By Alison Cross, Day Staff Writer
Published:
Aug 19, 2026 4:56 PM
New London — The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut announced that it has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to nearly 300 students for the 2026-27 school year.
The foundation said 294 students, who hail from 36 towns across the region, will receive $1.2 million in scholarships toward their higher education.
The foundation said the students are pursuing a range of career paths, from nursing and marine biology to civil rights law, entrepreneurship and law enforcement.
“Our scholarships provide critical financial support, helping students invest in their education while reducing the burden of student loan debt,” Jennifer O’Brien, the foundation’s program director, said in a statement on Wednesday.
The foundation said its scholarship program, which manages 125 unique scholarship funds, has awarded more than $13 million to more than 4,000 students since 1983.
“These awards are made possible by generous individuals, families and organizations who have established scholarship funds at the Foundation to invest in students and expand access to educational opportunities,” the foundation said. “Scholarships support students with a broad range of backgrounds, educational goals, and career aspirations, helping make higher education more attainable for young people throughout the region.”
In a statement, Maryam Elahi, the foundation’s president and CEO, thanked donors for their continued support of the program.
“Behind every scholarship is a donor who believes in the potential of young people in our region,” Elahi said. “Their generosity opens doors for students and helps build a stronger future for Eastern Connecticut.”
