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Top Rhode Island Scholarships
Rhode Island may be the smallest U.S. state, but it is not small in scholarship opportunities! Students in Rhode Island have access to a variety of scholarships for different interests and fields of study. If you’re a Rhode Island resident, continue reading to learn the top Rhode Island scholarships and additional resources!
Jump ahead to:
- Top Rhode Island scholarships
- Additional Rhode Island scholarship resources
- Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island scholarships
- Summary of Rhode Island scholarships
Top Rhode Island scholarships
Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellows
- Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students, professors, or educators who are Rhode Island residents attending/teaching at a Rhode Island college or university who wish to pursue foreign language study.
- Amount: $1,000 – $20,000
- Deadline: January 24
Transform Rhode Island Scholarship
- Eligibility: Rhode Island Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) high school students, grades 9 – 12. Must be enrolled in a Rhode Island school or be actively home-schooled.
- Amount: $25,000 – 1st place; $15,000 – 2nd place; $10,000 – 3rd place. Reward is non-renewable.
- Deadline: January 31
John J. O’Connor Jr. Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Rhode Island residents who are attending a Rhode Island school in pursuit of a CNA, associates, or bachelors nursing degree. Applicants must show academic excellence and have financial need.
- Amount: $500 – $5,000
- Deadline: April 18
RDW Group Communications Scholarship for People of Color
- Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate Rhode Island BIPOC residents. Applicants must be studying communications or a related degree.
- Amount: $500 – $2,000
- Deadline: April 18
Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Rhode Island high school seniors whose parents did not graduate from college (including community college or college in another country). Applicants must show financial need.
- Amount: $1,000 – $1,500. Reward is renewable for up to 4 years.
- Deadline: April 25
Rhode Island Promise
- Eligibility: Rhode Island residents who are 2022 high school graduates or GED recipients who are younger than 19 years old. Recipients must enroll at Community College of Rhode Island in the fall immediately following high school graduation or the semester immediately after receiving a GED.
- Amount: Rhode Island Promise will pay for the remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees incurred based on enrollment in at least 12 credits after free money (Pell, SEOG, institutional aid and any other scholarships earned) has been applied.
- Deadline: As soon as possible (1st of May for maximum aid potential)
Paula Akers Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be nominated by a member of The R.I. American Federation of Teachers/Retired, and must be related to them. Applicants must show participation in extracurricular or community activities.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: May 1
Additional Rhode Island scholarship resources
Rhode Island Student Loan Authority scholarship search tool
The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority maintains a database of hundreds of local scholarships. Students must make an account to browse the database.
Rhode Island Foundation scholarships
The Rhode Island Foundation provides several additional scholarships for a variety of students and fields of study.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Rhode Island students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Related: How to choose a college
Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island scholarships
How can I get in-state tuition in Rhode Island?
To gain in-state tuition, you need to demonstrate your residence in a state and your intent to stay there. If you are financially dependent on your family, they must demonstrate these things; if you are financially independent, you only need to demonstrate your own residency and intent to stay.
Sometimes, these requirements can vary based on the school you apply to. Each school has slightly different methods of verifying these requirements, so make sure to check in with your school to see what they’ll need to see. This helps you verify whether you can qualify.
Also see: How to get in-state tuition as an out-of-state tuition
What is the top-ranked school in Rhode Island?
Although college rankings are somewhat subjective, they can be a useful way to get an overall view of your college options. One of the most commonly top-rated schools in Rhode Island is Brown University. Brown is a member of the Ivy League and has an international reputation for its excellent academics. That being said, there are many excellent schools in Rhode Island, and the main thing that matters is what school is the best fit for you.
Related: Do college rankings matter?
