Five Connecticut students have been named recipients of the 2019 Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund. Headed to college this coming fall, the students are the sixth class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the Fund. In addition, 15 current college students who received scholarships beginning in their freshman year will have the scholarship renewed for their upcoming sophomore, junior and senior year.

Established in 2013, the Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund assists outstanding high school seniors from Connecticut who plan to pursue postsecondary education. Each recipient is awarded a $1,500 scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned.

“The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund continues to be a way for me to both thank and give back to Connecticut by helping outstanding high school seniors go to college and pursue their dreams,” said former Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who established the award. “Higher education can provide the foundation for greater opportunity and making a difference in local communities and our nation. I am grateful to have the chance to support these students as they advance in their academic studies, and I share their families’ pride in their considerable accomplishment.”

This year, the Scholarship Fund received more than 200 applications from students attending 93 high schools in 73 cities and towns all across Connecticut. The review and evaluation of applications was completed by a selection committee at Scholarship America, based on factors including academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, and career and educational goals and objectives.

Among the 2018 recipients is Rachel Goldstein of East Lyme who served as class valedictorian. Goldstein is a winner of the U.S. Congressional Award Gold Medal, the President’s 1,000 Points of Light Volunteer Service Award, and the Connecticut High School Heisman Trophy. A National Merit Commended Scholar, she was captain of the Williams Cross-Country and Swim Teams and a nominated player of the U.S. Women’s National Lacrosse Team.

Other 2018 Lieberman Scholarship Fund recipients include: Madeleine Albee of Newtown, Simon O’Neil of Granby, Emma Sarantopoulos of Pomfret Center, and Elizabeth Varnum of Woodbury.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be United States citizens or permanent legal residents, be high school seniors who reside in and receive their high school education in Connecticut, plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year, have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), and demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a record of community service. The scholarship is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship and tuition assistance programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin, and scholarships will be awarded for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.

Applications for the 2019 scholarship will open on Feb. 1, 2019 and close on April 1, 2019. Additional information will be available at www.scholarshipamerica.org/joe-lieberman-scholars.

CAP: Rachel Goldstein