PACT
FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN CONNECTICUT
Did you know you may be able to attend CT State for free?
The Pledge to Advance CT (PACT) funding covers the gap between federal and state grants you receive and community college tuition and mandatory fees. To receive PACT funding, apply to CT State, register for classes (6+ credits), and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Entry into the program will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Qualify
- Connecticut High School Graduate
Be a Connecticut high school graduate (GED and home-schooled students qualify) - First-Time College Student
Be a first-time college student - Completed FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with an official Expected Family Contribution, which is used to package federal, state, and often institutional aid and accept all awards - Part-Time or Full-Time
Attend community college part- or full-time (6+ credits/semester) - Degree or Certificate Program
Enroll in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program - Good Academic Standing
Once enrolled, remain in good academic standing
Get Started
- Select a Campus
12 convenient locations and hundreds of areas of study - Apply for Admission
Apply online at your selected campus - Complete the FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with an official Expected Family Contribution, which is used to package federal, state and often institutional aid and accept all awards - Register for 6+ credits
Students must apply and register for 6+ credits - Maintain Good Academic Standing
Once enrolled, remain in good academic standing
FAQs
College credits completed prior to high school graduation will not exclude a student from participating in PACT.
To complete your FAFSA, go to studentaid.gov.
Any degree or certificate program that can use Title IV funding within 72 credits over 48 months is eligible. For example, you can go into Nursing, Culinary Arts, etc. Your campus Guided Pathways Advising office can help you choose.
At this time, PACT is only available for first-time, full- or part-time students (6+ credits) enrolling in an upcoming semester.
If you have a documented disability, we will work with you and your advisor to figure out the most credit hours that you'll be able to take for enrollment.
No. Applicants must only accept all grants (Pell and Roberta B. Willis)–not loans–before PACT funding becomes available.
No. Trade school and postsecondary school counts as prior enrollment, but we still encourage students to apply for admission as many other financial aid packages are available.
Under the law as it is currently written, yes.
Under the law as it is currently written, no.
Yes, as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Yes, there are multilingual representatives at each college to assist students and their families.
Eligibility for the PACT program is determined based on the eligibility criteria determined under Connecticut Public Act 19-117 and is expanded under Connecticut Public Act 22-118. Students who have lost the eligibility to participate have the right to an appeal. All appeals will be reviewed by the PACT Appeals Committee, and decisions will be made in writing to the student with a copy of the decision kept on file with the attending Financial Aid office.