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Qualifications
Applicants must be:
    An entering or returning student at an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States and must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 hours).
    Pursuing a bachelor’s degree (BA, BS, BFA, BSN for example) for the first time. Students in one-year or two-year certificate or associate’s degree programs do not qualify. Students in five-plus year programs ending in a master’s degree or beyond may apply for the first four (undergraduate) years of their programs.
    A United States citizen or noncitizen who has a current lawful presence in the United States and a work permit.
    A permanent resident of a New England state: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont.
Academic Achievement
Applicants should:
    Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
    Be enrolled in a demanding course of study
    Demonstrate skilled writing
Financial Need
Qualifying applicants will have one or more of the following:
    Substantial unmet need
    Special financial circumstances
    Low EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the FAFSA Student Aid Report (In 2017, 74% of newly awarded recipients had EFCs less than $5,000 and 76% had parent AGIs below $80,000)
Citizenship, Character and Serious-Mindedness
Strong applicants would:
    Demonstrate a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society both present and future
    Be involved in a balance of community, school and work activities
    Pursue goals and aspirations with integrity, resolution, self-discipline and judgment
    Work part time
    Demonstrate leadership characteristics and/or assumed leadership positions
    Exhibit grit when faced with hardship