Pursuing your college education in Rhode Island? You’re in luck – there are numerous Rhode Island grants and scholarships for college students. Both grants and scholarships provide you with free money that does not have to be paid back. This is different from taking out a loan, which typically needs to be paid back after you graduate. If you’re looking for local scholarships in Rhode Island for out of state residents, you’ll want to take a look at the individual requirements for the scholarships. Most scholarships that are funded by the state are only for permanent residents. Scholarships that are funded by schools or private organizations are more likely to be available to students who live out of state but are attending school in Rhode Island.
College Consensus is on the lookout for scholarships for students of all background, occupations, and, of course, states. For students in Rhode Island looking for scholarship opportunities, this listing is a step in the right direction. Programs are alphabetical.
1
Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellows
The Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellows Scholarship is not a full-ride scholarship for a Rhode Island college, but a special scholarship for students and faculty who want to study a foreign language abroad. While applicants do not have to be part of the University of Rhode Island student body, they are given preference. Applicants must be full-time students in Rhode Island studying a foreign language.
The Demers scholarship is named for Beatrice S. Demers, a beloved URI language professor who always encouraged students to study abroad and immerse themselves in language. At her death, she left a $4 million endowment for students to travel; in 2018, students received more than $233,000.
2
Horatio Alger Rhode Island Scholarship
The Horatio Alger Assocation Rhode Island Scholarship is intended for students who have overcome hardships in pursuit of their dreams. The scholarship is funded by members of the association who have come from challenged backgrounds to become leaders in their industry, their community, and their lives. To apply, students must currently be a high school senior, have a significant financial need, and demonstrate their commitment to service, integrity, and perseverance.
Named for author Horatio Alger, the Horatio Alger Association offers scholarships to students in all 50 states and Washington DC. Alger was known for his popular stories of self-made success, and in that spirit, the Horatio Alger Associations seeks to celebrate Americans who overcome adversity in all forms.
3
New England Area Future Leadership Award
The New England Area Future Leadership Award is offered by the American Society of Safety Professionals, an organization for professionals in occupational health and safety. To qualify, students must join the ASSP (for $15) and be pursuing a degree in an area related to occupational health. The New England Area Future Leadership Award is not for Rhode Island alone, but for students throughout the New England region.
The ASSP Foundation has been offering scholarships and other educational and charitable opportunities since 1990. Funded by donations from members, the ASSP Foundation has given out more than $3 million in scholarships and research grants in the last three decades, and intends to help many more students shape the future of occupational health and safety.
4
New England Employee Benefits Council Scholarship
The New England Employee Benefits Council Scholarship is an unusually specific scholarship, but for students interested in human resources and benefits, it’s a perfect fit. To apply, students must be enrolled full-time in a college or university in New England, and they must be pursuing a degree or taking courses related to employee benefits; they may also have work experience in benefits or human resources.
The NEEBC is a professional organization for individuals working in fields related to employee benefits. That may mean designed pension packages, working in actuarial science, managing human resources and benefits programs, and more. The NEEBC Scholarship exists to encourage students to pursue this very rewarding and valuable (if not always romantic) occupation.
5
New England FEMARA Scholarship
The New England FEMARA Scholarship is about a niche as they come. Sponsored by the FEMARA – a consortium of ham radio clubs in the New England area – the FEMARA scholarship is intended for students in college or trade school pursuing a programs related to radio, such as electrical engineering. To apply, students must be a member of FEMARA.
The FEMARA Foundation has been around for more than three decades, bringing together ham radio enthusiasts all over New England. To fund their scholarship program, the FEMARA sponsors the ARRL New England Division Convention, with all proceeeds from the convention going to the scholarship fund. Members also contribute to help spread learning and radio.
Does the State of Rhode Island Offer Grants and Scholarships?
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Rhode Island scholarships and grants:
Rhode Island State Grant – This Rhode Island grants and scholarships program provides college students with up to $900 annually. This grant is a great way to pay for books and other expenses that are a part of the college experience.
CollegeBound Fund Academic Promise Scholarship– This Rhode Island scholarships and grants program is awarded to Rhode Island students based on their financial need. Applicants are chosen based on their SAT or ACT scores, and can be awarded up to $10,000 per year to help with tuition.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship – This is a highly competitive award that only goes to a few students each year. While many Rhode Island students apply for the scholarship, it is available to students nationwide.
Do I Have to Be a Resident to Get a Scholarship in Rhode Island?
If you’re looking for scholarships in Rhode Island, but don’t yet live in the state, you may be wondering if you need to assume permanent residency in order to apply for scholarships. This can be tricky. There are some scholarships that require you to be a resident of the state, while other local scholarships in Rhode Island are available to anyone who is attending college in RI.
If you don’t live in the state of RI but want a scholarship that is for RI residents, talk with your college advisor about the possibility of becoming a permanent resident of RI. You may also talk with them about scholarships that your school offers just for out-of-state students. While it can be harder to get scholarships when you are not an RI resident, it’s far from impossible.
What is the Rhode Island College Foundation?
If you’re a college student in Rhode Island, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of the Rhode Island College Foundation. The Rhode Island College Foundation was developed to help make college more accessible to all aspiring Rhode Island students.
The Foundation recognizes that many students are crippled with debt after they finish college, and one of their many goals is to lessen this burden on students. When college graduates have less debt, they’re able to lead more productive lives. They can give back to their community and play a vital role in boosting the economy of Rhode Island.
The Foundation also works to ensure that colleges funded by the state government are up to date, giving students all that they need to be comfortable and succeed. It’s important for public institutions in Rhode Island to be just as state of the art as private institutions. The Foundation works not only to improve facilities, but also to improve the training of faculty and staff at public colleges and universities. They work to help give faculty the training that they need to get their students to excel in the classroom.
If you’re looking for Rhode Island scholarships, the Rhode Island College Foundation is a great place to start. They love helping students get the most out of their education, and want to do everything they can to help students graduate with less debt.
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