Federal Financial Aid Programs
Federal Direct Parental Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Federal Direct PLUS Loans allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance less other student aid. There is no need requirement for the PLUS loan, but the student must file a FAFSA and parents must pass a credit review in order to qualify for the loan. Repayment may be deferred for up to six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. However, interest does accrue on the loan and is capitalized into the loan principal before repayment begins. The fixed interest rate for Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, is 8.94%. Federal Direct PLUS Loans have an origination fee of 4.2 percent.
Federal Pell Grants
Eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is determined by the United States Department of Education, using a national formula. These grants range up to $7,395 annually. Actual awards vary according to the cost of attendance, the student’s enrollment status and Student Aid Index as determined by the FAFSA.
Federal Direct Loans
Eligibility for a subsidized Federal Direct Loan is based on financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid using information from the FAFSA. Subsidized loans are interest-free during the student’s period of enrollment. Students have a six-month grace period after leaving school or dropping below half-time status before repayment begins, but interest will accrue during this period. Unsubsidized Direct Loans, which do not require financial need, have an interest charge during the in-school and grace periods.
For Federal Direct Subsidized Loans first disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the fixed interest rate for undergraduate students is 6.39%. This is the same rate as the Direct Unsubsidized Loans for undergraduate students Subsidized loans are limited to undergraduate students. For graduate or professional students, the interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized loans is 8.08% first disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
Annual loan limits are as follows:
First Year Undergraduates, $5,500. No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans
Second-Year Undergraduate, $6,500. No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans
Third Year and Beyond Undergraduate, $7,500.No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans
Graduate or Professional Student $20,500 (unsubsidized only).
Independent undergraduate students (as determined by the FAFSA) may be eligible for an additional unsubsidized loan of $4,000 in the first and second years and $5,000 in the third year and beyond.
Aggregate loan limits are as follows:
$31,000 for undergraduate dependent students, but no more than $23,000 can be subsidized.
$57,500 for undergraduate independent students, but no more than $23,000 can be subsidized.
$138,500 for graduate students.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Eligibility for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is based on financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid, using information from the FAFSA. Awards range from $100 to $4,000 per year, depending on funding and student need. Priority for funding is given to students who are eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants.
Federal Work-Study Program
This is a part-time employment program based on financial need. A work-study award is paid biweekly at an hourly rate based on hours worked. Wage rates reflect both the level of responsibility and the experience of the student worker. Eligibility is determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid using information from the FAFSA. The Center for Career & Life Design helps students with work-study awards identify opportunities both on and off campus; however, Rhode Island College cannot guarantee that a student will secure a work-study position.
State Financial Aid Programs
RI Stay-the-Course Scholarship
The Stay the Course Scholarship at Rhode Island College is a valuable opportunity for Rhode Island residents needing financial assistance to pursue their education. Funded by the Rhode Island State Higher Education Opportunity Grant program, this scholarship is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid. To qualify for the Stay the Course Scholarship, students must:
• Be enrolled in a degree program
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Demonstrate financial need (note: priority is given to Pell Grant-eligible students, ensuring that those with the highest financial need receive assistance).
The scholarship covers the difference between the sum of tuition, registration fees, and an allowance for books, and the funds provided by other grants and scholarships, such as the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and merit-based scholarships. However, the scholarship amount will not exceed the student's financial need or 60% of their annual cost of attendance. Renewal of the scholarship is contingent upon continued state funding, with priority given to students who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the published priority filing deadline.
Other State Financial Aid Programs - Undergraduate
Guidelines for applying for state scholarship/grant programs vary, so students should inquire at the appropriate agency in their state of legal residence regarding application procedures.
Names, addresses and telephone numbers of other state scholarship agencies are available upon request from the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Rhode Island College Need-Based Grants and Scholarships
Rhode Island College Grants
Rhode Island College grants ranging from $100 to $5,000 are awarded by the Office of Student Financial Aid to students with demonstrated financial need. All applicants are required to file the FAFSA. Award decisions depend on level of demonstrated financial need, year in school, academic record and date of application.
Financial Aid for Summer Sessions
In addition to filing the FAFSA as outlined above, students who desire financial assistance for summer sessions must submit a Rhode Island College Application for Financial Aid – Summer Sessions. This form is available from the Office of Student Financial Aid. Summer session aid is contingent upon the availability of funds and normally consists of Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans and Federal Work-Study.
Academic Scholarships
Colonel John Joseph and Mary Drew Prybyla Rhode Island National Guard Scholarship Fund
Alumni Affairs, Office of
Noreen Ackerman ’80 Scholarship
Frank and Agnes Campbell Scholarship
Alumni Children Academic Scholarship
Alumni Freshman Award
Alumni Graduate Scholarship
Alumni RICochet Fund
Alumni Scholarship Awards
Class of 1951 Scholarship
American Federation of Teachers at Rhode Island College (AFT@RIC)
Donald C. Averill Scholarship
Biology, Department of
Mary M. Keeffe ’28 Award for Excellence
Lloyd Matsumoto Biology Scholarship
Earl H. Webster Scholarship Fund
Business, School of
Peter W. Harman Scholarship
David M. Harris Memorial Scholarship
Operations Management Scholarship
Raymond H. Trott Scholarship
Counseling, Educational Leadership and School Psychology, Department of
Helene Penza Scholarship Fund (Master’s Program)
English, Department of
Catherine Annette Ducey Scholarship
Katherine Cross-Das and Deb Das Scholarship for English
Faculty Writing Awards in Critical and Creative Writing
Donald F. Lyons Scholarship Fund
John J. Salesses Scholarship
Daniel M. Scott, III Memorial Scholarship
Amy Thompson Memorial Scholarship
Feinstein School of Education and Human Development
Thomas Barry ’65 and Louise Barry ’64 Endowed Scholarship
Doris M. Bettez ’42 Scholarship
Joan M. Calise ’57 Scholarship
S. Elizabeth Campbell ’31 Fund
Geraldine A. Carley Scholarship
Elizabeth S. Carr Scholarship
Class of 1938 Scholarship
Class of 1940 Scholarship
Class of 1941 Scholarship
Class of 1942 Scholarship
Class of 1943 Scholarship
Class of 1947 Scholarship
Class of 1952 Scholarship
Class of 1953 Scholarship
Class of 1955 Scholarship
Class of 1959 Scholarship
Phyliss St. Germain Crawford ’66, ’70 Scholarship
Margaret Day ’63 and Edward Day ’61 Scholarship
Lillia Moura deMelo ’49 Scholarship
Endowed Scholarship for the Support of Diversity
Helen Forman Special Education Scholarship
Sarah T. Foster Scholarship
Patricia Galvin ’62 and Dee McCarthy ’62 Scholarship
Donna Gentili ’70 Endowed Scholarship
Abbie Hoisington Memorial Scholarship for Special Education
Carol Horrocks ’56 Art Education Scholarship
Andrea B. Isserlis ’64 Special Education Scholarship
Kanakry ’65-Clarke ’92 Scholarship
Thomas G. King Memorial Scholarship
Renato and Elena Leonelli Physical Science Scholarship
Helen Wynaught Lindstrom ’39 Endowed Scholarship
Joseph R. Lunt Science Teaching Scholarship
Louis A. Marciano ’60 and Gloria Petrucci Marciano Scholarship
Gilda R. Martone ’38 Endowed Scholarship Fund for Education
Dorothy Frances (Kelly) McCartin ’43 Scholarship
Mary S. McGrath ’48 Scholarship
Bertha McKee ’27 Scholarship
Lt. W. Lee Menconi Endowed Memorial Scholarship
John Milligan ’73 and Patricia M. Milligan ’69 Scholarship
Marguerite C. Morey Scholarship
Ethel Murphy Scholarship Fund
Mary E. Murphy ’27 Scholarship
Wilhelmina A. Null Memorial Science Scholarship
Olga M. Lusi O’Brien ’45 Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education
Dolores Palombo Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
Dorothy Pieniadz Scholarship
Providence Teachers’ Association Memorial Scholarship
Rhode Island Council on Economic Education Scholarship
Juliet Romano Endowed Scholarship
Romeo R. Romano Endowed Scholarship
Angelo and Antoinette C. Rosati Endowed Scholarship
Phyllis Moverman Salk Scholarship Fund
Anne B. Saute Scholarship Fund
Raquel Shapiro ’60 Scholarship
Paul V. Sherlock ’60 Endowed Scholarship
Bernard H. Singleton ’63 Scholarship
John J. Smith ’63 and Anna Veronica Smith ’33 Scholarship
Vera Sohigian Endowed Scholarship in Education
Josephine A. Stillings Scholarship
Mary E. Tremblay ’69 Endowed Scholarship
John and Happy White Scholarship in Teacher Education
B. Ruby Winnerman and Harriet J. Winnerman Memorial Scholarship Fund
Arthur M. Zarrella Endowed Scholarship
Financial Aid, Office of Student
Anna H. Blankstein ’41 Scholarship
George Giacomo Cairo Scholarship
Class of 1939 Scholarship
Class of 1950 Scholarship
Class of 1954 Scholarship
Class of 1956 Scholarship
Richard Dawson Memorial Scholarship
Alma Bishop Doley Endowed Scholarship
Robert and Helene ’36 Falvey Scholarship
Aime J. and Gertrude B. Forand Scholarship Fund
Mae E. Godfrey Scholarship
Harrington ’59 and Nolan ’59 Scholarship
David M. Harris Memorial Scholarship
Laura Fachada Lally Memorial Scholarship
Robert L. Lombardi ’86 Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Mary F. Luzzi Scholarship
Anthony Masi M.Ed. ’74, C.A.G.S. ’77 and Lillian J. Masi Endowed Scholarship
Celia Munir Scholarship
John Nazarian Scholarship
Armand I. Patrucco Endowed Scholarship
Vincent Pelene Fund
Rotary Club of North Providence Scholarship
Ethel Salhany Memorial Scholarship
Joseph Salvatore ’39 Scholarship
Edna M. Snow ’77 Scholarship
State Scholarships
Richard Zorabedian Memorial Scholarship Fund
Honors Program, College
Director of Honors Scholarship
Eleanor M. McMahon Rising Junior Scholarship
John Nazarian Honors Scholarship
Rhode Island College Faculty Honors Scholarship
Rhode Island College Foundation Honors Scholarship
Rhode Island College Honors Project Grant
Ruth Williams ’33 Honors Scholarship
Justice Studies, Department of
Justice Studies Scholarship
Mathematical Sciences, Department of
Nancy Humes ’68 Scholarship
Miscellaneous
1st. Lt. Gregory F. Zavota Humanitarian Scholarship
Michael J. “The Doc” Gonsalves ’86 Scholarship
Therese Sullivan ’46 Scholarship
Tess Hoffman Film Studies Scholarship
Michael A. Valerio ’80 Communications Scholarship
Miya D. Brophy-Baermann Scholarship (Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences)
Modern Languages, Department of
Leonelli Family Memorial Scholarship
Music, Theatre and Dance, Department of
Ernest C. and Dorothy H. Allison Scholarship
Louis Appleton Memorial Scholarship
Bicho Family Memorial Scholarship
MaryAnn Dinunzio ’65 Memorial Scholarship
Marjorie H. Eubank Scholarship
Sylvan R. and Helen Forman Scholarship
Mark E. Goldman Theatre Scholarship
John A. Kelly Theatre Scholarship
Michael S. Kroian Sr. Endowed Scholarship
Katherine Bryer Krueger Scholarship
Francis M. Marciniak Music Education Scholarship
John Pellegrino Scholarship for Brass Students
Thomas R. Pezzullo Memorial Scholarship
Jeanne Aubin Rose ’62 Scholarship
Robert D. Soule Technical Theatre Scholarship Fund
Melody Stappas Memorial Scholarship
Meredith M. Thayer ’68 Scholarship
Onanian School of Nursing
Rhode Island College Graduate Nursing Scholarship
Beneficent Church Nursing Scholarship
RIC RN-BSN Scholarship
Mary R. Brunell Nursing Scholarship
Stell Joy Bunnell Endowed Scholarship
Karla Carroll ’95 Nursing Scholarship
William F. Ciambrone Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Class of 1957 Scholarship
Kristen A. Dupre Memorial Scholarship
Debra Dumont Memorial Scholarship Fund
Robert H. I. Goddard and Hope Drury Goddard Scholarship
Mary E. Love Scholarships
Doris Mathewson ’74 Scholarship
Eleanor M. Olson Nursing Scholarship Award
Lucy C. Ayers Memorial Scholarship
Zvart Onanian Endowed Scholarship
Jean Schmieding Scholarship Award
Political Science, Department of
Maryellen Hoye Memorial Fund
Richard R. Langevin Scholarship
Shea and Tolman High Schools
Myrtle Karlin Scholarship
Helen L. Nolan Scholarship
Social Work, School of
Hasbro Scholarship
Ida Maiello Memorial Scholarship
Sociology, Department of
Maryellen Hoye Memorial Fund
Student Affairs, Office of
Frank A. and Camille S. Bucci Scholarship
Michelina “Miki” Doretto Santos Veteran/Veteran Spouse & Upward Bound Scholarship
Student Community Government, Office of
Beverly L. McGinnis Scholarship
Study Abroad Office
Portuguese Studies Abroad Fund
Ridgway F. Shinn Jr. Study Abroad Fund
World Connection Fund
Talent Awards
Special Talent Awards were established to recognize and encourage students who have exceptional talent or skill in the visual and performing arts, areas of intercollegiate competition (other than athletics) or similar fields. Currently, Rhode Island College offers awards in the following areas: art, communication, dance, film studies, music and theatre. While the requirements for these awards vary by department, award competition is open to entering freshmen and transfer students. Awards range from $100 to $2,500. Applicants should contact the academic department or program advisor in their area of interest.