State Rep. John Piscopo Congratulates CHET Scholarship Award Winners

HARTFORD – State Rep. John Piscopo (R-76) congratulated Justin Packard of Burlington and Dayne Kepler of Thomaston, after they were each awarded a $2,500 Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) Advance Scholarship during a ceremony at the State Capitol last Wednesday.

“For many high school students, the dream to pursue higher education is often hindered because of cost,” Rep. Piscopo said. “It is my hope that this scholarship will help ease the financial burden for these students and make their dreams achievable.  I extend my congratulations to Justin and Dayne on their accomplishments, and I wish them much success in their future endeavors.”

Packard and Kepler were among two hundred Connecticut high school students who were awarded the first-ever CHET Advanced Scholarship.  Each student was awarded with a $2,500 grant through Treasurer Denise Nappier’s office.  The students were congratulated during a ceremony at the State Capitol on Wednesday after being chosen at random. According to Nappier’s office, 3,635 students applied – including students from 85 public high schools, 10 parochial high schools and three independent high schools in the state.

Almost half of the towns in Connecticut have at least one winner, and all eight counties are represented among the winners.

Students must begin college no later than September 2015, and use the full $2,500 scholarship by June 30, 2016.  Scholarship awards will be paid directly to students’ colleges starting in the fall of 2014.

About CHET

The Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) was established in 1997. Today the number of CHET 529 college savings accounts stands at 99,000 and total assets are more than $ 2.1 billion. Nearly $717 million in qualified withdrawals have been taken to cover college costs for 24,100 students.  For more information about CHET, visit www.aboutchet.com or call the customer service center at (866) 314-3939.

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