Author: Susan Breault

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian announced that interest in the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT), Connecticut’s tuition and fee free community college program, has been strong, with more than 2,200 students receiving $2.5 million in grant awards through the July 15 deadline for priority consideration. These qualified students will owe no out-of-pocket tuition or mandatory fees to attend one of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges.

More than half – those whose tuition and fees are already covered by existing federal, state, and institutional funding – will receive the minimum grant of $250 for educational expenses.

“While it might not sound like a lot, that $250 grant will make a real difference to our poorer students, many of whom are students of color, who all too often face nearly insurmountable obstacles – from childcare, to food insecurity, to unreliable transportation – to obtaining a degree,” President Ojakian said.

As previously announced, the community colleges will continue to accept applications for PACT for the fall semester on a first come, first served basis. Students who enroll now will receive priority in the order in which they are received, within available funding. CSCU plans to award at least an additional $1 million in PACT scholarships to eligible students.

“It is not too late for qualified students to attend college with no out-of-pocket expenses,” said Dr. David Levinson, interim president of Connecticut State Community College. “All potential college students should strongly consider a community college. With free community college and seamless transfer to our universities, students can earn even earn a four-year degree while saving tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a win-win, but potential students should not wait. Enroll today at ct.edu/pact.”

In order to qualify for PACT, potential students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduate of a public or private Connecticut high school (GED and homeschooled students qualify).
• Be a first-time college student (those who participated in dual enrollment programs while in high school are not excluded).
• Fill out FAFSA and accept all awards.
• Attend community college full-time (12 or more credits per semester).
• Enroll in classes today for first come, first served consideration.
• Participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program.
• Once enrolled, remain in good academic standing.

PACT is a last-dollar scholarship, so once students enroll in classes and complete all necessary financial aid documentation, including the FAFSA, PACT funding will be applied to their account.

LEARN MORE

Release July 27, 2020
Leigh Appleby, CSCU director of communications

Introduction to Machine Operator Program and Spring Credit Courses Resume On-Campus

Quinebaug Valley Community College closed campus on March 12th in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most QVCC classes were able to resume online the week of March 23, but hands-on courses needing lab time needed a different solution.  QVCC Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Steve LaPointe received approval for a phase one re-opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) by Connecticut State Colleges and Universities President Mark Ojakian in late May.  Using CDC guidelines, social distancing and safety precautions, the first group of students returned on June 2, and 12 students were able to complete their short-term training in Introduction to Machine Operator Program they began March 3.

The Introduction to Machine Operator Program, is a seven-week, 210 hour program through the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor-Workforce Innovation Fund in partnership with the CT Department of Labor and the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board.  This was the 21st Pipeline program run at QVCC.  The training supports the hiring demands for Electric Boat, Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (EAMA) and other manufacturers.  Mark Hill, interim president/CEO EWIB congratulated the students on their success, “Congratulations to QVCC and the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) students for completing the Machine Operator training program! Using on-line training and other creative options, they persevered in the training program in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The students acquired important skills which will help them in the job market in the future.”

On Monday June 8th, students who were enrolled in spring manufacturing courses started back at the lab to finish National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Credentials. Additional plans this summer include bringing Windham Early College Opportunity (ECO) students to campus starting July 6. ECO is a collaboration between QVCC and Windham High School, Willimantic, CT which provides a pathway of courses taught at Windham High School leading towards a QVCC certificate in Advanced Manufacturing.

LaPointe stated, “It is great to get up and running again at the College. The students in the Pipeline program were eager complete, as you can tell by their smiles (photo attached).” LaPointe also talked about the upcoming fall semester stating, “We will be running with half the capacity we normally run for a total of 24 students, dividing them between on-ground in the classroom and in the lab. Students who are interested in enrolling for fall should not delay.”

For additional information, contact Steve LaPointe, 860.932.4111 or slapointe@qvcc.edu.

May 22, 2020

Questions: please contact the Bursar’s office, Jen Hyatt

QVCC Students:
The recently enacted federal CARES Act includes a distribution of funds to institutions of higher education, including QVCC.  A significant portion of this funding will be reserved to provide students with grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to Covid-19.

***To avoid delays in receiving the grant, please consider immediately enrolling in direct deposit by following the link below or clicking on the “Direct Deposit” box directly on the homepage of MyCommnet. Please also review for the accuracy of your address and any direct deposit information already on file.

Please note the following important terms of the grant:

• This grant is to be used as direct assistance for expenses related to the disruption of your studies during the spring 2020 semester, such as: food, housing, materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.
• Even if you have an outstanding balance on your account, your grant will not be reduced.
•  This funding does not impact your financial aid award.

We are working as quickly as possible to process the funding, and we currently estimate the money to be disbursed in May, but the timing is subject to change. Students on direct deposit can expect the grant to be deposited sooner than those receiving checks.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

The QVCC Foundation to Support Summer Classes for Students

Free Professional Development for Local Businesses

QVCC  and The Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation are here for our students and for our community during this unprecedented pandemic that is impacting our state, our nation, and our world.

The QVCC Foundation will be providing the College with an additional $50,000 gift to support QVCC students during this crisis to help pay for summer courses.  With the emphasis on increased needs for healthcare workers, and the recognition that Spring classes and lives have been severely impacted, the Foundation asks that part of the grant be used to assist students wanting to take Phlebotomy/medical courses – Techniques in Phlebotomy, Law and Ethics for Health Care or Medical Terminology. The remainder of the $25,000 will be allocated to all other students. The money is only available to students who were registered for courses during the spring semester.  Monique Wolanin, director of institutional advancement, stated, “The QVCC Foundation extends our thanks to the hundreds of donors who believe in our mission and to the social service agencies in our communities who also support QVCC students. If you want to learn more about these funds, please contact the Financial Aid Office, Gloria Rivera or if you wish to learn more about the QVCC Foundation, please contact me.” Monique Wolanin can be reached at mwolanin@qvcc.edu .  Cindi Brassington, QVCC professor of allied health, is very appreciative of the Foundation stating, “The QVCC foundation’s generous gift will allow students to continue their healthcare training during the summer 2020 session.  The increased need of trained healthcare workers due to the global pandemic makes this gift vital not only to students but to our entire community.  Our community donors always come through to offer financial support to QVCC students, and for this I am deeply appreciative.”

Free Professional Development To aid in professional development opportunities, the QVCC Business and Industry Services department will be offering virtual workshops, free of charge, to the business community to help their employees while temporarily working from home.  The 10 workshops will include: Transitioning to Telework & Telecommuting, Virtual Team Building, Managing Remote High Performance Teams, Stress Management, Organizational Skills, Time Management, Self-Leadership, Goal Setting, Emotional Intelligence and Personal Productivity.  For more information contact Andrew Morrison, director of business and industry services.

March 27, 2020

Quinebaug Valley Community College is donating personal protective equipment and supplies to help front-line workers at Day Kimball Healthcare in their response to the surge of patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.

QVCC is providing the hospital with disposable gloves and gowns, lab coats, masks, and safety glasses.  The supplies come from the science department and certified nursing assistant, medical assisting, medical laboratory technician, and phlebotomy programs which are unable to run lab courses this spring.

“The College is happy to provide our community partner, Day Kimball Healthcare, with the supplies we are unable to use due to the closure of our physical locations,” said Rose R. Ellis, Ph.D, QVCC Campus CEO.

QVCC, along with all the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, transitioned to virtual learning as of March 23 for the remainder of the spring semester. College staff is telecommuting and available daily to assist current and future students for the summer and fall semesters.

March 18, 2020

QVCC Admissions is Here for You

Although the QVCC campus is closed, QVCC is actively processing applications for summer college and the fall semester.  If you have questions, please Email college admissions and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

1. Apply Online Now -There is NO APPLICATION FEE
2. You will receive your acceptance via your personal Email
3. After you receive your acceptance, you should mail or Email your additional requirements to the College
   1. *High school students* – We understand you may not have access to your in-progress high school transcripts at this time.  This will NOT delay your acceptance to the College. You can send or Email SAT and ACT scores if you have them.
   2. Basic Skills Assessment – As of March 18, we will not be holding assessment testing on-campus this spring. We are working towards a new solution and we will Email you with an update as soon as we have one.
4. Apply NOW for Federal Financial Aid – QVCCs school code 010530
   Additional tips for applying for Financial Aid

Additional Resources:

Accepted Student Checklist

QVCC Degrees and Certificates

QVCC Financial Aid

Update Friday, March 20, 2020

The QVCC Foundation has temporarily extended its Scholarship deadline (was March 13) .

QVCC Scholarship Information

Apply now and register starting November 4.

The College is offering an accelerated selection of online courses during winter break running January 2 – 15th. If you are not currently enrolled at QVCC, you can apply online until December 31, 2019.   There is no application fee.

This is ideal for a student who would like to catch up or get ahead with their studies.  For students currently attending another institution, we encourage confirmation of course transfer back to your home institution prior to registration.

Winter Intersession Academic Calendar

Released: October 16, 2019

Current and future students are encouraged to finalize their schedule for the fall semester.  The Danielson campus and our Windham Technical High School location have walk-in hours daily to assist students. To accommodate those who can’t make it to campus during the week, both locations will provide enrollment assistance on Saturday, August 10 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuition payment is due at time of registration.

Academic advisors will be on-hand to assist students with selecting a schedule, adding a course, changing their major or answering questions regarding completing their degree. Students, who want to transfer to QVCC from another University, are encouraged to bring their transcript and meet with an advisor. For students who need to complete the admissions process, apply in advance or on the spot; drop off your immunization records; schedule your assessment test or new student workshop, and meet with a financial aid advisor. For more information, please call the QVCC Student Success Center, 860.932.4020.

A Career in Advanced Manufacturing

On Saturday, August 10, the QVCC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center will be hosting an information session beginning at 9 a.m. at the Danielson campus. There are seats available in both two-semester certificates in Advanced Manufacturing Machine Technology or Mechatronics Automation Technician.  These programs provide internships, apprenticeships and boast a 95% job placement after graduation. Call Sandy Gould for additional information, 860.932.4178.

The fall semester begins Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.,m.

Quinebaug Valley Community College, in partnership with the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, will host its annual Veterans’ Stand Down, an event designed to give former service members assistance with benefits information, on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Danielson campus.

Beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a suicide prevention discussion in the Robert E. Miller Auditorium until 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the resource fair includes more than 50 community, health, government groups, veterans’ services groups, as well as representatives from the state Department of Labor, the American Legion and others.

For a second year, a fall prevention exposition organized by the Northeast District Department of Health will provide free health screenings for Veterans on a first-come, first-serve basis. The exposition is made possible by the Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention.

For additional information, contact Annie Hill at 860-932-4114 or ahill@qvcc.edu

Released: June 3, 2019