Sen. Slap, Rep. Haddad Join Task Force Leaders to Push for Statewide Scholarship Program
Task Force Proposal Would Expand Promise Programs and Establish Statewide Scholar Success Grant
HARTFORD, CT — Tomorrow, State Senator Derek Slap, State Representative Gregg Haddad, members of the Promise Program Task Force, students, and advocates will hold a press conference in support of legislation designed to improve college affordability and strengthen Connecticut’s higher education and workforce pipeline.
The event will highlight Senate Bill 380, which implements the recommendations of the Promise Program Task Force, established during the 2025 legislative session to examine how Connecticut can expand access to higher education, improve student success, and better align education with the state’s long-term economic needs.
Currently, Connecticut underinvests significantly in student financial aid, spending approximately $245 per undergraduate student, compared to a national average of roughly $1,283 per student. At the same time, Connecticut exports nearly 40 percent of its college-bound students each year, with many enrolling in neighboring states.
Supporters say improving college affordability and building a coordinated statewide system of student support are critical steps toward keeping more students in Connecticut and preparing the state’s workforce for the future.
The Task Force—co-chaired by Dr. Kelvin Roldán and Richard Sugarman—recommends creating a coordinated Connecticut Ecosystem of Promise that expands local Promise programs and strengthens statewide college affordability efforts.
The proposal includes:
The event will highlight Senate Bill 380, which implements the recommendations of the Promise Program Task Force, established during the 2025 legislative session to examine how Connecticut can expand access to higher education, improve student success, and better align education with the state’s long-term economic needs.
Currently, Connecticut underinvests significantly in student financial aid, spending approximately $245 per undergraduate student, compared to a national average of roughly $1,283 per student. At the same time, Connecticut exports nearly 40 percent of its college-bound students each year, with many enrolling in neighboring states.
Supporters say improving college affordability and building a coordinated statewide system of student support are critical steps toward keeping more students in Connecticut and preparing the state’s workforce for the future.
The Task Force—co-chaired by Dr. Kelvin Roldán and Richard Sugarman—recommends creating a coordinated Connecticut Ecosystem of Promise that expands local Promise programs and strengthens statewide college affordability efforts.
The proposal includes:
- Establishing an Office of Postsecondary Success, a statewide leadership function responsible for coordinating Connecticut’s higher education ecosystem, aligning state policy, institutions, workforce partners, and community programs to improve college access, completion, and talent retention.
- Providing direct state support for existing Promise programs while creating technical assistance to help additional communities develop new Promise initiatives.
- Creating a Scholar Success Grant Program that provides need- and merit-based financial aid to Connecticut students, with award levels scaled by household income up to $110,000.
- Pairing financial aid with proven student success supports, including high-touch advising, mentorship, financial literacy education, and career alignment.
Together, these initiatives aim to improve college affordability, expand student success, and position Connecticut to lead with a highly educated workforce in the years ahead.
Who:
State Senator Derek Slap, co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Rep. Haddad, co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Rep. Bronko, Ranking Member of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Richard Sugarman Co-Chair of the Promise Program Task Force
Dr. Kelvin Roldán, Co-Chair of the Promise Program Task Force
Rashaun Davis, Hartford Promise Scholar – UConn ‘22
Jocelin Quituizaca, Waterbury Promise Scholar – Current Student at CCSU
Dr. Sivan Hines, President of Hartford Promise
Jay Williams, President of Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
What: Press Conference on Legislation to Support Promise Programs
Where: Hearing Room 2D, Legislative Office Building
When: Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m.
Who:
State Senator Derek Slap, co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Rep. Haddad, co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Rep. Bronko, Ranking Member of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Richard Sugarman Co-Chair of the Promise Program Task Force
Dr. Kelvin Roldán, Co-Chair of the Promise Program Task Force
Rashaun Davis, Hartford Promise Scholar – UConn ‘22
Jocelin Quituizaca, Waterbury Promise Scholar – Current Student at CCSU
Dr. Sivan Hines, President of Hartford Promise
Jay Williams, President of Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
What: Press Conference on Legislation to Support Promise Programs
Where: Hearing Room 2D, Legislative Office Building
When: Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m.
