The Charter Oak State College Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to COSC students striving to complete their degrees through the awarding of scholarships, grants, and other financial awards.
The Foundation Scholarships and the Named Endowed Scholarships are funded by the generosity of family, friends, and fans of COSC. Together, we are helping create Brighter Futures, One Degree at a Time.
The endowment of funds creates a lasting legacy and honors the named individual while supporting higher education degree completion. To learn about creating a legacy fund please contact, Carol Hall, COSC Foundation Executive Director, chall@charteroak.edu or 860-515-3889. To donate to the Scholarship Program, visit – Donate Now - and choose the Scholarship fund.
Please note that Foundation Scholarships are awarded to current or incoming students based on select criteria for each scholarship (outlined below).
Applications are located in the MyCharterOak Student Portal during the application season.
Foundation competitive scholarships are awarded annually to current students, undergraduate and graduate, which are enrolled/matriculated, and who attend courses [at Charter Oak State College].
Students are informed when the online scholarship application process is open via email and system announcement. In addition, their academic advisor may recommend specific need or program-based scholarships.
Specific criteria per scholarship, such as program of study, GPA minimum, or financial need will be listed in the application portal and students are responsible to ensure they meet the criteria, prepare an essay and financial need statement (as applicable) by the deadline.
All awarded students will receive notification via email and will see the award on their account for the applicable semester(s).
Updates
- Charter Oak State College Foundation, Scholarship ProgramThe Scholarship application process for the 2024/2025 Academic Year is now complete. The Charter Oak State College Foundation awarded scholarships to 67 students (and received over 100 applications).
- The all-volunteer board of directors is committed to raising more funds annually to meet the need of our students more fully. If you did not receive a scholarship this year, please try again next season.
- The 2025/2026 Scholarship Application will open in the spring of 2025 / for awarding fall of 2025. Announcements will be made here and on the MyCharterOak site.
Dr. George Moker
Dr. George Moker, Charter Oak State College Alum, is paying-it-forward, big-time! As a way to say, "thank you to Charter Oak" and help others, George gave a gift that will last in perpetuity. The Dr. George G. Moker Endowed Scholarship is for students in the business administration or small business programs.
Dr. Shirley Adams, New Beginnings Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Shirley Adams came to Charter Oak State College as Provost August 1, 2002 with a passion for adult learners, for first generation college students, and for second chances. She worked tirelessly for the betterment of our adult students and advancing the academic programs at the College for almost 20 years. Dedicated to helping students return to college and begin again, the Shirley M. Adams, Ph.D., Scholarship Fund – New Beginnings, is intended for (first-generation) current or incoming students who help to educate our communities, such as Early Childhood Education (ARC, Bachelors, or Masters) programs.
Equity and Access
Equity and Access is a priority of the COSC Foundation. In 2020 and 2021 the Shea Lecture Series provided a platform for solutions to be uncovered. Equal Access to Higher Education is possible through funding. Please see below for a few special opportunities available (for application) for Charter Oak Student Parents of Color (PiiT) and Single Moms (WIT). Also, the Student Crisis Fund is available to students who are experiencing an unexpected financial hardship that may create a barrier to degree completion.
Undergraduate
Foundation Scholar Scholarship | Current Students
The Foundation Scholar Award is for current Charter Oak undergraduate student scholars who have a minimum GPA of 3.0. This academic award will be awarded based on GPA, academic achievements, and the quality of the essay.
Foundation General Scholarship | Current Students
The Foundation General Award is for current Charter Oak undergarduate students who have financial need. This scholarship will be awarded based on student financial need, and the quality of the essay.
The Shirley M. Adams, Ph.D., Scholarship Fund – New Beginnings | Current & Incoming Students
The Shirley M. Adams, Ph.D., Scholarship Fund – New Beginnings, is for (incoming or current) students that are independent adult students with some college credit, who are in low paying jobs or living in poverty and are first-generation college students. Students that help to educate our communities, such as Early Childhood Education (ARC, Bachelors, or Masters) programs are encouraged to apply, and will be given preference.
Dr. George G. Moker Endowed Scholarship | Current Students
The Dr. George G. Moker scholarship will give financial assistance to a current undergraduate Charter Oak student striving to complete their degree in Business Administration Bachelor’s degree, or a degree with a small business or entrepreneurial concentration.
John and Elizabeth Blennerhassett Scholarship | Current Students
This scholarship is open to working parents who show academic promise and financial need. The scholarship can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses. Learn More.
Mark Carr Endowed Scholarship | Public Safety
The Mark Carr Scholarship Award honors the memory of Mark Carr who was the former Fire Chief of New Britain, CT. The scholarship is for full-time or part-time Charter Oak students who are currently participating in Public Safety Administration education or working in Public Safety seeking a degree with a minimum B grade. Learn More.
R. Wayne Clugston Scholarship | Leadership
The R. Wayne Clugston created the Organizational Leadership Fund to provide undergraduate scholarships for individuals preparing for clearly defined leadership roles in service-based organizations. Preference will be given to individuals associated with smaller organizations that are providing quantifiable support toward individual leadership goals. Learn More.
Sgt. George Dingwall | Current Students
Sergeant George R. Dingwall was a Charter Oak State graduate and Middletown, Connecticut law enforcement officer who lost his life in the line of duty. This special scholarship has been established in his memory. The scholarship is open to Charter Oak students employed in the public safety field from any geographic region within the United States with preference given to residents of Connecticut. Learn More.
Harris-Wiener Family Scholarship | Current female Students
This scholarship is open to women, who are employed, have demonstrated financial need, and who show academic promise. Preference for awarding will be given to individuals who are employed in or planning a career in: Education, Early Care and Education, Government, or Non-profit Organizations. The scholarship can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses. Learn More.
Beverly & Rodney Hawes, Jr. Scholarship | Current Students
This scholarship is available to a Charter Oak Student pursuing a business concentration who has demonstrated qualities of leadership and commitment to community and is considered to possess the potential to make positive contributions within a business environment. The scholarship can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses. Learn More.
Michael A. Marusa Scholarship | Current Students
The Michael A. Marusa Scholarship was created to embody the spirit and honor the memory of Mike. He had a quick wit, keen business sense, and a genuine love of life; and his path to a college degree was a non-traditional one at the age of 47. The Scholarship is open to a Charter Oak student with a minimum GPA of 3.0, who is on a journey to degree completion and who exemplifies ambition and a desire for improvement for themselves, their family, and their community. The Scholarship can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books or other educational expenses. Learn More.
Naomi K. Cohen Public Service Scholarship | Current Students
Naomi K. Cohen is a 1995 Charter Oak State College graduate, and a retired member of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, she served as a tireless advocate for Connecticut students and families, and she championed stronger sexual assault policies on all college campuses. This Scholarship was created to honor her years of service
The Naomi K. Cohen Public Service Scholarship will be awarded to a Charter Oak State College student who has demonstrated financial need, is dedicated to public service, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership or in General Studies with a concentration in Political Science or Public Administration or a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
The Robert and Margaret Patricelli Scholarship | Current Students
The Patricelli Scholarship is for students who are Hartford Residents, in good academic standing, and have financial need.- Community College Tuition Match Discount Program | Incoming Students
Are you a recent graduate of a CT State Community College?
Do you want to pursue your bachelor’s degree?
Do you need a cost-effective and efficient way to do it?
Our Community College Tuition Match Discount Program may be your answer! Learn More.
Graduate Students
Alumni Association Master of Science Degree Scholarship |Current & Incoming Students
The Charter Oak Alumni Association Masters Scholarship Program was created to financially assist deserving Charter Oak graduates pursuing a master’s degree at Charter Oak State College.
The award amount is $1,000 and will be awarded to an enrolled student for the Fall Semester. Prospective students can apply to both a COSC Master’s Program and the Alumni Scholarship at the same time.
Scholarship Criteria: Eligible students will be graduates of Charter Oak State College pursuing a master’s degree at Charter Oak State College who have shown outstanding academic and personal resilience, leadership experience, high academic standards, and solid career aspirations.
Foundation Master’s Degree Scholarship | Current & Incoming Students
The Foundation Master’s Degree Scholarship Award is for current and incoming enrolled students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0. This academic scholarship will be awarded based on GPA, academic achievements, and aspirations – plus the quality of the essay. The award amount is typically $850 and is applied to the student account.
Technology Grant
The Technology Grant is to assist Charter Oak students with the purchase of technology that supports online learning. Eligible purchases include computer, printer, network hardware (router, modem, etc.), and/or internet provider access. Award Amount is up to $800. Learn More.
WIT (Women in Transition)
Visit the program page to learn more about the benefits of the Women in Transition (WIT) Program information page.
PiiT (Parents intent on Improving Tomorrow)
Student Crisis Fund
The Charter Oak State College Foundation’s Student Crisis Fund was established in 2011 to provide funds to Charter Oak State College students for unforeseen financial crisis situations that could prevent students from successfully completing their degree. Please email foundation@charteroak.edu with your crisis need. To learn more go to the Student Crisis Fund page.
Credit for Prior Learning
Earn credit for what you know! Visit the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Scholarship page.
The Dr. Bernard D. Shea Endowed Fund
Senior Legacy Fund
Endowments provide for the future of the College, its students, and faculty and is a lasting gift for generations. Donations to Endowed Funds are restricted and subject to requirements that maintain the principle in investments to create a source of income for future generations.
An endowed named gift may be established with a minimum of $10,000. The endowed gift may be made in payments over a designated number of years.
Donations may be allocated to a specific Endowed Fund or where most needed. Please visit online donations to contribute to future generations!
For further information, please contact Carol Hall, Executive Director of the Charter Oak State College Foundation at foundation@charteroak.edu or call 860.515.3889.