Screen Reader Mode Icon
The Graduate Student Grant Program provides direct payments to Graduate Student Loan servicers for up to $10,000 over two years, paid in semi-annual installments. Applications are due by Thursday, October 31, 2024. Awards will be made at The Big Connect, GNHCC’s business expo, on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Award recipients are selected based on their contributions to the community and financial need. Applicants to this program must:

• Either have earned a graduate degree in the past five years or will be earning a graduate degree by June 2025

• Either be employed or be promised future employment for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a public service nonprofit organization (The employer must have current 501c3 status with the IRS) Qualifying nonprofits are: human services, arts, environment, community development organizations

• Work for a nonprofit in one of the following municipalities: Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven or Woodbridge

• Have previously received need-related student loans through such vehicles as the GSLA (Stafford) or NDSL (Perkins) programs during their graduate studies

• Have a personal annual income of less than $85,000 at the time of the award

If awarded, the program will forward payment directly to the Loan Servicer for four consecutive periods (over two years) during which the applicant must remain employed by a nonprofit that meets the criteria described. At the time of the award, and immediately prior to each loan payment, awardees will (1) submit documentation on existing loan balances, and (2) submit current verification of employment noting hours per week and salary. Eligibility due to changes in employment will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Loan payments will not exceed the existing balance on any loan.

T