Rhode Island scholarships and grants

Open to most students

• Rhode Island Hope Scholarship (Rhode Island College)

  Full remaining tuition and mandatory fees for junior and senior years at RIC (after other aid)

  State of Rhode Island; administered by Rhode Island College (RIC)

  Apply any time

  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.

  • What it takes: FAFSA only
  • For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
  • Needs a 2.5+ GPA
  • Who can get it: Rhode Island residents who qualify for in-state tuition
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Rhode Island Promise Scholarship

  Remaining tuition and mandatory fees at CCRI for two years, after other grants and scholarships

  State of Rhode Island; administered by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)

  Apply any time

  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.

  • What it takes: FAFSA + state application + transcript
  • For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
  • Needs a 2.5+ GPA
  • Who can get it: Rhode Island residents who qualify for in-state tuition, including non-citizens who meet the residency policy
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• 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 Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC); awarded by participating Rhode Island colleges

  Apply any time

  Rhode Island's need-based state grant for residents with financial need at Rhode Island public colleges and participating independent nonprofit colleges, awarded by your college from your FAFSA.

  • What it takes: FAFSA only
  • For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
  • Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
  • Who can get it: Eligible to file the FAFSA (OPC also accepts an alternative aid form for some residents who cannot file a FAFSA)
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Rhode Island Tuition Waiver for Residents 60 and Older

  Full tuition, space-available (fees and books not covered)

  State of Rhode Island; CCRI, RIC and URI

  Apply any time

  Free tuition (space available) at Rhode Island public colleges for Rhode Island residents age 60 or older with household income under three times the federal poverty level.

  • What it takes: state application
  • For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
  • Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

For specific students

Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.

• DCYF Higher Education Opportunity Incentive Grant (foster youth)

  Up to the full cost of attendance minus other aid (unmet need), subject to available funding

  Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)

  Apply any time

  Grant for young people who were in Rhode Island foster care, covering unmet college costs up to the full cost of attendance at CCRI, RIC or URI (or a CCRI workforce program).

  • Who it's for: Current or former Rhode Island foster youth (DCYF foster care for 6+ months on or after age 14, or adopted/guardianship through DCYF after age 16)
  • What it takes: FAFSA + state application
  • For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
  • Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Rhode Island Disabled Veterans Tuition Waiver

  Full tuition (fees and books not covered); reduced by any grants and scholarships

  State of Rhode Island; CCRI, RIC and URI

  Apply any time

  Free tuition at Rhode Island public colleges for Rhode Island resident veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more.

  • Who it's for: Veteran with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more
  • What it takes: FAFSA + state application
  • For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
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  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026

• Rhode Island Unemployment Tuition Waiver

  Full tuition (and registration fee at CCRI/URI), space-available; fees and books not covered

  State of Rhode Island; CCRI, RIC and URI

  Apply any time

  Free tuition (space available) at Rhode Island public colleges for income-qualified Rhode Island residents receiving state unemployment benefits.

  • Who it's for: Currently receiving Rhode Island unemployment insurance benefits
  • What it takes: FAFSA + state application
  • For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
  • Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
  Official pageSign in to save

  Checked against the official page October 5, 2026