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.
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
Nursing
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
College-level
Stand-Alone
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
College-level
Certificate-level
Universal
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
College-level
Nursing
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
College-level
Certificate-level
Universal
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
College-level
Stand-Alone
David L. Taton Family Vocational/Technical Scholarship Fund
Ongoing- Rhode Island residents with financial need
- Attending trade or technical schools in preparation for employment
- Past recipients may reapply
College-level
Universal
United Italian American Inc. Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Rhode Island resident
- Attending two- or four-year college or university
- Superior academic achievement
Important: review full requirements
United Italian American Inc. Scholarship
- Rhode Island resident
- Attending two- or four-year college or university
- Superior academic achievement
- Financial need
- Leadership in school and/or community
- Award: $250-$1,000; past recipients may reapply
College-level
Certificate-level
Universal
Nondas Hurst Voll Scholarship Fund
April 13, 2026- Single mothers seeking to transition off public assistance
- Pursuing higher education or job training beyond high school
- Award: $500-$1,500; past recipients may reapply
College-level
Nursing
Alan Edgar Wurdeman Scholarship Fund
April 13, 2026- Rhode Island residents pursuing LPN or RN nursing degrees
- Attending a school in Rhode Island or Northeastern University School of Nursing
College-level
Universal
Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr. Scholarship
April 13, 2026- Providence public high school junior or senior; award given upon graduation, with proof of acceptance into an accredited post-secondary program
- Recommended by a high school guidance counselor, teacher, principal, advisor, or employer who is aware the student has overcome a serious obstacle in his/her academic path
- Award: $1,000+; non-renewable
