06/23/2026
The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) proudly announces its support of students enrolled in two medical programs at CT State Quinebaug Valley. Thanks to a generous $30,000 grant from the Scripps Family Fund for Education and the Arts (SFFEA), the NCEF will divide the funds equally to cover costs for both the Quinebaug Valley Allied Health and Practical Nursing programs, addressing unmet needs that can present financial barriers for students to complete their studies.
The funds applied to the Allied Health program will be used to support Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) and Medical Assistant (MA) students. Many of these students work full-time while enrolled as part-time students. The funds will assist returning students by covering costs for mandatory items, such as background checks, licensure exams, and textbook costs. These costs are not covered by Financial Aid and can prevent students from graduating and securing a full-time job with benefits. Starting salaries for MLT positions typically range between $58K-$63K per year, with the MA starting salary ranging between $41K-$46K. This can be life changing for these students in their continuing healthcare education journey.
Now entering its second year, the Practical Nursing certificate at CT State Quinebaug Valley is an intensive four semester (14-month) in-person program. The SFFEA funds will support both students who need books at the start of the program and those who will successfully complete their course work in August 2027 but do not have the funds to register for licensure exams. Students who successfully complete the program and become Licensed Practical Nurses can start working at approximately $63K per year. The salary differential from part-time minimum wage to full-time salary with benefits is one part of a transformative difference this program can achieve.
The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education. To learn more about the NCEF, visit www.necteducationfoundation.org.
