Rhode Island Hope Scholarship (Rhode Island College)
State of Rhode Island; administered by Rhode Island College (RIC)
Free tuition and mandatory fees for the junior and senior years at Rhode Island College for Rhode Island residents who started at RIC and stay on track, regardless of income.
- How much
- Full remaining tuition and mandatory fees for junior and senior years at RIC (after other aid)
- Who qualifies
- Must start at RIC as a first-time first-year student and complete the first two years there; full time (12+ credits) for students 23 and under; 60 credits by junior year; not a prior RI Promise recipient; commitment to live, work or study in RI. Adults 24+ need 60 RIC credits within four years.
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
- Rhode Island residents who qualify for in-state tuition
- When to apply
- Apply any time Automatic review before junior year (degree audit after July 1 for fall starters, after December 31 for spring starters); FAFSA due each year by RIC's financial aid deadline.
- How to apply
- Apply to and enroll at RIC as a first-time first-year student, file the FAFSA every year by RIC's deadline, and meet the credit/GPA requirements
- No separate scholarship application: RIC reviews academic records automatically before junior year (degree audit after July 1 for fall starters)
- Questions: hope@ric.edu
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ric.edu), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Created by the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program Act (RIGL chapter 16-113, 2023). Students who complete their first two years at RIC get their junior and senior years free of tuition and mandatory fees, applied after all other federal aid, scholarships and grants (it is last-dollar; DCYF incentive grants and Onward We Learn scholarships are not counted against it). It covers fall, spring and intersession courses in the junior and senior years, the summer between them, and credits over 18 per semester; it does not cover textbooks, late fees, program or course fees, housing, food or travel. Requirements (age 23 or younger): qualify for in-state tuition before junior year; enroll at RIC as a first-time first-year undergraduate (no prior college); complete freshman and sophomore years at RIC; stay full time (12+ credits); complete the FAFSA each year by RIC's deadline; keep a 2.5 cumulative GPA; declare a major before junior year; stay on track (60 credits earned and no more than 78 still needed before junior year; no more than 39 needed before senior year); not have received RI Promise; and commit to live, work or continue education in Rhode Island. Adult students (24 or older at the start of the four-year period) must instead earn 60 credits at RIC within four years. Exceptions exist for approved leaves, military service, developmental education, double majors, longer programs and disability accommodations. No scholarship application is required; RIC reviews records before junior year.
More money from Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Promise ScholarshipRemaining tuition and mandatory fees at CCRI for two years, after other grants and scholarships
- Rhode Island State Grant (need-based state scholarship and grant program)Varies by college and by the year's appropriation; no statewide amount is published
- Rhode Island Tuition Waiver for Residents 60 and OlderFull tuition, space-available (fees and books not covered)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Connecticut, Massachusetts
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.