start. Honors comes from a senior thesis, and the certificate programs offer a selective track students apply to once they’re on campus.
When do students apply to the certificate programs?
Usually in the fall of sophomore year. Students go to an information session, meet with center advisers, and submit an application with a proposal for what they want to study.
Do certificate programs come with money?
They aren’t scholarships, but they’re built around funded internships and research. That’s where Conn’s career funding (up to $3,000 for juniors) often gets used.
Is there an honors scholarship we should be hunting for?
No. Conn’s merit decisions happen at admission, so the time to be in the running is when your student applies, not after they enroll.
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/Academic-Fact-Sheet-2026-27.pdf
https://www.conncoll.edu/media/Common-Data-Set-2025-26.pdf
https://www.conncoll.edu/academics/certificate-programs/
⭐ College Specialty
Connecticut College is a small liberal arts college on a hill above the Thames River in New London, with a campus that doubles as an arboretum. It started in 1911 as a women’s college and today enrolls about 1,700 students, most of them from out of state. What sets Conn apart is how hard it pushes students to connect their classes to a career, and how much of that it pays for.
Funded career experiences for every student. Conn was one of the first colleges to offer internship money to every eligible student, and now students can tap it from first year on: up to $1,500 early and up to $3,000 as a junior. Paired with a four-year career program, it’s a big reason 95% of recent graduates were working, in grad school, or in a fellowship a year out.
- Economics: The most popular major in the Class of 2026 (70 graduates), plus another 31 in Quantitative Economics and Econometrics. Finance is the most common minor.
- Psychology and Neuroscience: 66 psychology majors and 38 neuroscience majors in the latest class, a strong path toward health careers and grad school.
- Government and International Studies: 43 government majors, plus the CISLA certificate, which pairs language study with an international internship.
- Environmental Studies: 40 majors, the Goodwin-Niering Center, and a campus arboretum that works as an outdoor lab.
- Dance and the Arts: A long dance tradition, with David Dorfman Dance in residence, plus studio art, film, and music technology.
- Connections curriculum: Students can add an Integrative Pathway (like Public Health or Entrepreneurship) to their major, and 43% of the Class of 2026 studied away.
🔗 Official Connecticut College Links
Use Connecticut College’s official pages below to confirm deadlines, award terms, costs, and current data. When something on this page and Conn’s website disagree, go with Conn.
-
Admission:
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/ -
Application Rounds and Deadlines:
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/ -
Scholarships and Grants (Merit):
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/scholarships-and-grants/ -
Cost and Financial Aid:
https://www.conncoll.edu/financial-aid/ -
Applying for Financial Aid (Forms and Deadlines):
https://www.conncoll.edu/financial-aid/applying-for-financial-aid/ -
Cost of Attendance:
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/tuition-fees/ -
Net Price Calculator:
https://conncoll.studentaidcalculator.com/survey.aspx -
Conn Facts and Common Data Sets:
https://www.conncoll.edu/institutional-research/conn-facts/
✅ Wrapping It Up
Connecticut College looks like a $92,800-a-year school, and for a family with no need and no merit, it is. But very few families actually pay that. If you have need, Conn promises to cover all of it, mostly with grants. If you don’t, more than a third of first-years still walk away with merit worth about $36,700 a year, without filling out a single extra form.
The trick at Conn is the paperwork, not the essays. Don’t check “not seeking aid.” Get the CSS Profile and FAFSA in by the early deadline. Don’t count on a bidding war, because Conn won’t match other offers. Once your student is there, use that career funding. Few colleges hand every student money for an internship, and that’s where a Conn degree really earns its keep.
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