NEWPORT, R.I. — As colleges send out financial aid offers, the Rhode Island Foundation is opening the door to more than $4 million in scholarships to help students cover the rising cost of higher education.
Foundation President and CEO David N. Cicilline said the funding is designed to close financial gaps that can otherwise put college out of reach. The scholarships support both students pursuing degrees and the donors who make the awards possible, with long-term benefits for local communities.
Last year, more than 60 students from Newport County received scholarships to attend schools including University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University, Harvard University and Marquette University.
Recipients say the support goes beyond tuition. Claire Hook of Portsmouth, who studies industrial design at Pratt Institute, said the aid has helped her family afford college while boosting her confidence in her future.
Dozens of donors fund the scholarships, which can be used for tuition, housing and other expenses. Most awards are accessible through a single online application at rifoundation.org, simplifying the process for students.
Among the largest programs is the Robert G. and Joyce Andrew Scholarship Fund, which helped more than 170 students attend college last year. The Foundation also offers targeted awards, including the Ocean State Media Scholarship for students pursuing journalism or communications, and multiple nursing scholarships worth up to $10,000.
Support isn’t limited to four-year degrees. Funding is also available for Rhode Islanders attending trade or technical schools, including through the David L. Taton Family Vocational/Technical Scholarship Fund.
The deadline to apply for most scholarships is April 13.
Scholarships are part of the Foundation’s broader investment in education. In 2025, it awarded more than $5.5 million in grants through its Education and Student Success initiatives.
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