Scholarships for Rhode Island Students to Apply for in 2025

About scholarships in Rhode Island

Nestled on the coast of New England, Rhode Island is home to a little over 1,000,000 people. Although Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US, scholarships offered in Rhode Island are huge for residents and students in the Ocean State. Through scholarships, Rhode Island provides college students with external funding and support that alleviates the monetary requirements Rhode Island students face when pursuing a post-secondary institution.

Students can find Rhode Island scholarships through enrollment services at a Rhode Island school or at scholarship platforms like Bold.org, where new scholarships are created every day.

Rhode Island students and student debt

Over 80,000 students are enrolled in Rhode Island colleges, with 56.2% attending public institutions. Approximately 41% of students enrolled are Rhode Island residents. A Rhode Island resident enrolled in college typically seeks federal loans to finance their educational endeavors. Roughly 48% of undergraduate students who attend a Rhode Island college receive federal student loans. Additionally, the state spends approximately $10 million in financial aid.

On average, students attending a private 4-year Rhode Island college spend $57,176 per year, including room and board. Around 130,000 Rhode Island residents owe more than $4.5 million in student loan debt. A staggering 42% of Rhode Island college graduates have private student loan debt, which is often more expensive and comes with fewer consumer protections. For Rhode Island residents seeking post-secondary education, scholarships are now more critical than ever. Bold.org recognizes Rhode Island residents with financial need and offers scholarship awards to reduce the financial costs students face.

Colleges in Rhode Island

Many of Rhode Island's top colleges and universities are in Providence, the state capital. Of the fifteen schools in Rhode Island, twelve are four-year private colleges or universities. The largest public institution in Rhode Island that offers the lowest tuition in the state is a community college in New England called The Community College of Rhode Island. On a Rhode Island legislative page from Representative Gregg Amore, the State House is working to ease the loan debt burden by offering grants and scholarships exclusive to students attending CCRI.

Students who want to attend a college or university near Rhode Island can select colleges and universities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont through the New England Regional Student Program. A Rhode Island resident can receive a discount on tuition through this program; more information can be found here.

Private universities and colleges

Brown University, a member of the Ivy League and the only Rhode Island institution founded before the American Revolution, is the oldest school in Rhode Island. Like all Ivy League institutions, Brown does not provide aid based on academic achievement, athletic ability, or other merits; instead, the university determines aid eligibility by financial need. Rhode Island residents enrolled at Brown who demonstrate financial need are eligible for their institutional scholarships.

The Rhode Island School of Design is one of the first art and design schools in the US. It is a private, nonprofit college founded in Providence, RI, in 1877 with a student body of a little over 2,500. This college offers a wide variety of curricula, even including jewelry-related curriculum. The Jewelry and Metalsmithing is a degree program that provides an arts education where students research, experiment, and produce adornments and sculptural metal works. RISD scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Each year, RISD scholarship recipients must apply for financial aid. Annually, RISD offers several scholarships to first-year students who display outstanding academic and artistic achievements that do not necessarily demonstrate financial need.

Public universities and colleges

The University of Rhode Island is a northeastern university school with a vibrant and diverse community. URI provides thousands of students awards from the university, including the Rhode Island Grant, University Grant, and Founders Grant. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have satisfactory academic records. To be eligible, applicants must file a FAFSA application each year. Rhode Island residents' financial need is carefully considered at URI. Scholarships are given each year at the University of Rhode Island by the URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement and generous donors.

The URI College of Nursing offers a master's degree nursing program ranked in the top 50 nationally. This Rhode Island nursing program enhances and transforms the health care system to meet the needs of a global society. This college provides specific scholarships and awards for students pursuing a career in nursing.

Rhode Island College is an accredited institution located in the vibrant city of Providence. Scholarships are available to students obtaining a graduate degree at RIC. All enrolled students seeking an undergraduate degree or graduate degree who demonstrate financial need at Rhode Island College can apply for general institutional scholarships.

The best scholarships for Rhode Island students

Rhode Island scholarships are explicitly tailored towards Rhode Island residents, limiting the number of eligible students. Applying for Rhode Island scholarships can help students in Rhode Island lessen their college expenses and seek further education.

Although there are few Rhode Island-specific scholarships currently offered on Bold.org, Rhode Island students should apply for the following scholarships to maximize their financial aid. Bold.org continues to grow its scholarship opportunities for students throughout the nation; continue to check our website as we are consistently updating our scholarships.

Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship

Leon M. Braswell III found his calling in college admissions, where he recruited students to several colleges in New England. This scholarship was founded to honor Leon, his achievements, and his passion for learning and education by helping underrepresented minority students pay for books as they embark on their college experience.

Additional scholarships that students in Rhode Island should consider

In addition to Rhode Island college scholarships, Bold.org offers an assortment of other scholarships to consider. By accessing Bold.org, Rhode Island students will find a plethora of scholarships available with regard to academic merit, financial need, athletic, and more. Fortunately, there's no limit to how many scholarships you can win. Start applying today to maximize your earnings! 

1. Pride in Diversity Scholarship
2. Youssef University’s College Life Scholarship
3. KBK Artworks Scholarship
4. "A Bold Life" No-Essay Scholarship
5. Women’s History Scholarship

Scholarships for high school students in Rhode Island

Most scholarships are tailored toward graduating high school seniors; with that said, a senior has a higher chance of winning scholarship awards. Though do not be discouraged, scholarships for high school students are not limited to seniors. High school students, regardless of year, residing in Rhode Island are encouraged to apply also. The earlier students apply, the better their chances of maximizing their awarded scholarships. 

When you begin searching for scholarships, it is essential to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what financial assistance and scholarship opportunities your college offers. Your high school guidance counselor may also have support services directly linked to information regarding federal and state aid. Financial aid comes in various forms, and one of the most significant is scholarships.

Below we have gathered a list of scholarships on Bold.org for high school students.

1. Snap Finance Young Women for STEM Scholarship
2. CollegeXpress No-Essay Scholarship
3. Scorenavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship
4. Best Christian Colleges No-Essay Scholarship
5. ESOF Academic Scholarship

Bold.org offers exclusive scholarships for high school juniors, sophomores, and freshmen to help them maximize their scholarship earnings before pursuing post-secondary education. Check out the Exclusive Scholarship Groups page to find more scholarships suited to your needs.

Are there Rhode Island scholarships for high school seniors?

Rhode Island seniors can access numerous scholarship opportunities exclusively available to their graduating class who plan to attend a four-year accredited institution, technical school, or college, in addition to those available to all high school students. Selecting "High School" as the education level on Bold.org’s scholarship search can help high school students explore options tailored to them. The Scholarships for High School Seniors category page displays exclusive scholarships for high school seniors. 

Below we have gathered additional scholarships for high school seniors.

1. Jake Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship
2. Kenyada Me'Chon Thomas Legacy Scholarship
3. HPF-RYW Orange Heart Scholarship
4. Carl’s Music Matters Scholarship
5. Hasanovic American Dream Scholarship

Scholarships for current college students in Rhode Island

A common misconception is that scholarships are only for high school students. Current college students have access to an abundance of lucrative scholarship opportunities. Rhode Island undergraduate and graduate students should apply for scholarships to reduce the cost of their tuition and related expenses. If you are an undergraduate student or a graduate student, Bold.org encourages you to apply for their scholarships. Submit a scholarship application now by clicking on one of the scholarships listed below! 

1. Ilya Flantsbaum Memorial Scholarship
2. Military Student Debt Grant
3. Diversity in Law Scholarship
4. Pettable Pet Lovers Scholarship Fund
5. Lost Dreams Awaken Scholarship

Frequently asked questions about scholarships in Rhode Island

During your Rhode Island scholarship application process, you may have questions about the process or how Bold.org works. Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked scholarship questions in Rhode Island. 

How to apply for scholarships in Rhode Island

One of the first steps in searching for Rhode Island scholarships is to reach out to your college's financial aid office to see what assistance and scholarship opportunities your college offers. In addition to institutional aid, external scholarship platforms can help find resources and other scholarships to assist your educational journey. Bold.org is dedicated to fighting student debt by helping students find funding opportunities. 

Whether you're in high school, college, or technical school, Bold.org is an excellent place to start your search. Simply create a Bold.org account and begin browsing numerous available scholarships. This scholarship platform is the largest independent scholarship program with abundant funding opportunities waiting to be awarded. 

Applicants must read each guideline carefully to understand the requirements and meet deadlines. Verify whether you meet all of the eligibility criteria before applying. Simply follow the application prompts and click "apply now" to complete your application! 

For essay-writing tips, check out our exclusive guide for writing an excellent essay here. 

Scholarships will differ in eligibility criteria; applicants must make sure they are eligible for the application to maximize their earnings. There can be significant competition for specific scholarships due to the range of applicants searching for financial relief. For Rhode Island scholarships, applicants are looking particularly in the state of Rhode Island, limiting the eligible candidates and increasing the chances of awards. 

Will I still qualify for scholarships if I'm not low-income?

Unfortunately, many students believe in the misconception that there is an income cut-off resulting in ineligibility for scholarships or other forms of financial aid. There is no income cut-off that determines whether you are eligible for federal-state assistance or scholarships. Students should note that not all scholarships consider financial need when evaluating scholarship applicants. Though many institutional scholarships look for students who demonstrate financial need, there are various other factors taken into consideration.

Reach out to your college or university to find out what financial funds are available to you. Moreover, scholarships based on merit, academic excellence, demographics, and competition are excellent choices. Bold.org offers scholarship applications that make it easy to fund your college education. Hundreds of different scholarships are shown on the platform to a wide range of students.

How can I use a scholarship?

A scholarship award can be used for any educational expense, including tuition, books, or fees. Scholarship money from Bold.org will be sent directly to your school and applied to your educational costs.

Scholarships from other sources may be sent directly to you or your school. In the event that you receive scholarships and grants that exceed your total tuition and fees, your school may refund the remaining scholarship award. If you get a tuition refund directly or indirectly, you can often use that money towards education costs like books, or room and board, among other related expenses. 

How will I receive my scholarship award?

To determine each scholarship winner, representatives from Bold.org or the scholarship donor will review the accepted scholarship applications. Once a scholarship fund is awarded and verified, Bold.org will send the money by check to the scholarship winner's accredited institution to be applied toward tuition and other related educational expenses upon receiving proof of enrollment.

Are scholarships counted as income?

Scholarships are essentially considered free money that can enable students to pursue a higher education that otherwise might not have been possible, so the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is generous in minimizing students' tax obligations. The federal government also provides savings plans, tax credits, and deductions to help taxpayers with their higher education expenses. Additional information regarding these benefits can be found on the IRS website. Degree-seeking students who receive grants, scholarships, or fellowships must pay taxes on the money only if the total exceeds the value of their qualified tuition and related expenses.