The UConn Foundation has received a $500,000 gift from The Hartford to provide housing scholarships for students in a new residence hall on Pratt Street in Hartford, set to open in fall 2026.

The gift underscores The Hartford’s commitment to making education accessible and affordable for local students. The scholarships will help ensure that students with financial need can access the new apartment-style housing, which will accommodate 200 students and mark a new chapter in UConn Hartford’s growth.

“I am deeply grateful to The Hartford for their generous gift to the UConn Hartford residence hall,” says Mark Overmyer-Velázquez, UConn Hartford’s campus dean and chief administrative officer. “This investment in our students is also an investment in Hartford’s future. Together we are helping to create a more vibrant, dynamic downtown where students can live, learn, and contribute to the city’s growth.”

The University is currently transforming a former law office at 64 Pratt Street into a vibrant residential space, creating a community-focused living experience for qualified students in the heart of Hartford.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with UConn Hartford – an institution that shares our commitment to the city we call home,” says The Hartford’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Claire Burns. “By supporting housing scholarships for students, we are removing financial barriers and providing students with greater access to opportunities. This gift not only supports students in their academic journey but also contributes to a more active and connected community.”

This is The Hartford’s second major gift to UConn in recent years. In 2021, the insurance company gave $1 million to create The Hartford Scholars Program, which provided financial support and mentoring for 50 UConn Hartford students.

The student housing support will help address a pressing need on the Hartford campus, where about 86 percent of students received some form of financial aid last year. Approximately 58 percent received federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to the neediest students.

In a survey, about 70% of UConn Hartford students said they would like student housing, but it would need to be affordable since many live with their parents.

UConn’s presence in Hartford continues to grow as the University deepens its ties with the capital city. This fall, the University will open a new café in the downtown campus in the former Hartford Times building. UConn also recently opened a research center near PeoplesBank Arena, formerly known as the XL Center.

Support the Hartford Residential Scholars Enhancement Fund.