Board of Regents Policy CT Finish Line Scholarship Program

The purpose of this policy is to set forth the Board of Regents for Higher Education’s (BOR) policies governing the implementation of the CT Finish Line Scholarship (Program), established pursuant to Public Act 25-168. This policy describes the policies and procedures that the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) institutions shall follow in administering the Program. Nothing in this policy precludes the development of additional administrative procedures necessary to carry out the Program, provided such procedures are consistent with statute, BOR policy, and applicable financial aid regulations. 

Pursuant to Public Act 25-168, the BOR is responsible for implementing a last-dollar scholarship program designed to support students who began their postsecondary education under Connecticut’s Debt-Free Community College Program (also known as the Mary Ann Handley Award and formerly known as the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program) and are continuing toward first bachelor’s degree completion at a CSCU four-year institution. Under this authority, the BOR is charged with establishing the rules, procedures, and operational requirements necessary to ensure consistent, equitable, and compliant administration of the Program across participating institutions. 

The Program builds upon the foundation established through the Debt-Free Community College Program and reflects the State’s continued commitment to reducing financial barriers along the full postsecondary pathway, from community college access through bachelor’s degree completion.

The goals of the Program are to: 

1. Reduce remaining financial barriers for students nearing bachelor’s degree completion.
2. Promote successful transfer and persistence from CT State Community College to CSCU’s four-year institutions.
3. Support timely and on-time degree completion.
4. Strengthen statewide workforce and educational attainment outcomes through increased bachelor’s degree completion. 

CSCU: Collectively, or singularly, any of the following institutions: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, Connecticut State Community College, and Charter Oak State College. 

Enrolled/Enrollment: A student is considered enrolled at an institution when they have applied, been accepted, and registered for courses at the institution. 

First-Come, First-Served Basis: The order in which a student finalizes all eligibility criteria, including FAFSA completion and enrollment, will determine their disbursement priority. Awards will be granted until funds are no longer available.

A. Program Benefit to Students

Beginning in Academic Year 2026, the Program provides last-dollar financial assistance to eligible students transferring from Connecticut State Community College to a CSCU four-year institution. 
Awards are available for fall and spring semesters only. Summer coursework is not eligible for Program funding. 

Awards are contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds and are administered in accordance with BOR policy and applicable financial aid regulations. 

1. Awards
   
   Program awards are made as last-dollar awards after all other sources of federal, state, and institutional grant aid have been applied. For the purposes of awarding the Program, student 
   loans, work-study programs, and financial assistance designated for non-tuition and fee expenses are not considered financial aid. 
   
   For each eligible term, a student’s Program award shall be the greater of:

   1. The unpaid portion of the student’s eligible institutional costs after all applicable grant aid has been applied; or
   2. The applicable minimum award amount, as defined below. 
      Minimum award amounts are established as follows:
       • $500.00 per semester for full-time students
       • $300.00 per semester for part-time students

   If the unpaid portion of eligible institutional costs exceeds the applicable minimum award, the student shall receive an award equal to the unpaid balance, subject to available funding. If the unpaid portion is less than the applicable minimum award, the student shall receive the minimum award amount. 
   
   Awards may be prorated or reduced if available funding is insufficient to fully fund all eligible students. Any excess credit balance on a student’s account resulting from a Program award shall be refunded in accordance with existing BOR policies and institutional refund procedures.
    

2. Eligible Institutional Costs
   
   Eligible institutional costs that may be covered under the Program include: 
   • Tuition 
   • Mandatory student fees required for enrollment 
   • Program-specific mandatory fees required for degree completion 

   Institutional costs not listed above are not eligible for coverage under the Program. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to: 
   • Purchased textbooks and supplies 
   • Housing and meal plans 
   • Transportation costs 
   • Optional fees and fines

B. Academic Program Requirements

Program awards may be applied to any undergraduate degree program identified by the institution as eligible for Title IV funding. Funding may not be applied to non-credit programs or programs deemed ineligible for participation in Title IV federal student aid programs. 

Academic program eligibility shall be determined in accordance with the institution’s active Program Participation Agreement (PPA) and Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) as validated by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Students may receive Program funding for up to seventy-two (72) total earned credits or until the student earns a first bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first, consistent with statutory authorization and Program requirements. 

C. Eligibility Requirements

1. Initial Eligibility
   
   To be eligible for the Program, students must meet all of the following criteria:
   1. Residency
      Must be a Connecticut resident as defined by Connecticut General Statutes §10a-29.
   2. Associate Degree Completion
      Must have earned an associate degree from Connecticut State Community College in fall 2025 or later.
   3. Transfer and Enrollment
      Must enroll at a CSCU four-year institution in a degree-seeking program and be registered at least part-time, defined as six or more credits, in an eligible term.
   4. Debt Free Community College / Mary Anne Handley / PACT Participation
      Must have participated in the Debt Free Community College / PACT / Mary Anne Handley award program for each academic term in which the student was enrolled while earning the associate degree, as documented by Connecticut State Community College.
   5. Eligible Program
      Must be enrolled in an academic program meeting the requirements outlined in the Academic Program Requirements section of this policy.
   6. FAFSA Completion
      Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) sufficient to determine eligibility for federal aid. This must be completed annually to maintain eligibility.
   7. Aid Acceptance
      Must accept all available federal and state grant aid and/or institutional aid for which the student is eligible.
   8. Compliance with Requirements 
      Must satisfy all financial aid and Program requirements by the applicable Connecticut State University census date for the term or required reporting date for Charter Oak State College, as applicable.
   9. Funding Availability 
      Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee receipt of a Program award. Program awards are contingent upon fund availability and are made on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are no longer available.
       
2. Notification and Application Process
   
   Eligible students will be issued a Letter of Eligibility. The Letter of Eligibility will be transmitted to the student’s current email address on file with CT State Community College.
   1. To participate in the program, the student must:
      1. Apply for admission to the Connecticut State University or Charter Oak State College of their choice; and
      2. Upload the Letter of Eligibility in accordance with the receiving institution’s established submission process.
   2. Submission of the Letter of Eligibility is a mandatory requirement for Program participation. Failure to upload the Letter of Eligibility will render the student ineligible to receive Program funds.
   3. Application fees and enrollment deposits, excluding housing, shall be waived for all eligible students applying under this policy.
       
3. Returning Qualifying Students
   
   To remain eligible for the Program, returning students must continue to meet the following eligibility criteria, including enrollment and filing a FAFSA:
   1. Complete a Renewal FAFSA. A completed Renewal FAFSA is defined as one that fully determines a student’s eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, including an Official Student Aid Index. The completed FAFSA is used to offer federal, state, and often institutional aid. The student must accept all financial aid grants.
   2. Complete All Requirements. Students must satisfy all financial aid and Program requirements by the applicable CSU institution’s census date for the term and required reporting date as applicable for Charter Oak State College.
   3. Part-Time Enrollment. Students must be enrolled for 6 or more credits at a CSCU 4-year institution. All registered courses must fulfill a requirement in the student’s declared program of study.
   4. Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy for determining financial aid eligibility, as approved by each of the individual CSCU institutions.
       
4. Removal of Students from the Program
   
   Students shall be removed from participation in the Program upon failure to continually meet any of the eligibility requirements. 
   
   Examples of such instances include, but are not limited to, failing to file a FAFSA, failing to complete FAFSA verification requirements, not meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements, enrolling less than part-time (six credits) in any fall or spring semester, or moving out of state. 

D. Student Appeals

The appeals process under the Program applies only to continuing students who have previously received a Program award and are seeking to maintain eligibility in a subsequent term. Appeals are intended to address documented extenuating circumstances that prevent an otherwise eligible continuing student from meeting specific Program requirements. 

Appeals are not available to students seeking initial entry into the Program. Appeals related to funding availability, award exhaustion, Program design, or the first-come, first-served nature of the Program are not eligible for consideration.

1. Consideration for Appeals 
   
   Appeals may be considered on a case-by-case basis for continuing students who are unable to meet ongoing Program requirements due to documented extenuating circumstances. 
   
   Circumstances that may be considered include, but are not limited to: 
   • Documented medical emergencies affecting the student 
   • Documented personal or family emergencies 
   • Enrollment at less than part-time in the student’s final semester prior to bachelor’s degree completion 
   • Program-specific enrollment limitations that restrict course availability in a given term
   
   Appeals will not be granted for circumstances related to late registration, failure to complete financial aid requirements by established deadlines, loss of funding availability, or the order in which eligibility was established.
    

2. Appeals Process
   
   Each CSCU four-year institution shall administer appeals locally through the institution’s Financial Aid Office. 

   Continuing students seeking an appeal must submit a written appeal using the institution’s designated appeal process by the established deadline for the applicable term. Appeals must include supporting documentation sufficient to substantiate the extenuating circumstance. 

   Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to: 

   • Medical documentation from a licensed provider 
   • Documentation of a personal or family emergency 
   • Verification from an academic department regarding final-semester enrollment status or Program-specific enrollment limitations 
   • Other documentation needed on a case-by-case basis

   Appeals shall be reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid or designee, or by an institutional appeals committee consistent with institutional practice.
    

3. Appeals Outcome
   
   Appeal outcomes shall be communicated to the student in writing. Appeal determinations are contingent upon the availability of funding. Approval of an appeal restores Program eligibility for the applicable term only and does not guarantee receipt of funding. Any award resulting from an approved appeal remains subject to fund availability and the first-come, first-served awarding structure of the Program. 
   
   The decision of the Director of Financial Aid, or designee, shall be final. There is no further appeal beyond the institutional level. 

E. Accessibility

Otherwise qualifying students with documented disabilities that are unable to satisfy the minimum enrollment requirement and are seeking participation in the Program must contact the CSCU institution’s designated disability/accessibility services coordinator. Based on an individualized assessment and existing disability accommodation policies and procedures, the institution’s designated disability/accessibility services coordinator will work with the student and the student’s academic advisor to determine the maximum number of credit hours that are feasible for the qualifying student with a disability(ies) to complete in a covered semester. The institution’s disability/accessibility services coordinator is responsible for evaluating and documenting the outcome of the requested accommodations for eligibility in the Program and communicating it to the Director of Financial Aid. 

F. Payments and Refunds 

Students who are recipients of a Program award shall have the award disbursed to their account in accordance with the regular disbursement schedule of all other financial aid awards. 

Students who have paid for fall and/or spring semester tuition and required fees and then receive a Program award, including students who receive a minimum award, shall be entitled to a refund of their excess credit balance. Any available credit balance on the student’s account resulting from a Program award shall be refunded in accordance with institutional practice or procedures. 

Program awards shall only be made if funds are available and may be pro-rated or reduced if there is insufficient funding to make full awards to all eligible students. 

G. Treatment of Other College Credit

1. Earned credits at a previous institution 

   All Program participants must be enrolled at a CSCU four-year institution for minimum credit hours to be eligible for the Program. Credits accepted from previous institutions, such as credits earned in a dual-enrollment program prior to high school graduation, or credits earned at another college are not applicable toward each semester’s minimum enrollment status.
    

2. Earned credits at current matriculated institution

   Students shall only receive Program funding from the institution in which they are matriculating and for credits that they are enrolled in at that institution. Limited exceptions, including those related to active military deployment, may apply and will be determined by the individual institutions on a case-by-case basis.

H. Reporting, Program Compliance, and Evaluation

1. Reporting 
   
   The CSCU System Office, in coordination with participating CSCU four-year institutions, shall be responsible for collecting, reviewing, and reporting data related to the implementation and outcomes of the Program. Reporting shall support statutory compliance, fiscal oversight, Program evaluation, and future policy and funding decisions. 

   The timeline, format, and submission requirements for all reporting shall be determined by the CSCU System Office in consultation with participating institutions. Institutions shall submit required data in accordance with System Office guidance and deadlines. Assistance shall be provided by the CSCU Decision Support and Institutional Research (DSIR) Office when necessary. Data shall be standardized to ensure consistency, comparability, and accuracy across institutions. 

   At a minimum, reporting shall include the following elements, disaggregated by institution and academic term, as applicable:

   1. The number of students determined to be eligible for the Program.
   2. The number of applications received for the Program.
   3. The number of students who received a Program award.
   4. The number of students receiving minimum awards and non-minimum awards.
   5. The average and median award amounts.
   6. The number of credits attempted and completed by participating students at the reporting institution.
   7. Persistence of participating students from term to term (beginning Spring 2027).
   8. Bachelor’s degree completion rates of participating students (when available).
   9. Time-to-degree metrics for participating students (when available).
   10. Demographic characteristics of participating students, consistent with state and federal reporting requirements.
   11. The amount of unused or reallocated funds, if applicable.
        

2. Program Compliance
   
   During the reporting process, CSCU four-year institutions will perform quality assurance reviews to determine all Program funds were applied in accordance with state law and all related policies adopted by the BOR. 

   Students found to have received a Program award because of an error by the respective institution shall have the award rescinded from their account and replaced with institutional funds at no detriment to the student. 
    

3. Program Evaluation
   
   On an annual basis, the CSCU shall review the outcomes of the Program to evaluate its effectiveness. 
   In addition, within one year of Program operation and periodically thereafter, CSCU shall review the impact on affordability and access for various groups of students for whom achievement gaps have been identified within the system. That review shall include policy recommendations to the BOR, as needed.

I. Allocation of Program Funds

1. Allocation Methodology 
   
   For the first year of implementation, Program funds shall be allocated to participating institutions based on each institution’s proportionate share of transfer students from Connecticut State Community College during the most recently completed academic year. This methodology is intended to provide a reasonable and data-informed basis for distributing funds at program launch, prior to the availability of Finish Line–specific participation data. 
   
   Beginning in the second year of implementation, allocations shall be informed by actual Program applications received by each 4-year CSCU Institution during the prior academic year. This approach will allow allocations to more accurately reflect emerging enrollment and participation patterns and support ongoing program refinement.
    
2. Additional Allocation Considerations
   
   In determining institutional allocations, the CSCU System Office shall account for differences in tuition and mandatory fee structures across participating institutions. Because Charter Oak State College assesses significantly lower tuition and fees than the CSCU state universities, allocation calculations shall incorporate a cost-based adjustment to ensure that funds are distributed equitably and in proportion to expected per-student financial need. 
   
   The specific cost-weighting methodology used to account for these differences shall be developed by the System Office in consultation with, and subject to agreement by, the participating institutions. The methodology may be updated as needed to reflect material changes in institutional pricing or participation patterns.

J. FERPA

Any data transfers required to facilitate this program must be shared consistent with CSCU’s FERPA policy and applicable federal and state law. The CSCU System Office must enter into any agreements necessary, including inter-institutional delegations of authority, to ensure compliance. 

K. Data Security

Any data sharing agreements entered pursuant to this policy must ensure that:

• The data shared is limited to the extent possible; 
• The receiving institution is responsible for protecting the data from further disclosure; 
• The data is used only for the purpose of facilitating the Program; 
• The data is returned to the originating institution or destroyed when it is no longer needed to facilitate the Program.

APPENDIX A: PROGRAM CALENDAR

The following activity schedule is designed to assist in overall operation of the Program: 

April - Outreach activities/Eligibility Letters Shared 

May - Outreach activities continued; fund appropriation made 

June - Outreach Activities Continued 

July - Outreach Activities Continued 

August - Awarding 

September - Award finalization and disbursement for fall registration 

October - Outreach activities 

November - Program Reporting; FAFSA Month preparation 

December - FAFSA Month 

January - Awarding 

February - Award finalization and disbursement for winter/spring registration 

March - Program Reporting; Outreach activities