Nearly four billion dollars is being invested into Connecticut public colleges and universities as part of Governor John G. Rowland’s aggressive efforts to create the best public higher education system in Connecticut history.

From the elegant new buildings at the University of Connecticut to new campuses in the Community Technical College system, students are learning in a significantly improved environments.

In addition, increases in student aid, new vehicles to help save for college, and other measures are helping to ensure present and future generations have access to the best possible public colleges and universities.

Unprecedented Transformation – 21st Century UConn

The ten-year, $1 billion UConn 2000 program has helped transform the University of Connecticut into the top rated public university in New England and the Storrs campus into a world-class center of higher learning.

In 2002, Governor Rowland committed an additional $1.3 billion to 21st Century UConn to continue this historic program to revitalize the Storrs, regional and UConn Law school campuses.

The UConn Health Center, with a new $40 million dollar research wing, is also benefiting from a $300 million investment as part of the 21^st Century UConn program.

In 1997, Governor Rowland announced a major initiative to modernize and improve the campuses of both the Connecticut State University system (CSU) and the Community Technical College System (CTC). Since then, more than $860 million has been allocated and to enrollment is at record levels, with nearly 60,000 students.

Campus improvements and modernization include the new Capitol Community Technical College campus in downtown Hartford, and new buildings and facilities at all of the CSU campuses

To ensure access and affordability, funding for the state’s three major financial assistance programs for students has increased dramatically since Governor Rowland took office in 1995.

The largest has been in aid for public college students, which has increased 200 percent increase since 1995. Governor Rowland has also increased in the operating budget monies by more than $190 million since 1995.

Governor Rowland also supported creation of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust Fund in 1997 to give families an affordable way to save for their child’s college. Today more than 30,000 accounts have been opened.