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Metallica Scholars
CT State Asnuntuck is a proud recipient of the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), which enhances the student experience and career readiness in its advanced manufacturing programs.
The grant allows CT State Asnuntuck to award scholarships to students in the advanced manufacturing cohort, provide OSHA 10 training and certification, make new robotics simulation software available and supply welding students with their own equipment, which they can take with them to use in future employment.
About the Program
When you think of the iconic rock band Metallica, higher education and scholarships may not be the first thing that crosses your mind, but through their foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), the band partners with the American Association of Community Colleges to provide direct support to community colleges through the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). This initiative provides skills and services to students looking to enter a conventional trade or other applied learning programs. AWMH currently supports 75 community colleges, investing over $13.5 million to date to help students interested in gaining skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers.
Become a Metallica Scholar
CT State Asnuntuck students in the Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology, Robotics and Mechatronics and Welding and Fabrication Technology programs may qualify for this initiative. To learn more about the program or to tour the manufacturing space at Asnuntuck, contact as-manufacturing@ctstate.edu.
Student Success Stories
Mylissa Brown
From the moment Mylissa stepped into the Advanced Manufacturing Program shop at CT State Asnuntuck, she was hooked.
After her studies, Mylissa found employment at the Shepard Steel team in Hartford as a flux core welder. In the next five to ten years, she aspires to continue her work at Shepard Steel while pursuing her side passion in the automotive repair field.
In Mylissa's Words
“I enjoyed stick welding the most, or anything in the welding shop! Hands-on was the best over theory classes. Because of the Metallica Scholars grant assisting me, I didn’t miss out on anything. I am forever grateful to Metallica for all their support to make my educational experience as successful as it was.”
John Sialis-Giagios
John studied Robotics and Mechatronics Technician. With support from MSI, he graduated with the skills and confidence needed to secure a position as an Automation Technician at C&S Wholesale Grocers. He's working in their cutting-edge, fully automated warehouse. He works with advanced automation systems, contributing to innovative solutions.
In John's Words
"The Metallica Scholars Initiative played a critical role in shaping my education and new career in the manufacturing industry. Through the program, I gained a wealth of knowledge and tons of hands-on experience with industry-accurate machines and technology, along with industry certifications and access to state-of-the-art robotics and mechatronics training that prepared me for real-world applications. The financial assistance and resources provided by Metallica, including textbooks, sophisticated robotics software, and a brand-new digital multimeter, allowed us to focus on our studies without the burden of financial woes and greatly lessened the cost of purchasing tools. The sophisticated robotics software was immensely helpful in training us for entering the dynamic manufacturing industry, equipping us with the technical skills and problem-solving abilities required to excel in the field. This would not have been possible without the help of Metallica. Their support ensured that I had the tools, training and financial relief necessary to pursue my passion and establish a meaningful career in automation. I’m incredibly grateful for the Metallica Scholars Initiative and CT State Asnuntuck for paving the way for my success in manufacturing and automation."
In the News
- CT State Asnuntuck First in CT to be Selected for Metallica Scholars Initiative Workforce Education Program (CT State Newsroom, July 22, 2024)
- Metallica Scholars Initiative Now in All 50 States (Community College Daily, July 22, 2024)
- CT State Asnuntuck Selected for Second Year for Metallica Scholars Initiative (Enfield Patch, August 25, 2025)
- CT State Asnuntuck Announces Participation in Metallica Scholars Initiative (Business West, August 25, 2025)
- CT State Asnuntuck Invited to Join Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) for Second Time (CT State Newsroom, September 2, 2025)
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Private (Alternative) Education Loans
Private (Alternative) Education Loans
A private education loan, or alternative loan, is a type of student loan offered by private lenders such as banks, credit unions, state agencies, or online lenders to help pay for college tuition or other educational expenses. Unlike federal student loans, private education loans are based largely on the borrower’s creditworthiness and often require a cosigner for students with limited credit history. Interest rates and eligibility are based on factors such as credit score, income, and debt history, and rates may either vary over time with a variable-rate loan or remain constant with a fixed-rate loan..
Private education loans are regulated under the federal Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA); these loans are not issued, insured, or guaranteed by the federal government. Federal student loans may offer more favorable terms and protections than private education loans, including flexible repayment options, deferment opportunities, and loan forgiveness programs.
While it is ultimately up to students to determine the best means for themselves to pay for their education, CT State strongly encourages students to:
- Complete the FAFSA Application to determine eligibility for federal loan options.
- Compare federal and private (alternative) loans to determine the best way to finance their education.
Students who have questions regarding private education loans are encouraged to contact the financial aid office directly.
Finding Lenders
CT State will process private education loans for any lender selected by the student; the college does not recommend, endorse, or maintain a preferred lender list for any specific lender. In administering private education loans, CT State adheres to a student loan code of conduct.
How Much Can I Borrow?
A private education loan lender may approve you for a higher amount based on factors such as your credit history, income, and debt obligations. However, CT State must certify the loan before it can be finalized, and the certified amount cannot exceed your cost of attendance. Your cost of attendance is largely determined by the number of financial aid eligible classes you are enrolled in during the loan period.
Private Loan Certification
A private education loan certification request is sent to CT State after the lender has approved the loan and provided the required disclosures. CT State then reviews the student’s account to confirm eligibility requirements, which may include enrollment status, cost of attendance, and academic standing, before certifying the loan.
CT State is required to provide the Private Loan Self-Certification Form to students who may be interested in borrowing a private education loan, however this form is also available from private education loan lenders.
Disbursement of Funds
The Higher Education Opportunity Act regulations require lenders to provide borrowers with a minimum three-business day right-to-cancel period and an additional three business days for the borrower to receive the final disclosure. Lenders will not disburse your funds until they have received all required documents, disclosures, and borrower signatures.
The disbursement process begins once the lender releases funds to the college; funds sent electronically may take up to three business days to be received while paper checks will take longer. Once CT State has received your loan funds, there may be an additional 2-4 days of processing before funds are posted to the student account. Credit balance refunds resulting from private education loan proceeds will be processed within 14 business days of loan disbursement.
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Financial Literacy
ECMC
We believe that each CT State student should feel financially empowered through financial literacy. Financial Literacy involves understanding the basics of budgeting, interest rates, how to save money, and how to avoid credit-debt cycle traps. We want our students to feel they have the skills and knowledge to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources. We want you to have the tools to not just afford your education, but all of the life that surrounds it.
Through our partnership with ECMC, all CT State students have access to ECMC Learning, a web-based and mobile-ready platform that offers:
- Personalized learning with relevant courses and real-time feedback
- An easy-to-navigate library of learning resources
- Methods to measure financial health
- Recommendations with calculators and individualized money management assessments
- Exploratory information around the cost of loan borrowing, setting financial goals, and exploring careers
Create and Register Your Account
Financial Avenue
CT State has partnered with Inceptia to provide you with free access to Financial Avenue, an online financial wellness program designed to help you build confidence in managing your money.
To Access Financial Avenue
Through interactive courses and practical resources, Financial Avenue makes personal finance easier to understand and apply to everyday life. Whether you're learning how to budget, manage spending, build credit, or plan for future financial goals, Financial Avenue provides the tools and guidance to help you make informed financial decisions and achieve long-term financial success.
You will have access to ten online courses that will help you take on big financial topics, including:
- Psychology of Money
- Foundations of Money
- College and Money
- FAFSA
- Loan Guidance
- Earning Money
- Credit and Protecting Your Money
- Spending and Borrowing
- Debt and Repayment
- Future of Your Money
- Click the registration link and create your account:
CT State Financial Aid REGISTRATION LINK - Check your email and click the activation link you receive to the email address you supplied.
You must activate your account before you can access Financial Avenue. - After activating your account, your courses will be available the following day.
- The next day, after the account has been activated, use this login link to access your courses.
Financial Avenue | Student login
Important: Course access is not immediate. After completing your registration and activating your account, allow until the following day for your courses to appear.
If you have questions, contact your home campus Financial Aid Office.
For questions or support issues:
Inceptia Client Success
888.529.2028 x6306
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Transfer Connection Agreements
Explore partnerships between CT State and independent colleges and universities. Students interested in transferring to partner institutions will have strong opportunities to advance their education across Connecticut and beyond.
Explore Partnerships
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Coming Fall 2026
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As part of this agreement:
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Merit Scholarships ranging from $18,000 to $32,000 per year for students with an associate’s degree
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Albertus awards transfer credit for courses in which a student earned a grade of 2.0 or higher
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Albertus will accept transfer credits beyond the associate degree, up to a maximum of ninety (90) credits in total, for excess coursework completed at a regionally accredited four-year institution
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Additional Grant and Award Opportunities:
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The Catherine DeRicci Honors Program Award of $2,000 for students who are accepted to and participate in the College’s Honors program
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The Pillar PTK award of $1,000 per year for students with Phi Theta Kappa membership
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The St. Dominic Award of up to $3,000 per year for specified extra-curricular activities
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The Residence Grant of $4,000 per year for resident students who live at least 15 miles from the College
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Coming Fall 2026
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Mitchell College will support CT State transfer students through coordinated academic advising, early transfer planning, transparent degree mapping, individualized review of remaining requirements, access to academic and student support services, applicable financial aid, and opportunities for engagement in the Mitchell College campus community.
As part of this agreement:
- CT State students will have access to a designated Mitchell College transfer advisor who will assist with preliminary degree planning, transfer credit questions, and identification of remaining degree requirements.
- Mitchell College offers generous merit scholarships to qualified CT State transfer students, up to $20,000 annually, renewable for up to three years of consecutive, full-time enrollment.
- Mitchell College encourages CT State transfer students to visit campus. There's no better way to know if Mitchell is the right fit to continue your education than by experiencing campus. Students who complete an official campus visit qualify for the Mariner Visit Grant, worth up to $3,000 over three years ($1,000/year).
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GPA Range for Merit Awards
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Coming Fall 2026
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Sacred Heart University will support CT State transfer students through coordinated academic advising, early transfer planning, transparent degree mapping, individualized review of remaining degree requirements, access to academic and student support services, applicable financial aid, and opportunities for engagement in the Sacred Heart University campus community.
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As part of this agreement:
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SHU will accept up to 66 transfer credits from CT state. Students must fulfill all program and degree requirements as set by SHU. Credits beyond the 66 that count towards the completion of an academic program, will be evaluated on an individual basis.
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CT State students who complete their Honors Program requirements and otherwise meet eligibility for transfer will be considered for admission to the SHU Honors Program.
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Students enrolling on a full-time basis (12 or more credits per semester) will be eligible for consideration of a 50% tutition reduction (CT State Community Colleges / SHU grant)*
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CT State students will be provided with the opportunity to enroll in a Transfer Year Experience course with their initial transfer advisor, which provides access to teaching assistants (former transfer students) to support their transition to SHU.
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Intercollegiate athletic scholarships may be offered in addition to the above partnership scholarship/grant awards. Such scholarships are solely determined by SHU’s head coaches and managed by SHU’s Office of Student Financial Assistance.
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and more!
*More details on this financial benefit should be discussed with a SHU Transfer Advisor.
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The University of New Haven (UNH) provides a seamless transfer opportunity for eligible CT State graduates with guaranteed admission to participating programs. Students who earn an associate degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 can take advantage of this direct pathway to completing their bachelor's degree at the University of New Haven.
As part of this agreement:
- The application fee will be waived for students who earn a CT State associate degree
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Guaranteed admission (with select program exclusions)
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Transfer pathways that help eliminate credit loss
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And much more!
GPA Range for Merit Awards
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Learn More About The UNH Transfer Connection Agreement
Notes:
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Students must enroll in the transfer program before completing 12 credits towards their associate's degree at CT State
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Students whose ultimate interest is transferring to UNH should consider enrolling in the UNH/CT State Dual Enrollment program, which also includes:
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One UNH on-campus course per year, tuition-free while enrolled as a student at CT State
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UNewHaven ID cards that allow admission to numerous campus events and the library
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Housing options
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and much more!
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Coming Fall 2026
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CT State students who transfer to the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) may receive merit awards based on their current grade point average. The award amounts are annual and will be split evenly between the fall and spring semesters.
CT State students who are in their final semester before graduation and plan on enrolling at USJ are encouraged to take one free course at USJ prior to graduation.
As part of this agreement:
- The application fee will be waived for students who earn a CT State associate degree
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Students with a completed associate degree will be guaranteed enrollment with junior status
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Waived parking fee for commuting students
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And much more!
GPA Range for Merit Awards
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Coming Fall 2026
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The Worcester Polytechnic Institute has partnered with CT State to offer students opportunities for transfer.
As part of this agreement:
- Guaranteed Merit Scholarship: All admitted students receive a guaranteed academic merit scholarship, plus eligibility for a need-based Global Scholarship.
- Financial Aid and PTK Support: Qualification for the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship, need-based aid and federal student loans (subject to program terms and conditions).
- Free Summer Courses: A tuition waiver for one undergraduate summer course in each of two summers while enrolled at WPI (up to two courses total).
- Guaranteed Housing: WPI guarantees housing options for all transfer students.
GPA Range for Merit Awards
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