Grants & Scholarships

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Scholarship Opportunities 

Many generous individuals, families, organizations, and businesses have established scholarship funds at the Rhode Island Foundation to help students cover essential educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and other necessities.

Guided by donor intent, scholarship funds may support general educational assistance or target specific areas such as certain fields of study, trade and technical schools, residents of particular cities or towns, student interests or backgrounds, and other special circumstances.

All Rhode Island students are welcome to apply for scholarship funding.

To make the process as accessible as possible, the Foundation offers scholarships through three application pathways. 

 

Universal Application 

By completing the Universal Application, students can be matched with multiple funding opportunities through a single set of questions. These scholarships are marked “Universal Application” in the directory below. For some opportunities, applicants may need to answer additional essay prompts or provide further information, but our convenient online scholarship platform will help guide students through these steps.  

Stand-Alone Application 

Some scholarship and fellowship funds require a stand-alone application and are not part of the Universal Application. These include funds with very specific criteria or rolling deadlines, scholarships for K–12 students, and fellowships supporting activities beyond essential educational costs. These opportunities are labeled “Stand-Alone Application” in the directory below. 

Nursing Application 

The Foundation awards scholarships from several funds that support students pursuing nursing programs. A single application may be used to apply to all nursing scholarship opportunities. These opportunities are marked “Nursing Application” in the directory below.

For additional information, contact Monica Benson at (401) 427-4017 or email scholarships@rifoundation.org. Si necesita asistencia en Español, por favor de comunicarse con Zaida Hernandez al (401) 427-4039 o zhernandez@rifoundation.org.

College-level Stand-Alone

AAA Northeast Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Child or legal dependent of a current AAA Northeast employee who has been employed part-time or full-time for at least one year at the time any scholarship would be awarded
  • Enrolled at a two or four-year post-secondary institution
More Information
College-level Universal

Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Parents did not graduate from college (including community college or a college in a foreign country)
  • Accepted or enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college
  • Financial need

Important: review full requirements

Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship

  • Parents did not graduate from college (including community college or a college in a foreign country)
  • Accepted or enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college
  • Financial need
  • Rhode Island high school senior
  • Award: $1,000 - $1,500; past recipients can reapply
Apply for Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship Apply
College-level Nursing

Alumnae Association of Newport Hospital School of Nursing Fund Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Scholarships for Rhode Island residents pursuing nursing education
More Information
College-level Universal

Robert G. and Joyce Andrew College Scholarship Fund

April 13, 2026
  • Current seniors or graduated within the last three years from a high school (public, independent, or private) in Rhode Island
  • Accepted into or currently enrolled in an undergraduate course of study at Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, Bryant University, Roger Williams University, Rhode Island College, or the Community College of Rhode Island
More Information
College-level Graduate-level Stand-Alone

Beacon Brighter Tomorrows Scholarship

May 11, 2026
  • Spouse or legal dependent of an eligible claim
  • Accepted into an accredited post-secondary institution (academic, trade, or vocational)
  • Financial need

Important: review full requirements

Beacon Brighter Tomorrows Scholarship

  • Spouse or legal dependent of an eligible claim
  • Accepted into an accredited post-secondary institution (academic, trade, or vocational)
  • Financial need
  • Grade point average of “C” or better
  • U.S. citizen or legal resident
  • Renewable up to four years; past recipients may reapply
Apply for Beacon Brighter Tomorrows Scholarship Apply
College-level Universal

Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • High school graduate or adult student applicant
  • Rhode Island resident
  • Pursuing or advancing a career in healthcare at a post-secondary institution (college or technical school)

Important: review full requirements

Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship

  • High school graduate or adult student applicant
  • Rhode Island resident
  • Pursuing or advancing a career in healthcare at a post-secondary institution (college or technical school)
  • Financial need
  • May be renewable for up to four years: past recipients may reapply
Apply for Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship Apply
College-level Graduate-level Universal

Bristol Children's Home Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Bristol, Rhode Island resident
  • Attending or accepted to a college or university
  • Not intended for graduate students

Important: review full requirements

Bristol Children's Home Scholarship

  • Bristol, Rhode Island resident
  • Attending or accepted to a college or university
  • Not intended for graduate students
  • Award: $500- $2,500; past recipients may reapply
Apply for Bristol Children's Home Scholarship Apply
College-level Graduate-level Universal

James J. Burns and C. A. Haynes Textile Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Studying textiles at accredited institution
  • Financial need
  • Award: $1,000
Apply for James J. Burns and C. A. Haynes Textile Scholarship Apply
College-level Stand-Alone

Carter Roger Williams Scholarship

March 02, 2026
  • Appreciate and embody Roger Williams’s values and legacy
  • Current Rhode Island resident and senior at any high school (public, independent, or private) in Rhode Island
More Information
College-level Universal

Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • High school seniors
  • Warwick, Rhode Island residents
  • Financial need

Important: review full requirements

Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship

  • High school seniors
  • Warwick, Rhode Island residents
  • Financial need
  • Academic excellence not necessary, preference given to students not in the top 10% of their graduating class.
  • Award: $1,500 - $2,000; non-renewable
Apply for Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship Apply
Graduate-level Stand-Alone

Antonio Cirino Memorial Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Graduate student in arts education or in the arts with an intention to teach
  • Not a Rhode Island School of Design graduate or seeking a graduate degree from RISD
  • Rhode Island resident

Important: review full requirements

Antonio Cirino Memorial Scholarship

  • Graduate student in arts education or in the arts with an intention to teach
  • Not a Rhode Island School of Design graduate or seeking a graduate degree from RISD
  • Rhode Island resident
  • Financial need
  • Award: $2,000 to $20,000; past recipients may reapply
Apply for Antonio Cirino Memorial Scholarship Apply
College-level Universal

Constant Memorial Scholarship

April 13, 2026
  • Aquidneck Island resident
  • Art or music student
  • Entering sophomore, junior or senior year at a four-year accredited institution of higher learning

Important: review full requirements

Constant Memorial Scholarship

  • Aquidneck Island resident
  • Art or music student
  • Entering sophomore, junior or senior year at a four-year accredited institution of higher learning
  • Award: $2,000 - $5,000; past recipients may reapply
Apply for Constant Memorial Scholarship Apply