A new scholarship program for Hartford women who attend or plan to attend Capital Community College is available for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The Widows Society, a volunteer, philanthropic organization established in 1825, has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Capital Community College Foundation to provide scholarships for women for whom “this help will make a significant difference in their ability to move forward in their lives.”

Eligible applicants for the Widows Society Scholarships will be single women of any age, living in Hartford, who are heads of their households or self-supporting. The scholarship is open to new or continuing students enrolled at Capital on a part- or full-time basis who demonstrate financial need.

Capital Community College, located in the center of Hartford, is a public, open-door educational institution granting associate degrees and certificates in more than 60 programs of study. Forty percent of current credit students reside in Hartford and three-quarters of first-time, degree-seeking students qualify for some form of financial aid. Tuition and fees total $520 for a three-credit course and $3,810 for one year of full time study. Capital enrolls 6.500 students annually in academic and continuing education programs at its Main Street campus, formerly the G. Fox & Company Department Store.

The Widows Society is one of the Hartford area’s oldest philanthropic organizations with a primary purpose of helping single women in Hartford address basic needs for housing, medical care, food and other necessities.

The College’s nonprofit Foundation maintains scholarship funds and endowments and seeks support for programs and initiatives to improve academic quality, campus life and expand educational opportunity

“This gift means more opportunities for Hartford women who otherwise would not be able to attend college,” said CCC Foundation Chairman David Seder. “We are grateful to The Widows Society for helping more women in Hartford gain access to a post-secondary education that is important to sustainable jobs and careers.”

Widows Society Scholarship Applications are available from the Capital Community College Office of Financial Aid, 950 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103 Telephone: (860) 906-5090, E-mail: CA-finaidhelp@capitalcc.edu . The deadline is August 25th. Classes for the Fall Semester begin Wednesday, September 3rd.