CT SB00380

Establishes the Office of Postsecondary Success within the Department of Education, effective July 1, 2026, led by a Governor-appointed executive director to support students in postsecondary education and coordinate scholarship program information statewide.

Provides $3,000 annual grants per enrolled student to existing promise programs (scholarship programs with wraparound support services like mentoring and internships), with a goal of establishing 8 new promise programs by January 1, 2031, prioritizing alliance districts.

Creates the Scholar Success Grant Program for Connecticut high school graduates enrolling full-time in bachelor's degree programs, covering 24-40% of net costs at public institutions and 8-20% at private nonprofits, based on household income brackets ranging from $30,000 or less to over $110,000.

Requires participating institutions to enroll grant recipients in first-year experience programs, provide financial literacy training, issue transparent multiyear financial aid letters, and assign dedicated advisors from admission through graduation.

Appropriates $4.8 million for promise program grants and $30 million for the Scholar Success Grant Program from the General Fund for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.