New Fox Family Scholarship Opens Doors for Stratford Students at UConn

Stratford Students Gain New Financial Pathway with Fox Family Scholarship

STRATFORD, CT — In a significant boost for local students, the Fox Family, in collaboration with Mayor David Chess, has announced the establishment of the Fox Family Scholarship, aimed at providing financial support for Stratford students accepted to the University of Connecticut (UConn). The fully funded scholarship endowment was unveiled on Thursday, February 19, marking a transformative opportunity for aspiring college students in the community.

The Fox Family Scholarship is designed to create a financial pathway for students who demonstrate financial need, academic merit, and a commitment to community engagement. Each year, one Stratford student will be awarded this scholarship, which is structured as a four-year commitment, ensuring sustained support throughout the recipient’s undergraduate education at UConn, contingent upon continued academic progress.

“Stratford has always been home for our family,” said Keith Fox, who announced the scholarship alongside his brothers, Curt and Craig. “Sports taught us discipline, teamwork, and accountability — lessons that carried into our careers. This scholarship reflects those values and our belief in supporting students who are willing to work hard, contribute to their community, and prepare themselves for meaningful careers.”

Mayor Chess expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are incredibly grateful to the Fox family. This scholarship will be life-changing for our students. The Fox scholarship makes the impossible possible. Unlocking education is the key.”

Bunnell High School Principal Katie Graf echoed this sentiment, highlighting the scholarship’s focus on resilience and community involvement. “The Fox Family Scholarship recognizes not only academic effort but also the character built through leadership, perseverance, and participation in athletics — qualities that prepare students for success well beyond the classroom,” she said.

Stratford High School Principal Jack Dellapiano also praised the initiative, emphasizing its broader impact. “This scholarship represents far more than financial assistance; it is a meaningful investment in the future of Stratford’s students,” he remarked. “By supporting students from both Stratford and Bunnell High Schools, the Fox family is opening doors of opportunity and affirming that education remains one of the most important pathways to growth, purpose, and success.”

The scholarship is both need-based and merit-based, requiring recipients to qualify for a Pell Grant while recognizing academic effort, resilience, leadership, and community involvement. Additionally, eligible students must have participated in a sport, reflecting the values of teamwork and discipline.

Moreover, recipients must intend to pursue degrees in business, entrepreneurship, or technical fields, aligning the scholarship with pathways that prepare students for leadership and innovation in the workforce.

With the fund fully established as an endowment, the Fox Family Scholarship is set to support Stratford students for generations to come. The University of Connecticut will oversee the scholarship selection process, ensuring fairness and transparency in alignment with the scholarship’s objectives.

To ensure that students and families are aware of this opportunity, the Fox family and Mayor Chess will roll out information about the scholarship across Stratford junior high and high schools, allowing students to plan academically and financially with confidence.

As Stratford students look toward their futures, the Fox Family Scholarship stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, reinforcing the belief that education is the key to unlocking potential and achieving dreams.