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HARTFORD, Conn. — The UConn Foundation announced earlier this week that it received a monumental gift from one of the state’s most prominent insurance companies to help provide housing opportunities to UConn Hartford students.
The Hartford – a business founded in the city in 1810 – has extended $500,000 to offer students housing scholarships.
This will enable them to live in a new residence hall being built in Hartford on Pratt Street. The revamped building is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
The scholarships will allow students with financial needs to access the new apartment-style housing, which will be home to 200 scholars and represent a significant step in UConn Hartford’s growth.
UConn Hartford Campus Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Mark Overmyer-Velázquez expressed deep gratitude to those at The Hartford for their generosity.
“This investment in our students is also an investment in Hartford’s future,” Overmyer-Velázquez said. “Together, we are helping to create a more vibrant, dynamic downtown where students can live, learn and contribute to the city’s growth.”
UConn Hartford is in the process of turning the former law office at 64 Pratt St. into a residential dorm. The goal is to create a community-centered living experience for qualified students in the heart of the state’s capital city.
The Hartford’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Claire Burns said the company is proud to continue its partnership with UConn Hartford, noting that both entities are committed to the city they call home.
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“By supporting housing scholarships for students, we are removing financial barriers and providing students with greater access to opportunities,” Burns said. “This gift not only supports students in their academic journey but also contributes to a more active and connected community.”
This isn’t the first donation made by The Hartford to UConn over the past several years. In 2021, the company donated $1 million to establish The Hartford Scholars Program, which provides financial help and mentoring to 50 UConn Hartford students.
The Hartford’s support will address a critical need on UConn’s Hartford campus. Last year, approximately 86% of UConn Hartford students received some sort of financial aid.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, around 58% of UConn Hartford students received federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to those most in need.
A survey showed that around 70% of UConn Hartford students said they would like student housing, but only if it would be affordable. Many live with their parents.
These statistics underscore the importance of The Hartford’s gift to the university.
UConn Hartford is dedicated to deepening the university’s ties with the city. This fall, a new café will be opened in the downtown campus in the old Hartford Times building.
UConn also has opened a research center near PeoplesBank Arena, previously known as the XL Center.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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