MassMutual Gives 60 Scholarships

In an innovative partnership, UConn, Harford Public Schools and the MassMutual Foundation for Hartford Inc. are working together to bring 60 graduates from high school's throughout Hartford, who might not otherwise have the chance to attend a four-year university, to UConn.

On May 10, MassMutual announced their contribution of $584,000 to the new MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars Program.

This money will give financial aid to 15 incoming graduates from the urban public schools each year to cover four years (or eight semesters) of academic advising, tutorial fees, use of a laptop or desktop computer, and social support to enhance their overall college educational experience. The aid also includes, but is not limited to books, conference fees and study abroad fees. At the end of four years a cumulative total of 60 students will have been fully funded throughout their college academic career with the donations of MassMutual.

Along with that financial aid, the Student Support Services Program at UConn will guide the MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars through their four years. The students will also be introduced to the University in a six-week summer program right before their freshman year.

"That's a key part of it," said Terry D'Italia, spokesman for Hartford Public Schools. "They need the ongoing support. It is exactly what they need."

According to D'Italia, the school district has many students starting college, but because of a lack of support in both financial and academic aid, these students do not make it to graduation.

The program also helps UConn increase diversity on campus.

MassMutual left the selection of the scholarship recipients to the discretion of Hartford Public Schools and UConn.

According to Nick Fyntrilakis, director of community relations for MassMutual, MassMutual wanted the students to be in financial need and first-generation college students. By letting the schools decide, MassMutual "gave license to find the best fit students," Fyntrilakis said.

"The kids are selected by recommendation by their guidance counselors and school teachers in consultation with UConn," D'Italia said. They look for "potential to succeed at UConn and their high school progress."

luding through their MassMutual Academic Achievement Program, which encourages and supports academic achievement in the city's high schools, and its MassMutual Scholars Program, which provides $28,000 in college scholarships to 50 college bound students from the counties of Hartford and Hampden, Mass.

This MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars Program is a four-year initiative.

"We hope that it sets a model for others to follow suit ... that other companies see the success of this initiative and continue it," Fyntrilakis said. "Mass Mutual is very pleased to offer this program and to partner with Hartford Public Schools and UConn."

"We're especially proud of this new MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars Program because it was designed to fulfill a specific need in Hartford where so many students deserve the opportunity to continue their education at Connecticut's flagship university," Ronald A. Copes, executive director of the MassMutual Foundation, and corporate vice president of Community Relations for MassMutual, said in a press release.

"We've helped foster a culture of academic achievement in Hartford. By helping send 60 new students to UConn, we're taking the natural next step in opening doors to education," Copes said.

Last year, only 35 percent of Hartford high school graduates continued on to four-year colleges.

"This is an innovative and exciting program that gives Hartford students exactly what they need to succeed-opportunity. That opportunity is matched with financial assistance, hands-on academic support and even a computer-all important tools our youngsters need to succeed in college and in life," Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez said in a press release.

"I've always dreamed of going to UConn, but I never would have made it there without this kind of support," said Crystal Cruz, a MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholar from Hartford Public High School, in a press release. "I know some day I'll be back here talking to future students about how education made a difference in my life, and I'll always be grateful to MassMutual, UConn and the Hartford Public Schools for making it happen."