The University of Hartford admits almost everyone who applies (about 96%), so getting in usually isn’t the hard part. The real question is what you’ll pay. The billed price for 2026-27 is about $67,400 before aid, and UHart’s own estimate for the average family after aid is about $34,700. What moves your family from the first number toward the second comes down to three things: the academic or talent award your student earns, whether they qualify for one of the local or family awards, and how early you get the paperwork in.
Scholarship Competition (up to full tuition) & Art School competition (3 full-tuition awards)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at the University of Hartford (Read This First)
November 15 is the scholarship date that matters. Applying Early Action by Nov 15 gets the earliest scholarship review and is the only way to be invited to UHart’s full-tuition Scholarship Competition.
One big award at a time. UHart does not let you combine non-need scholarships. Academic awards, talent awards and the half-tuition Family Grant all replace each other. The exceptions: the FIRST, ACE, DECA and Model UN program scholarships, plus the Hartford and Bloomfield top-ups.
Slip below the GPA once and the award is gone for good. The renewal minimum is 3.0 for Regents’, President’s and Stanley Black & Decker awards, and 3.25 for the Scholarship Competition and National Honors Scholarship. UHart does not reinstate the award if the GPA comes back up later.
Visit in the fall and it’s worth $4,000. An in-person tour or open house between Aug 1 and Dec 15 earns the Fall Visit Grant ($1,000 a year for four years), unless your student lands a full-tuition offer.
Hartt and Art School students play by different rules. Their money comes mostly from the audition or portfolio, not the standard academic scholarship, and Hartt’s Early Action date is Nov 1, two weeks earlier than everyone else’s.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Hartford is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 24-30; SAT: 1120-1310.
Average net price? About $30,553/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Hartford: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in September 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Hartford 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 $1,300 to $3,400 more than the total below.
✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.
All students: billed cost per year
$67,416
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$51,908
Housing & meals (typical)
$15,508
Total billed cost
$67,416
Average federal net price: $30,553 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.
Same Price for Everyone, Plus the “Real” Budget
UHart is private, so Connecticut families and out-of-state families pay the same tuition. The table above covers what UHart bills you. UHart also budgets about $5,000 a year for books, travel, personal costs and loan fees, which brings the full 2026-27 cost of attendance to about $72,400. That full number matters because your total aid, loans included, can never go higher than it.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University of Hartford
Why do I see two different “average price” numbers for UHart?
The federal average net price (the number in our table) is about $30,550 a year, while UHart’s own tuition page says the average family’s out-of-pocket cost after aid is about $34,700. They come from different years and different ways of counting, so treat them as a range, not a promise. UHart also reports that the average aid package is about $30,600. Your own number comes from UHart’s Tuition Estimator and, later, your actual award letter.
Do Connecticut residents get a lower price?
Not on tuition. As a private school, UHart charges everyone the same rate. Connecticut residents with financial need can get the state’s Roberta B. Willis Scholarship on top of UHart aid, and students from Hartford or Bloomfield public schools have their own half-tuition programs.
Can I use the New England regional tuition discount (NEBHE Tuition Break) at UHart?
No. Tuition Break is a discount at public New England colleges. UHart is private, so the regional program doesn’t apply. The way to bring the price down here is UHart’s own scholarships and grants.
Does UHart require the CSS Profile?
No. UHart only uses the FAFSA (school code 001422). The priority date is April 1, and new students who file by then and deposit by May 1 can qualify for a one-time $2,000 FAFSA incentive if they don’t already have a partial merit award. Hartt School applicants should aim for February 1.
What’s actually included in the $67,400 billed cost?
Tuition ($48,464), mandatory fees ($3,444), housing ($9,013) and meals ($6,495) for 2026-27, based on a full-time student living on campus. Your student’s actual housing and meal plan choices can move that number up or down.
Is there a net price calculator?
Yes. UHart calls it the Tuition Estimator. Run it with your real income numbers early in the search, because it’s the fastest way to see whether UHart lands near the average or far from it for your family.
Aug 1 to Dec 15: Visit campus in person to lock in the $4,000 Fall Visit Grant.
Nov 1: Hartt School Early Action (auditions drive Hartt scholarships).
Nov 15: Early Action for everyone else. Earliest scholarship review and the only path to a Scholarship Competition invite.
December: Scholarship Competition invitations arrive by email.
Mar 1 to Apr 1: FIRST, ACE and Model UN (Mar 1 and Mar 15) and DECA (Apr 1) program scholarships close. Hartford and Bloomfield Scholars must apply by Mar 15.
Apr 1: FAFSA priority date.
Early April: Scholarship Competition winners are notified.
May 1: Enrollment deposit.
Parent rule of thumb: treat November 15 as your real deadline, even if your student is still deciding.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at the University of Hartford
UHart reviews every admitted student for academic scholarships automatically. There’s no separate form. Awards run from $23,000 a year up to full tuition for most majors. UHart looks at the whole high school record (GPA, class rank if your school reports it, and test scores only if you send them), and students who apply test-optional are still eligible. UHart does not publish the GPA or score cutoffs for each award, so the admission letter is where you’ll find out which one your student got.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidAutomatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Roberta B. Willis Scholarship (Connecticut)
📅 Deadline: File the FAFSA by April 1 ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Connecticut residents with financial need.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Need-based, so it combines with UHart merit awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
Connecticut's need-based state grant for residents attending college in the state, including UHart. The amount depends on the FAFSA and changes each semester.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Connecticut residents whose FAFSA shows financial need.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
President's & Regents' Scholarships
📅 Deadline: November 15 · 📢 Results: With admission decision and initial financial aid offer ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with any other non-need-based UHart scholarship, grant or discount. The exceptions UHart spells out are the FIRST Robotics, ACE Mentor, DECA and Model UN program scholarships, which are paid along with your merit award, and the Hartford Scholars and Bloomfield Scholars top-ups. Need-based grants can still be added on top.
💡
Strategic Detail
UHart's main academic scholarships. Every admitted U.S. citizen or permanent resident is reviewed automatically using high school GPA, class rank (if the school reports one) and SAT or ACT scores if the student sends them. UHart publishes the academic range as $23,000 per year up to full tuition for most majors but does not publish the cutoff for each named tier. Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress for up to eight semesters. If the GPA drops below 3.0 the award is gone for good, even if the GPA recovers later. Students who receive a President's or Regents' award also qualify for the Honors Program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Admitted freshmen with strong high school GPAs and a solid course load. UHart looks at the whole record, so one weaker test score does not automatically shrink the offer, and test-optional applicants are still considered.
Automatic
Stanley Black & Decker Scholars of Excellence
📅 Deadline: November 15 · 📢 Results: With or shortly after your financial aid offer ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Top students from 29 Greater Hartford towns (UHart does not publish the list).
👥 ~UHart reported that hundreds of admitted students received offers in the first cycle. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Treated like a Regents' or President's award, so it cannot be combined with other non-need-based UHart awards. Need-based aid can still be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
Created with a $3 million gift from Stanley Black & Decker, this award goes to top academically prepared students from 29 Greater Hartford towns. UHart's announcement said awards average $35,000 to $37,000 per year. Recipients also get monthly mentoring from Stanley Black & Decker employees, resume and leadership workshops, and a guaranteed first-round interview for a company internship. UHart has not published the list of eligible towns, so ask the admission office whether your town qualifies. Renewal follows the Regents' and President's rules: 3.0 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-achieving admits from the eligible Greater Hartford towns. Selection happens during the regular admission review.
Automatic
Founders & Hawk Achievement Scholarships
📅 Deadline: November 15 · 📢 Results: With admission decision and financial aid offer ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with other non-need-based UHart awards. Need-based aid can be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
UHart lists Founders and Hawk Achievement as named academic scholarships in its renewal rules but does not publish separate dollar amounts or cutoffs for them. The award name and amount appear in the admission offer. Renewal requires full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress; UHart lists no minimum GPA for these two awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Admitted freshmen reviewed through the standard academic scholarship process. UHart does not publish what separates these awards from the President's and Regents' tiers.
Automatic
Hartt Academic Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 1 · 📢 Results: With Hartt admission decision ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Academic and talent awards are both non-need-based, and UHart says non-need-based awards cannot be combined. Your offer letter shows how your Hartt package is built. Need-based aid can be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
Hartt applicants are considered for performance scholarships up to full tuition, so UHart says academic awards for Hartt students are limited. The Hartt Academic Scholarship renews with full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress; no minimum GPA is listed. UHart does not publish an amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Hartt School admits whose academic record earns a scholarship in addition to their audition result.
Automatic
Hartford Scholars
📅 Deadline: March 15 · 📢 Results: With financial aid offer ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Hartford residents at Hartford Public Schools (magnets included) or eligible CREC schools.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Built to sit on top of your academic award, one of the few non-need combinations UHart allows. Need-based aid can be added after that.
💡
Strategic Detail
For students who live in Hartford and attend a Hartford Public School (magnet schools count) or an eligible CREC school. UHart combines this award with your merit scholarship so your total scholarship equals half of tuition. If your merit award is already more than half of tuition, you get an extra $1,000 instead. Renewal requires continued Hartford residency, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Every admitted full-time student who meets the residency and school rules and hits the three dates. It is not a contest.
Automatic
Bloomfield Scholars
📅 Deadline: March 15 · 📢 Results: With financial aid offer ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Bloomfield residents at Bloomfield Public Schools or eligible CREC schools.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Built to sit on top of your academic award, one of the few non-need combinations UHart allows. Need-based aid can be added after that.
💡
Strategic Detail
For students who live in Bloomfield and attend a Bloomfield Public School or an eligible CREC school. UHart combines this award with your merit scholarship so your total scholarship equals half of tuition. If your merit award is already more than half of tuition, you get an extra $1,000 instead. Renewal requires continued Bloomfield residency, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Every admitted full-time student who meets the residency and school rules and hits the three dates. It is not a contest.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: Your student gets one academic award, and it can’t be combined with other non-need UHart awards. The only exceptions UHart spells out are the Hartford and Bloomfield Scholars top-ups and the FIRST, ACE, DECA and Model UN program scholarships. Need-based grants can always be added on top.
Automatic Merit FAQs (University of Hartford)
Do we need to send SAT or ACT scores to get merit money?
No. UHart is test-optional, and it says students who apply without scores are still eligible for academic scholarships. If your student’s scores help the picture, send them. If they don’t, the GPA and course load carry the review.
How much are the President’s and Regents’ Scholarships?
UHart publishes one range for its academic awards: $23,000 a year up to full tuition for most majors. It doesn’t publish exactly where President’s ends and Regents’ begins, so plan around $23,000 as the floor and let the offer letter tell you the rest.
Who qualifies for the Stanley Black & Decker Scholars of Excellence?
Top students from 29 Greater Hartford towns. UHart says awards average $35,000 to $37,000 a year and come with mentoring from Stanley Black & Decker employees and a guaranteed internship interview. UHart hasn’t published the town list, so call admission and ask whether your town is on it.
What GPA does my student need to keep the scholarship?
It depends on the award: a 3.0 for Regents’, President’s and Stanley Black & Decker, and a 3.25 for the National Honors Scholarship. Founders, Hawk Achievement and the Hartt Academic Scholarship list no GPA floor, just full-time enrollment and steady academic progress. Here’s the catch: if your student falls below the required GPA, the award is gone for the rest of college, even if the GPA recovers.
We live in Hartford or Bloomfield. What changes for us?
Students who live in Hartford or Bloomfield and attend those public schools (or an eligible CREC school) get topped up so their total scholarship equals at least half of tuition. If their merit award is already bigger than that, they get an extra $1,000 instead. Apply by March 15, get admitted by April 15 and deposit by May 1.
How long do the awards last?
Up to eight semesters or until your student finishes the bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. Students in accelerated bachelor’s-plus-master’s programs lose the award when the undergraduate degree is done, because UHart doesn’t renew it for graduate courses.
Is my student in the Hartt School eligible for these?
Hartt students are mainly funded through audition-based talent awards that can reach full tuition, so UHart keeps their academic awards limited. The Hartt Academic Scholarship is the academic piece for them.
UHart’s headline competitive award is its Scholarship Competition, a one-day event on campus for invited Early Action admits, with awards that reach up to full tuition. The nice part: everyone who finishes the day gets at least $1,000 more a year, win or lose. Hartford Art School runs its own version with three full-tuition prizes.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UHart?
Aid Type
Stacks with Merit?
UHart Parent Translation
Academic Merit
N/A
Your student gets one academic award. It’s the base everything else builds on.
Scholarship Competition / Art School competition
Replaces (the $1,000 bonus adds)
A winning award replaces the academic scholarship. The $1,000 participation money gets added to what you already have.
FIRST, ACE, DECA, Model UN
Yes
These are the rare UHart awards paid on top of merit, worth $2,000 to $5,000 a year.
Talent (Hartt / Art School) and Family Grant
No
These replace the academic award. If your student qualifies for more than one, UHart gives the larger.
Need-based grants (FAFSA)
Yes
UHart and state need-based grants can be layered on top of any merit award, up to your cost of attendance.
The Scholarship Competition invitation only goes to high-achieving Early Action admits in Arts and Sciences, Education/Nursing/Health Professions, Engineering/Technology/Architecture and the Barney School of Business. UHart merged its old Hillyer College into the College of Arts and Sciences in July 2026, but the competition page still treats Hillyer separately. If your student is heading into Hillyer College of Arts and Sciences, ask admission which competition applies to them.
App Requiredmajor specific
Scholarship Competition
📅 Deadline: November 15 · 📢 Results: Early April ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Invitation only: high-achieving Early Action admits to Arts & Sciences, ENHP, CETA and Barney.
👥 ~UHart does not publish the number of top awards. Every participant who completes all three parts gets an extra $1,000 per year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
A competition award replaces your existing academic scholarship instead of adding to it. The $1,000 participation bonus is added to the academic award you already have. Need-based aid can still be added.
📄
How to Apply
Apply Early Action with all materials by November 15. Qualifying admits get an email invitation in December. To be considered you must attend the on-campus event, interview there, and complete the online essay. All three parts are required.
UHart's highest academic scholarships, reaching up to full tuition and renewable for four years with a 3.25 cumulative GPA. Invitations go out by email in December to high-achieving Early Action admits in Arts and Sciences; Education, Nursing and Health Professions; Engineering, Technology, and Architecture; and the Barney School of Business. There are three required parts: an in-person event on campus, an in-person interview with faculty or university leaders, and an essay completed online. Everyone who finishes all three gets an extra $1,000 added to their existing academic award, up to full tuition. Winners hear in early April.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High-achieving Early Action admits who show up, interview well and write a strong essay. Everyone who completes the day leaves with more money; only a small number win the top awards.
Full TuitionApp Required
Hartford Art School Scholarship Competition
📅 Deadline: Invitation after admission; one spring event (March 7 in 2026) ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
full-tuition art school competition
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Invitation only: admitted Hartford Art School students.
👥 ~Three full-tuition awards; every other participant receives an extra $1,000 per year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
A full-tuition win replaces your current offer. The $1,000 participation money is added to your existing package.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Hartford Art School and complete the portfolio review. If invited after acceptance, register and attend the spring challenge in person.
🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Accepted Hartford Art School students are invited based on merit and portfolio review to an on-campus spring challenge. Three students win full-tuition scholarships that replace their current offer, and every other participant gets an extra $1,000 per year for taking part. Awards renew for four years with full-time status and the required GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Admitted Art School students with strong portfolios who accept the invitation and show up ready to work.
App Required
ACE Mentor Program Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Three awards annually. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Paid on top of your academic merit award.
📄
How to Apply
Complete UHart's undergraduate admission application, then submit the ACE Mentor scholarship application along with a Mentor/Advisor Recommendation Application. Submit all materials to Student Financial Aid Scholarships by March 1.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based on ACE participation and CETA admission with architecture preference.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Three $5,000 awards each year, paid along with any academic scholarship you qualify for. Renewable for up to four years under the standard academic scholarship rules. Preference goes to architecture students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Three high school seniors each year who were active in the ACE Mentor Program for at least two years and are admitted to the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, with preference for architecture.
App Required
FIRST Robotics Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Five awards annually. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Paid on top of your academic merit award. You must also meet the academic requirements for the Regents' or President's Scholarship to qualify.
📄
How to Apply
Complete UHart's undergraduate admission application (application fee waived), then submit the FIRST Robotics scholarship application along with a Coach Recommendation Application. Submit all materials to Student Financial Aid Scholarships by March 1.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based on FIRST participation, CETA admission, and academic merit criteria.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Five scholarships awarded annually at $2,000 per year, renewable up to four years under the standard academic-scholarship policies. Open to students residing in the continental United States. The $35 admission application fee is waived for FIRST Robotics applicants.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Five high school seniors per cycle who were members of a FIRST Robotics Challenge or First Technical Challenge team for at least two years, who are admitted to the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, and who already qualify academically for the Regents' or President's awards.
App Required
DECA Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Five awards annually. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Paid on top of any UHart academic merit award you qualify for. Renewable for up to four years under the standard academic scholarship rules.
📄
How to Apply
Complete UHart's undergraduate admission application (application fee waived), then submit the DECA scholarship application along with an Advisor Recommendation Application by April 1.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based on DECA participation and Barney School admission.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Five scholarships awarded annually at $2,000 per year. The $35 UHart admission application fee is waived for DECA scholarship applicants.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Five high school seniors per cycle who were DECA members for at least two years and are admitted to any program in the Barney School of Business.
App Required
CTWAC Model United Nations Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1 · 📢 Results: By April 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Two awards annually. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers on top of UHart's standard academic merit award for a total of up to $8,000 across four years. Renewal requires maintaining satisfactory academic progress as defined by the student's school or college.
📄
How to Apply
Submit your UHart admission application by the March 1 deadline, then submit the supplemental Model UN scholarship application, an essay, and a participation confirmation/recommendation letter from your CTWAC advisor by March 15.
Selection criteria: Selection based on Model UN experience, essay quality, and advisor recommendation.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Two scholarships awarded annually at $2,000 per year, renewable up to four years for a total of $8,000 per recipient. Selected recipients are announced by April 1.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Two students per cycle who have at least one year of confirmed CTWAC Model United Nations experience, submit a strong essay, and earn a supporting letter from their Model UN advisor.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
President to President Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Determined by nominating partner college ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 2 yrs)
$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA👥 ~Up to three nominees per partner college per year. winners/yr🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Layers with UHart's transfer academic awards (up to $30,000 per year) for nominated transfers. Cannot be combined with other non-need-based UHart awards but does combine with need-based aid up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Be nominated by the president of your two-year college (up to three nominations per institution). Earn your Associate's degree with at least 45 credit hours, then enroll full-time at UHart. Each partner college may set additional internal criteria for nomination.
Selection criteria: Nominee-based selection by each partner college president, with UHart confirming GPA, credit, and degree completion criteria.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,000 per year for fall and spring semesters only, up to two years total. Limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents transferring from a Connecticut community-technical or junior college or one of five named Massachusetts two-year colleges: Berkshire Community College, Holyoke Community College, Greenfield Community College, Springfield Technical Community College, or Dean College. Non-U.S. citizens, part-time students, and students with a previous Bachelor's degree are not eligible.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Up to three nominees per partner college who earned at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA across 45+ credit hours, received their Associate's degree, and plan to enroll full-time at UHart immediately after.
App Required⚠ Transfer Only
Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship
📅 Deadline: May 1 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 2 yrs)
$2,500/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
Can layer on top of other academic transfer awards at admission but cannot combine with any other non-need-based UHart scholarship. Best treated as a dedicated PTK top-up that runs for the two years it takes to finish your bachelor's after transfer.
📄
How to Apply
Have your Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Advisor submit a letter of nomination to UHart by May 1. Submit your final official Associate's-degree transcript after the degree is earned. Enroll full-time immediately following two-year college graduation.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based on PTK membership, Associate's-degree completion with 3.5+ GPA, and immediate full-time transfer.
💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,500 per year for fall and spring semesters only, up to two years total. Awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who earn their Associate's degree, are PTK members, and transfer full-time directly to UHart. Cannot be combined with other non-need-based awards. Hartt School students are ineligible (they receive talent-based awards instead).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Phi Theta Kappa members who earned at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA when they completed their Associate's degree, are nominated by their chapter advisor, and plan to enroll at UHart full-time immediately after community college graduation.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How does my student get invited to the Scholarship Competition?
Apply Early Action with everything submitted by November 15. UHart emails invitations in December to high-achieving admits in the eligible colleges. There’s no separate application to fill out before that.
What happens at the competition?
Three things, and all three are required: an in-person event on campus, an in-person interview with a faculty member or university leader, and an essay completed online. Winners are notified in early April. Awards renew for four years with a 3.25 GPA.
Is it worth going if my student probably won’t win?
Yes. Every participant who completes all three parts gets an extra $1,000 added to their academic award, up to full tuition. Over four years that’s real money for one Saturday.
What about Hartford Art School students?
Admitted Art School students can be invited to a separate spring challenge (it was held March 7 in 2026). Three students win full tuition, which replaces their current offer, and everyone else who takes part gets $1,000 more a year.
Which activity-based scholarships add to merit?
FIRST Robotics ($2,000 a year, 5 awards, CETA admits, due March 1), ACE Mentor ($5,000 a year, 3 awards, CETA with preference for architecture, due March 1), CTWAC Model UN ($2,000 a year, 2 awards, supplement due March 15) and DECA ($2,000 a year, 5 awards, Barney School of Business, due April 1). The $35 application fee is waived for FIRST and DECA applicants.
Are there competitive scholarships for transfer students?
Yes. President to President ($3,000 a year for two years) is by nomination from Connecticut community colleges and five named Massachusetts two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa members can get $2,500 a year with a chapter advisor nomination by May 1.
🧠 Parent Strategy: Do the “Biggest Single Award” Math
Because UHart won’t let most non-need awards combine, the smart move is to figure out which one award is biggest for your student and make sure you qualify for it.
Look at the academic award in the admission letter.
If another family member will be a full-time UHart undergrad at the same time, compare it to the Family Grant (half of tuition).
If you live in Hartford or Bloomfield, check whether the half-tuition floor bumps you up.
Then add the extras that do combine: the Fall Visit Grant, program scholarships and need-based aid.
Parent translation: at UHart, knowing which award wins matters more than collecting a long list of them.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These are the awards families tend to miss. Some are tied to where you live or who else in the family is enrolled, a couple reward simply showing up on time, and a few are for students once they’re on campus.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Family Grant
📅 Deadline: April 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠ A sibling, parent or spouse must also be a full-time UHart undergraduate.
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Cannot be combined with other non-need-based awards, so compare it with your academic scholarship and keep the bigger one. Need-based aid can be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
Half-tuition grant when a sibling, parent or spouse is also enrolled as a full-time UHart undergraduate. Siblings must be dependents of the same parent or parents, and neither student can already hold a bachelor's degree or be eligible for third-party tuition assistance. Renewal requires full-time status, the GPA your school requires, and the family member staying enrolled full-time.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Families with two UHart undergraduates enrolled at the same time.
Automaticpipeline
Hartt / Art Talent Scholarships
📅 Deadline: November 1 · 📢 Results: At or shortly after admission decision ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Hartt School and Hartford Art School admits only; audition or portfolio required.
👥 ~Determined annually by The Hartt School and Hartford Art School based on available scholarship funds. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Talent awards cannot be combined with other non-need-based UHart awards, so a Hartt or Art School student gets a talent award instead of the standard academic scholarship. Need-based aid can be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
Talent scholarships up to full tuition, awarded at admission. Hartt Performing Arts Scholarships are based on the audition plus academics, and every accepted Hartt student is considered automatically. They renew for up to four years (five for approved double majors or five-year programs) with a 2.75 cumulative UHart GPA or a 3.0 in the Hartt major. Hartford Art School Artistic Merit Scholarships are based on the portfolio review plus academics and renew with a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the dean's recommendation.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students whose audition or portfolio stands out, backed by a solid academic record.
Automatic
Fall Visit Grant
📅 Deadline: December 15 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
UHart says it cannot be combined with any full-tuition offer. For everyone else it adds to the package.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year for four years ($4,000 total) for first-year applicants who visit campus in person through a scheduled tour or Fall Open House between August 1 and December 15, then are admitted, submit all materials on time and enroll full-time. Renewal requires staying eligible and making satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Anyone who visits in person during the fall window and ends up enrolling full-time.
Automatic
FAFSA Completion Incentive
📅 Deadline: April 1 Non-Renewable
$2,000
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
UHart says it cannot be combined with other partial non-need-based award offers and is not applied if total aid already equals or exceeds full tuition. In practice it helps students who did not receive a merit offer the most.
💡
Strategic Detail
A one-time $2,000 award for new undergraduates who submit the FAFSA by UHart's April 1 priority date and deposit by May 1. UHart offered it for students entering in 2026-27, so confirm it is still offered for your entry year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New students who file the FAFSA on time and deposit by May 1, especially those without a partial merit award.
Automatic⚠ Transfer Only
Transfer Academic Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Apply early; awarded at admission based on timing and available funds ✓ Renews (3 GPA)
$30,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
⚠ Full-time transfer students only.
🎓 Transfer
✚
Stacking & Combining
As an academic award it cannot be combined with other non-need-based UHart awards, except that the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship can be added at admission and President to President nominees are layered in as well. Need-based aid can be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
Full-time transfer students who show strong college grades are considered for academic scholarships of up to $30,000 at admission. UHart says eligibility also depends on how early you apply and how much money is left. Hartt School transfers are considered for talent awards instead.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Full-time transfers with strong college GPAs who apply early.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
University Emeriti Association Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 13 Non-Renewable
$3,500
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~Three awards each year. winners/yr🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Adds to your existing scholarships and aid, up to your cost of attendance. It is a one-year award, so a junior who wins must reapply as a senior.
📄
How to Apply
Watch UNotes for the spring announcement, then send a cover letter, resume and two letters of recommendation by the mid-March deadline.
Selection criteria: Evaluated on GPA, quality and extent of service contributions, and strength of faculty recommendation.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Three $3,500 awards each year from the University of Hartford Emeriti Association. Open to full-time undergraduates who will be juniors or seniors, with at least a 3.50 GPA and evidence of university or community service.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Rising juniors and seniors with a 3.5 or higher GPA and a real record of service, backed by strong faculty letters.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Dorothy Goodwin Project Grants
📅 Deadline: October 4 Non-Renewable
$1,000–$3,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Twenty-two students received grants for 2025-26. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
This is project funding, not tuition money, so it does not replace your merit award.
📄
How to Apply
Line up a faculty or staff mentor, write the project proposal, and apply by the October priority date.
Selection criteria: Selection based on project quality, feasibility, mentorship, and student’s academic preparation.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Project grants of $1,000 to $3,000 for spring or spring and summer research and creative projects, run through UHart's Women's Advancement Initiative. Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, post-baccalaureate and graduate students with at least a 3.0 GPA and a UHart faculty or staff mentor. UHart says all students are welcome to apply.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with a well-planned project and a committed faculty or staff mentor.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Study Abroad Scholarships
📅 Deadline: October 15 (winter and spring terms); March 1 (summer and fall terms) Non-Renewable
$1,000–$1,500
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.5+ GPA👥 ~Varies by scholarship fund and term. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Adds to your regular aid to help cover the extra cost of a term abroad.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to an approved UHart study abroad program, then submit the scholarship application by October 15 or March 1 depending on the term.
Selection criteria: Selection typically considers financial need, academic standing, and quality of the student’s goals for study abroad.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Three named awards for UHart study abroad: the Domenica Di Matteo Scholarship (up to $1,000, 2.5 GPA, financial need), the Gladys B. and Robert E. Dunn Scholarship (up to $1,500, 3.0 GPA, financial need) and the International Experience Endowed Fund (up to $1,500, 2.75 GPA, for study in the Caribbean, Central or South America, or Africa, with preference for research or NGO work).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with financial need and a completed study abroad application who apply by the term deadline.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Air Force ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: January 12 (typical national HS deadline); in-college deadlines rolling ✓ Renews
Full Tuition
AFROTC tuition scholarship with books and monthly stipend
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Determined annually by the U.S. Air Force and local detachment. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers full or partial tuition plus books and a monthly stipend; may replace some institutional tuition aid but can often stack with housing or need-based aid up to cost of attendance.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for an Air Force ROTC scholarship via the national AFROTC application as a high school student or through in-college boards, then participate in AFROTC while enrolled at the University of Hartford via the host/crosstown arrangement.
Selection criteria: Selection based on academic record, leadership potential, physical fitness, and ROTC board review.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
UHart students take part in Air Force ROTC as crosstown cadets with the University of Connecticut's Detachment 115. Scholarship levels and rules are set by the U.S. Air Force.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who meet AFROTC academic, fitness, and citizenship standards and commit to commissioning as Air Force officers.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Money the college does not control. Federal programs, city promise funds, foundations, and employers. The college may help you apply, but someone else writes the check, and these almost always stack with the college's own awards.
Outside MoneyAutomatic
Hartford Promise + Greater Futures Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No application; file the FAFSA by UHart's April 1 priority date ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$25,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Hartford residents who attend a Hartford public high school from 9th grade.
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Last-dollar money: it fills what is left after other grants and scholarships, up to tuition and approved costs. The free housing at UHart is a separate partner benefit and one of the most valuable ones on the list.
💡
Strategic Detail
Hartford Promise is a last-dollar scholarship for Hartford students. At four-year colleges it pays up to $5,000 per year from Hartford Promise plus up to $20,000 per year through the Greater Futures Scholarship Fund, up to $100,000 over four years. To qualify, a student must attend a Hartford public high school continuously from 9th grade, live in Hartford through high school, keep at least 93% attendance and a 3.0 GPA. UHart is a partner college and gives Promise Scholars free on-campus housing for all four years. UHart reported a record 16 first-year Promise Scholars in fall 2025.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Hartford public high school graduates who met the attendance and GPA rules for all four years of high school and enroll full-time at UHart.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
We’ll have two kids at UHart at once. Is there a discount?
Yes. The Family Grant is half of tuition when a sibling, parent or spouse is also a full-time UHart undergraduate. Siblings need to be dependents of the same parents. It can’t be combined with other non-need awards, so compare it to the academic scholarship and keep whichever is larger.
Is the Hartford Promise worth more at UHart?
It can be. Hartford Promise pays up to $25,000 a year at four-year colleges, and UHart adds free on-campus housing for all four years for Promise Scholars. To qualify, students must attend a Hartford public high school from 9th grade, live in Hartford through high school, keep 93% attendance and a 3.0 GPA.
Does a campus visit really earn money?
Yes, $1,000 a year for four years. Your student has to visit in person through a scheduled tour or Fall Open House between August 1 and December 15, then apply, be admitted and enroll full-time. It doesn’t apply if your student ends up with a full-tuition offer.
What’s the $2,000 FAFSA incentive?
For students entering in 2026-27, UHart gave a one-time $2,000 to new students who filed the FAFSA by April 1 and deposited by May 1. It isn’t added if your student already has a partial merit award or if aid already covers tuition, so it mostly helps families who didn’t get a merit offer. Confirm it’s still running for your year.
Are there scholarships once my student is enrolled?
Yes. The Emeriti Association gives three $3,500 awards to rising juniors and seniors with a 3.5 GPA and a service record (due mid-March). Dorothy Goodwin Project Grants fund $1,000 to $3,000 student projects (due in October). Study abroad scholarships add $1,000 to $1,500 per trip. UHart also has an online scholarship portal for current students with donor-funded awards.
Is there a catch with the current-student scholarship portal?
One. UHart says students must accept the full amount of their federal Direct Loans to be considered for additional aid through the portal. If your family plans to decline loans, weigh that against the donor scholarships your student might miss.
Does UHart offer ROTC?
Air Force ROTC, yes: UHart students join as crosstown cadets with UConn’s Detachment 115, and scholarship amounts are set by the Air Force.
UHart runs an Honors Program (not a separate Honors College), and the good news is there’s no extra application. Every student who applies to UHart is reviewed for honors potential, and invitations show up right in the acceptance letter. Students who receive a President’s or Regents’ Scholarship automatically qualify. If your student isn’t invited at first, they can still join after their first semester with a 3.0 GPA.
How students are evaluated: SAT or ACT (if sent), high school GPA and class rank (if reported)
What it takes to graduate with honors: 18 honors credits, mostly built into the major, plus a thesis or senior project
Perks: honors classes of 12 to 20 students, priority registration with a 3.5+ GPA, faculty mentoring, and a residential learning community (by application)
Honors Scholarships
Automatic
National Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: November 15 · 📢 Results: With admission decision and Honors invitation ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Not published. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
An academic scholarship, so it cannot be combined with other non-need-based UHart awards. Need-based aid can be added.
💡
Strategic Detail
UHart lists the National Honors Scholarship among its academic awards, with renewal at a 3.25 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. UHart does not publish the amount or the selection criteria. It is awarded through the regular academic scholarship review, not a separate application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: UHart does not publish selection criteria. Recipients come from the strongest admits reviewed for academic scholarships.
Data last verified Sep 27, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
UHart lists the National Honors Scholarship among its academic awards but doesn’t publish the amount or how recipients are chosen. It renews with a 3.25 GPA and replaces, rather than adds to, the regular academic scholarship.
Honors Money After Freshman Year: Honors students can apply for research funding such as the Cathles Award (two $2,000 undergraduate awards with a 3.25 GPA; due October 16 for 2026-27) and the Cardin Award (up to $1,250 for humanities research in the Hillyer College of Arts and Sciences). The Honors office also helps students through nominations for national awards like the Goldwater, Truman, Rhodes and Fulbright.
A Full-Tuition Award Most Families Never Hear About
The Herbert P. Schoen Endowed Scholarship covers full tuition for a student’s last two years. It’s for students in the Hillyer College of Arts and Sciences with at least 30 UHart credits, a 3.0 GPA, a major in sociology, politics, criminal justice, psychology, foreign languages, communication, history or English, and a real commitment to community and public service. Applications come from the dean’s office in the spring.
Honors Program FAQs (University of Hartford)
Does my student need to apply to the Honors Program?
No. UHart reviews every applicant for honors, and the invitation comes in the acceptance letter. Students who get a President’s or Regents’ Scholarship are automatically eligible.
What if my student isn’t invited as a freshman?
They can become eligible after finishing their first semester with a 3.0 GPA. After taking an honors course or two, students declare honors in the self-service portal.
Does the Honors Program come with a scholarship?
Not automatically. Honors is an academic program. The money comes from the academic scholarships (including the National Honors Scholarship for some students) and the honors research awards once your student is enrolled.
Will honors add extra classes?
Usually not many. Most of the 18 honors credits are built into the regular degree plan. Depending on the college, students take 3 to 6 credits beyond what their major requires, and all honors courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Can Hartt and Art School students do honors?
Yes. The program is designed to line up with each school and college, and UHart highlights a composition student who wrote, cast and produced an original musical as an honors project.
The University of Hartford was formed in 1957 when an art school, a music school and a small college decided to join forces, and you can still feel that mix today. It’s a mid-sized private university in West Hartford (about 6,000 students) where a conservatory, an art school and career-focused programs like engineering, business and physical therapy share one campus. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11 to 1.
Nationally Known Program: The Hartt School: UHart’s full performing arts conservatory for music, dance and theatre, founded in 1920. Music Theatre seniors spend three weeks at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Musicals, and the dance program has made DanceUS.org’s best college dance programs list seven years running. If your student is a performer, Hartt is the reason UHart is on your list.
Acoustical Engineering and Music: One of the few acoustics programs in the country, run jointly with Hartt. Students take engineering plus ear training, private lessons and orchestra, and they have to pass a Hartt audition to get in. It’s accredited as both an engineering program and a music program.
Hartford Art School: Founded in 1877 by a group of women that included Harriet Beecher Stowe. It offers BFAs in animation and game art, illustration and visual communication design, along with painting, photography, sculpture and more.
Architecture: An undergraduate degree in architectural design and technology with a five-year path into UHart’s accredited Master of Architecture.
Health Professions: Direct-entry physical therapy (a six-year accelerated or seven-year path to the doctorate), a five-year prosthetics and orthotics master’s that UHart says is one of only 13 accredited in the country, plus nursing and radiologic technology.
Barney School of Business: AACSB-accredited, with majors like accounting, finance, business analytics, sports management and supply chain.
Hillyer College of Arts and Sciences: As of July 2026, UHart’s former two-year Hillyer College merged with Arts and Sciences. Students are now admitted straight into their bachelor’s program, and those who need a stronger start take “Hawk Advantage” sections capped at 15 students with extra peer support. Psychology, education and communication are popular paths here.
🔗 Official University of Hartford Links
Use UHart’s official pages below to double-check scholarship rules, costs and deadlines. Rules and dollar amounts can change from year to year, so the university’s pages always have the final word.
Big picture? The University of Hartford is a school where a conservatory, an art school and hands-on programs like engineering, architecture and physical therapy all live on one campus, and its scholarship system is built the same way: one main award per student, chosen by how they get in. Academic students compete on grades, performers compete on the audition, and artists compete on the portfolio. Almost everyone who applies gets in, so the money is where the real work happens.
The playbook is simple. Visit in the fall, apply Early Action by November 15 (November 1 for Hartt), and say yes to a Scholarship Competition invite if one comes, since even showing up earns $1,000 a year. Then do the “biggest single award” math, especially if you live in Hartford or Bloomfield, have two kids enrolled at once, or qualify for Hartford Promise. And once your student is on campus, protect that GPA, because at UHart a scholarship lost is a scholarship gone for good.
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Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
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Written by Leo Dimilo. Leo started CollegeReadyParent after working through the college money maze with his own daughter. He writes every guide for middle-income and first-generation families who want straight answers about what college will really cost.
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