How to Apply
Step One: Sign Up For New Haven Promise (The Pledge Form)
Open to 7th through 11th grade students.
Visit app.newhavenpromise.org and go to “Start Your Application” section. Completing the pledge is highly recommended and it can be completed in a matter of minutes.
Step Two: Complete Senior Application By The DEC 23 Deadline
Open to high school seniors from October 1 to December 23.
Visit app.newhavenpromise.org. If you have pledged before, go to “Continue Your Application” section. If not, go to “Start Your Application” section.
Senior Application Timeline
Senior Year October 1
Senior application opens on app.newhavenpromise.org.
December 23
The DEADLINE to complete senior application and parent authorization.
(Passport to Promise and Pennington HBCU applicants must submit essays in the application)
December through February
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) unless you are unable to do so.
By April 1
The DEADLINE to complete 40 Promise-approved community service hours and log them on the servo.city portal. All proof of service documentations must be emailed to service@newhavenpromise.org.
February through May
Applicants are encouraged to email New Haven Promise upon receiving their financial aid packages to get Promise scholarship estimates.
February through May
Some applicants may see estimated scholarship amounts in their Albertus, ECSU, Quinnipiac, SCSU, UConn, UBridgeport, and UNewHaven financial aid packages. This pending information is provided for your reference only and should not indicate that you have qualified for New Haven Promise. Application results will be announced in July.
June
Finish the senior year strong and meet ALL Promise requirements.
Early July
Application result announcement: Once the school year has finished, Promise will review all your grades, absences, residence, enrollment, community service etc. to determine your eligibility. Students who meet all the requirements will receive an Award Packet with Scholarship Acceptance Form and next steps. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification.
July through August
Qualified applicant becomes a Scholar after returning the Scholarship Acceptance Form to Promise office and signing the online Memorandum of Understanding form (scholarship rules and regulations).
July through August
Pending scholarship amounts are posted to financial aid packages at most in-state colleges.
(Applies to in-state Scholars)
Mid to Late September
After add-drop period, Scholars are required to maintain full-time (at least 12 credits per semester) to receive Promise Scholarship.
(Applies to in-state Scholars)
Early October
Scholarships are disbursed to all in-state colleges for the fall semester.
(Applies to in-state Scholars)
Additional Steps for Pennington HBCU Applicants
- December through January
Apply to your Pennington HBCU colleges of interest ASAP. Students must be admitted to the HBCUs in order to receive the Pennington Scholarship. Select in ranked order your Pennington HBCU choices. - February through March
New Haven Promise will request a series of documents from candidates, including proof of residency, FAFSA completion and HBCU college of choice acceptance letters. - April 1
A finalist pool will be determined, and a committee will start deliberation to determine awardees. Students will have the last opportunity to finalize their rank-order of choices (must have proven acceptance into the HBCUs). - Mid April
The new cohort of Pennington fellows will be notified. - May through July
Fellows return the Pennington Acceptance Form to Promise office, provide proof of enrollment documents and sign the online Memorandum of Understanding form (scholarship rules and regulations). - July through September
Fellows send Award Certificates to HBCUs. Scholarships are disbursed to HBCUs according to the bill due dates.