Scholarships

BCYL is proud to offer five distinct undergraduate college scholarships, each designed to support the educational aspirations of our students. Below are the details of each scholarship, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines.

Description: BCYL offers a one-time contribution towards qualified students’ tuition. The amount of this contribution is contingent upon BCYL’s fiscal condition and market dynamics. This contribution is made directly to the educational institution on behalf of the student.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be attending or entering a two- or four-year accredited college/university in the same academic year as a full-time student.
• Must be accepted and enrolled at the designated college/university.

Description: The Miguel Ayala Scholarship is a transformative opportunity for current and former Bassick, Central, and Harding High School students in the Bridgeport Public School system. This scholarship, established to honor Miguel Ayala’s legacy of community service and leadership, supports eligible BCYL participants in pursuing higher education, trade school, or career training programs.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Eligibility: Applicants must be 22 or younger, with a minimum of three years of participation in a BCYL program and a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Purpose: Provides financial assistance strictly for tuition costs, distributed evenly across fall and spring semesters.
• Requirements: Includes full-time enrollment, volunteer commitment with BCYL, letters of recommendation, and an essay submission.
• Impact: Designed to empower students to achieve their academic and professional goals.
  Celebrate the legacy of Miguel Ayala while taking a step toward a brighter future. Apply today to join the ranks of scholars inspired by his commitment to community and leadership

Description: This scholarship provides an annual contribution towards a qualified student’s undergraduate degree tuition for up to four years. Funds are distributed evenly across the fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be attending or entering a four-year accredited college/university in the same academic year as a full-time student.
• Must maintain continuous full-time enrollment without breaks.
• Required to sign a waiver allowing the release of academic information to BCYL upon request.

Description: A Trustee Scholarship, valued up to $20,000 per year for up to four years, is awarded to eligible students. This scholarship cannot be combined with other grants or scholarships from the University of Bridgeport.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 12th-grade student or a community college graduate entering the University of Bridgeport in the same academic year
• Must meet UB’s academic requirements to maintain the scholarship.

Description: Eligible BCYL students receive a tuition reduction of 50% at SHU. If a student’s SHU merit-based grants/scholarships amount to a 50% reduction, SHU will offer a BCYL-SHU Grant of up to $2,500, matched by BCYL.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have a GPA of 3.0 or greater in the same academic year.
• Must be accepted as a full-time undergraduate student at SHU.

Description: ECSU will match the BCYL College Scholarship award amount up to $2,500, subject to financial aid regulations. Scholarships are awarded annually and distributed evenly across semesters.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 12th-grade student or community college graduate entering ECSU in the same academic year
• Must meet BCYL and ECSU academic requirements each school year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum three-year participation in a BCYL program.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA or higher based on the designated school’s requirements.
• Good standing with BCYL.
• Commitment to contribute a minimum of 20 volunteer hours with BCYL annually.