Hampton University has entered into a collaborative partnership with Yale University, which has created a new scholarship program called the Pennington Fellowship.

The Pennington Fellowship will support New Haven public school students who choose to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

According to the university, the Pennington Fellowship will support 10 to 12 students in each college-bound cohort for four years, with each student receiving up to $20,000 toward tuition and fees per year. When fully implemented, 40 to 50 students will receive Pennington scholarships at any given time.

“We are grateful for Yale’s collaboration with Hampton University in creating new educational pathways for students of historically disenfranchised communities,” said Darrell K. Williams, Hampton University President.

“The Pennington Fellowship opens doors for high-caliber students from New Haven, Connecticut to obtain a world-class education here at ‘Our Home by the Sea’ or at another partner HBCU.”

In addition to Hampton University, the Pennington Fellowship is established with Morehouse College, Morgan State University, and Spelman College. Yale plans to add to the number of institutions as more partnerships are established.

Applicants for the scholarships must be seniors at a New Haven public high school, submit an essay, provide a letter of recommendation, and have participated in at least 40 hours of community service. Fellowship applications are currently being accepted; the first group of Pennington Fellows will begin college in the fall of 2023.