Rhode Island Promise Scholarship
State of Rhode Island; administered by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)
Tuition-free associate degree at CCRI for Rhode Island residents who enroll right after high school or a GED: covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees for two years after other grant aid.
- How much
- Remaining tuition and mandatory fees at CCRI for two years, after other grants and scholarships
- Who qualifies
- High school diploma or GED before age 19 (ages 19-21 by appeal); enroll at CCRI in the term immediately after; associate degree program; at least 6 credits each fall and spring; 24 credits and 2.5 cumulative GPA after year one to renew; written commitment to live, work or study in RI.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Rhode Island residents who qualify for in-state tuition, including non-citizens who meet the residency policy
- When to apply
- Apply any time Enroll at CCRI in the term right after high school graduation or GED. CCRI encourages completing your financial aid file by April 1 to secure RI Promise; other deadlines are set by CCRI's financial aid office.
- How to apply
- 1) Apply to CCRI (free application)
- 2) File the FAFSA (2026-27 for fall 2026 entrants
- The 2027-28 FAFSA for fall 2027) and complete any verification
- 3) Submit your final high school or GED transcript
- 4) Complete the RI Promise Application/Attestation in MyCCRI (Financial Aid Dashboard)
- 5) Use the RI Promise Status Check to finish enrollment steps
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application + transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ccri.edu), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
RI Promise (RIGL chapter 16-107; Council policy S-19) pays the remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees at CCRI after free money (Pell Grant, SEOG, institutional aid and other scholarships) has been applied, for two academic years (fall and spring; summer only if funds allow). Loans are not counted against it. It covers developmental and college-level courses in any associate degree program, but not certificate or noncredit programs, textbooks, or course/program fees. To start: be a Rhode Island resident who qualifies for in-state tuition; graduate from high school (public, private or homeschool) or earn a GED before age 19 (students who are 19, 20 or 21 in their graduation year must appeal); enroll at CCRI in the term right after graduation (a one-semester deferral can be approved, and students who spent only one semester at another college may still qualify); complete the FAFSA; and enroll in at least 6 credits each fall and spring. To keep it for the second year: earn at least 24 credits in the first year (30 recommended), keep a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, stay on track to graduate in two years, and refile the FAFSA. Students sign a commitment to live, work or continue their education in Rhode Island, but CCRI says there is no penalty for leaving the state. Non-citizens can qualify if they meet the residency policy. Exceptions exist for medical, personal and military leave and for disability accommodations.
More money from Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Hope Scholarship (Rhode Island College)Full remaining tuition and mandatory fees for junior and senior years at RIC (after other aid)
- 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.