Browse Scholarships
Scholarship Opportunities
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.
Rhode Island Commission on Women/Freda H. Goldman Education Award
April 13, 2026- Pursuing education or job training beyond high school
- Preference given to highly motivated, self-supporting, low-income women completing first undergraduate degree or certificate program
- Award: $500 - $2,000; past recipients are eligible to reapply
Paula M. Rivard Memorial Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Single Rhode Island women
- Pursuing a two or four-year degree or certificate
- Award: $500-$1,500; past recipients may reapply
Roger J. Bertrand Scholarship
March 09, 2026- Elementary or secondary school students currently enrolled in or accepted for enrollment as full-time K-12 students in any RI Catholic school approved by the Catholic Diocese of Providence
- Award: $880
Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Nursing Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program in Rhode Island
- Financial need
Willard and Marjorie Scheibe Nursing Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Rhode Island resident pursuing LPN, RN, or advanced nursing degree
- Financial need
Scituate Ambulance and Rescue Corps Scholarship Fund
Ongoing- Resident of Scituate, Rhode Island
- Enrolled in accredited training courses related to emergency medical services
Lily and Catello Sorrentino Memorial Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Student 25 years of age or older
- Pursuing an undergraduate degree in degree-conferring non-parochial institution in Rhode Island
- Financial need
Important: review full requirements
Lily and Catello Sorrentino Memorial Scholarship
- Student 25 years of age or older
- Pursuing an undergraduate degree in degree-conferring non-parochial institution in Rhode Island
- Financial need
- Preference given to students attending Rhode Island College, Community College of Rhode Island, or University of Rhode Island
- Preference given to first-time applicants
- Award: $1,000 - $1,500; past recipients may reapply
Lillian Sparfven & Ethel Ferrara Fund Nursing Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Rhode Island residents
- Demonstrated financial need
- Demonstrated financial need and attending an accredited nursing program in pursuit of an LPN, RN, or advanced nursing degree
Station Nightclub Fire Children’s Scholarship
Ongoing- Financial assistance to dependent children of Station Nightclub victims or survivors who are enrolled or enrolling in post-secondary education and training
- Applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis
- Contact the Rhode Island Foundation at (401) 427-4010
Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Single parent, Rhode Island resident (men and women)
- Preference given to parents currently or previously receiving state aid or those who have been previously incarcerated
- Award: $500 - $2,000; past recipients may reapply
Surti Family Scholarship Fund
April 13, 2026- Students currently working in Rhode Island as Certified Nursing Assistants
- Preference for CNAs at Butler Hospital, then Care New England or its successor
Miss Swinburne Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Women living in Newport County
- Direct support of course fees/tuition assistance and/or assistance with support services directly linked to achievement of student’s educational goals
- Preference given to highly motivated women seeking further education or training to become self-supporting
Important: review full requirements
Miss Swinburne Scholarship
- Women living in Newport County
- Direct support of course fees/tuition assistance and/or assistance with support services directly linked to achievement of student’s educational goals
- Preference given to highly motivated women seeking further education or training to become self-supporting
- Not intended for graduate students
- Award: $1,000 - $2,000; past recipients may reapply
