Partner-college matching scholarships
The Foundation and the college each fund part of the award, most on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Most awards are capped at tuition and fees. Current amounts for each college are listed on the Foundation's website.
College Scholarships for Kolbe Seniors
The Deeley Foundation Scholarship
Four-year college scholarships for Kolbe Cathedral seniors from The Thomas and Elsie Deeley Foundation, which chose Kolbe as a partner school in 2025. Applications are open now and close December 31.
Class of 2027 application deadline
Applications received after midnight on December 31 are not considered.
At a Glance
What Kolbe seniors need to know.
- Who can apply
- Kolbe Cathedral seniors headed to a two- or four-year college or university
- Award length
- Four years, renewed each year the student stays on track
- Any-college award
- Up to $12,000 a year from the Foundation ($48,000 over four years)
- Partner colleges
- 14 colleges match the Foundation's award, most dollar-for-dollar
- How to apply
- One online application on the Foundation's website covers every scholarship type
- Deadline
- December 31, every year
About the Foundation
A helping hand, four years long.
The Thomas and Elsie Deeley Foundation is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1996 by the Deeleys' son Ted, his wife Gayle, and his sister Donna. Thomas and Elsie were longtime Waterbury, Connecticut residents: he was a tool setter at Scovill Manufacturing, she raised their children and volunteered widely, and neither attended college. They sacrificed so their own children could, and the Foundation continues that legacy by helping high school seniors who can get into college or a trade school but lack the money to attend. Kolbe Cathedral became the Foundation's partner high school in Bridgeport in June 2025.
$2.7M+
awarded since 1996
97%
of recipients graduate college
14
partner colleges that match awards
$30K+
average four-year award
How to apply
Five steps, one deadline.
- Step 1
Complete the online application
Everything is submitted on the Foundation's website: your activities, honors, work experience, and community service listed by year; your first-choice college and major; parent or guardian information; and four short essays. Write the essays yourself. The Foundation screens for AI-written essays and removes any applicant whose essay fails that check.
- Step 2
Line up two recommendations
At least one must come from a Kolbe teacher. Once you submit and receive the Foundation's confirmation email, the Guidance Office sends your recommendations and transcript directly to the Foundation.
- Step 3
Apply Early Action and file the FAFSA
To be considered for a partner-college matching scholarship, apply to those colleges under non-binding Early Action and complete the FAFSA (some colleges also ask for the CSS Profile). Your counselor can help with both.
- Step 4
Watch for the confirmation email
The Foundation emails an acknowledgment within 24 hours and a copy of your application. If nothing arrives within five days, your application was not received: tell the Guidance Office right away.
- Step 5
Interview in the spring
Fifteen to eighteen finalists are interviewed, usually in March or early April. Interviews are remote, run 20 to 25 minutes with three or four interviewers, and focus on your essays and activities. Decisions follow within a few weeks.
How recipients are chosen
Seven factors, weighed equally.
The Foundation weighs seven factors equally and says it does not necessarily pick the top students in the class. Only about a third of past recipients ranked in the top 10%. It never asks applicants for financial information; financial need is one factor among seven.
- Community involvement
- Academic accomplishments
- Work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Financial need
- College goals
- Personal interview
Two kinds of scholarships
Matched by a partner, or good anywhere.
You do not apply for a specific scholarship. Every applicant is considered for whichever type fits the colleges they apply to.
Any college, university, trade, or vocational school
Up to $12,000 a year from the Foundation with no match required, for any two- or four-year college or university. Connecticut state-certified trade and vocational programs of 18 months or more are considered case by case.
Partner colleges
- Albertus Magnus College
- Boston College
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Fairfield University
- Quinnipiac University
- Sacred Heart University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- Stonehill College
- Trinity College
- University of Bridgeport
- University of Hartford
- University of Massachusetts
- University of New Haven
- University of Saint Joseph
Award amounts and matching terms differ by college and are set by each agreement. See current amounts on the Foundation's website.
Keeping the scholarship
- Stay a full-time student (12 or more credit hours a semester).
- Keep a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (2.8 for partner-college scholarships).
- Send the Foundation your grades and financial-aid award letter each year.
- Funds go straight to your college and appear as a credit on your bill. Payments are split by semester.
On the Foundation's website
Questions for the Foundation
For questions about Kolbe recommendations and transcripts, ask your counselor in Guidance. For questions about the scholarship itself, contact the Foundation.
- Ted DeeleyManaging Director
- (352) 422-1221
- Debbie Deeley RandallManaging Director
- (703) 307-9299
Seniors: Start Here
Apply by December 31.
The application lives on the Foundation's website. Your Kolbe counselor can help you plan your essays, line up recommendations, and send your transcript.