Hartford Promise Funds from CHEFA

October 10, 2025

With this three-year Enterprise Capital grant from CHEFA, the funding will fuel expansion of career and civic engagement programming through the new Reaching Beyond initiative, empowering Hartford Promise Scholars to gain the skills, experiences, and connections they need to launch into successful careers and leadership roles.

Hartford Promise was founded to address the low percentage of public high school students in Hartford going to and graduating from college (23% in 2015). A lack of higher education success contributes to poverty, poor health, and family instability.

The Hartford public high schools that are eligible: 

  • Achievement First Hartford High School
  • ​Bulkeley High School
  • Capital Preparatory Magnet
  • Classical Magnet
  • Great Path Academy
  • Hartford Public High School
  • Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy
  • Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts
  • Pathways Academy of Technology & Design
  • Sport & Medical Sciences Academy
  • University HS of Science & Engineering
  • Weaver High School

When Hartford Promise started a decade ago, students qualified for $20,000. Now, with generous support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, CHEFA, UConn, and others, every new Hartford Promise Scholar, starting with the high school Class of 2025, is eligible for up to $100,000 over four years toward any accredited four-year college.

To automatically qualify for the Hartford Promise program, a student must:

  • Attend a Hartford public high school continuously since the 9th grade
  • Be a Hartford resident throughout high school
  • Have a 93% or better cumulative attendance record during high school
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better on a 4.0 scale in high school
Hartford Promise alumnus Jonathan Pryce Jr. moved to Hartford from Jamaica with his family in 2006. Pryce noted he is deeply rooted in the city. Both of his parents were teachers, and they not only encouraged learning; they expected it. Jonathan chose Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts, and embarked on his college career as a business major with a minor in finance. Pryce noted the need to take a semester off from school, but Hartford Promise continued to be there, supporting him along the way, and being flexible. Hartford Promise's Reaching Beyond service helped him obtain an internship at Fairview Capital, a private equity firm in West Hartford. Pryce acknowledged that this internship became a reality as a result of a direct connection between Hartford Promise and Fairview Capital. Hartford Promise also helped him with building his resume and interview preparation. He is now working in the commercial banking division for Webster Bank.

"I'm working in the community that raised me," Pryce said. "I'm proud to be part of Hartford's future."
Over the past 10 years, 1,300 students have qualified as Hartford Promise Scholars, and 500 of these scholars attended over 80 colleges across the country. Hartford Promise has been a vital lifeline for students and families in the city. 

For more information on Hartford Promise Scholars, visit www.hartfordpromise.org/
Graphics courtesy of Hartford Promise Scholars