Degree Completion Initiative

Since its launch in 2019, the Degree Completion Initiative (DCI) by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) has been a vital resource for college juniors and seniors facing unexpected financial challenges that threaten their ability to graduate. Whether due to a parent’s job loss, reduced scholarships, rising tuition, or the need to work more hours, many students find themselves just shy of the finish line, unable to register for classes or graduate because of outstanding balances.

To address this, CFGNB partnered with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to provide targeted financial assistance to students in good academic standing with demonstrated need. The program began with a pilot funded by undesignated CFGNB resources and has since grown, with additional support from the James G. Williamson Education Assistance Fund and the Julian R. Judge Memorial Fund.

In 2024, CFGNB proudly expanded the DCI to include Charter Oak State College, furthering its mission to provide the fastest, most affordable, and convenient path to a degree. This expansion reflects CFGNB’s deep commitment to education and community growth, enabling more students to achieve their academic goals.

These awards are more than just financial aid, they are lifelines. One 2024 recipient shared:

“Finishing college for me is especially important because as a first-generation Latina immigrant, I will defeat all the odds against me. I will prove to my parents that their efforts in bringing me to this country for a better chance at life were worth it. I will also prove to myself that everything I set my mind to is possible through hard work and dedication.”

This powerful testimony underscores the impact of the DCI, not just in dollars, but in dreams realized and futures transformed.