Quick Highlights:
- Rhode Island offers many local scholarships to help students afford college.
- Scholarships are available for various needs, from financial aid to specific fields of study.
- Many scholarships can be renewed yearly, easing the financial burden over time.
- Some scholarships cater to unique groups, such as first-generation college students or arts majors.
Rhode Island may be the tiniest state in the union, but it offers tremendous resources for RI scholarship seekers to get a college education. Nestled on the coast of New England, Rhode Island provides a host of college scholarships for those RI residents looking to supplement their financial aid packages. Local Rhode Island Scholarships are abundant for students of the Ocean State. Paying for college is a huge financial commitment. College scholarships offer many the opportunity to go to institutions they may never have been able to afford otherwise. Enrollment services at a Rhode Island school, such as Brown University, the University of Rhode Island, or the Rhode Island School of Design, just to name a few, can help students find the best Rhode Island scholarships for their needs. Here is a list of some college scholarships exclusively for those students of the Ocean State.
1. Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship
This unique scholarship is for a Rhode Island high school senior whose parents did not graduate from college themselves. The Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship would give a RI student accepted or enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college or university up to $1,000 for their tuition expenses. This award is based on financial need and is renewable for prior recipients.
2. Bach Organ Scholarship
The Bach Organ Scholarship is a $800-$1,000 scholarship for a Rhode Island music major studying the organ. The recipient must be a Rhode Island resident or attending a college or university in the Ocean State. The number of awards vary annually and are dependent upon proof of financial need.
3. Frederick J. Benson Scholarship
The Frederick J. Benson Scholarship is for residents of Rhode Island’s Block Island. A student must have either completed eight years of school on the island or three years of high school. The $500-$2,000 is awarded to college sophomores and is renewable every year after that. The scholarship was created in 1975 to honor long time resident of Block Island Frederick J. Benson; a prominent and well adored native coach, teacher, and author.
4. Bristol Children’s Home Scholarship
Even though the Bristol Children’s Home closed more than 61 years ago, the Bristol Children’s Home Scholarship remains as a testament to the institution’s commitment to the children of Bristol. This scholarship is offered exclusively for residents of Bristol, RI. The recipient must be attending or have been accepted to an accredited college or university. The $500-$2,500 award is given based on financial need. The student must be a U.S. citizen and undergraduate student. The scholarship is renewable for up to an additional three years.
5. James J. Burns and C.A. Haynes Textile Scholarship
The James J. Burns and C.A. Haynes Textile Scholarship is for those Rhode Island students studying textiles at an accredited college or university. Textile area of study includes Apparel and Textile Manufacture, Apparel and Textile Marketing Management, Apparel and Textiles, General Apparel and Textiles, Other Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts, Textile Science, and Textile Sciences and Engineering. The award is generally in the $1,000 and is based on financial need.
6. Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship
The Cataract Fire Company #2 Scholarship is for high school seniors of Warwick, RI.This is a one-time award of $1,500-$2,000 for those entering their first year of academic or vocational/technical postsecondary schooling. This award is not based on prior academic standing.
7. Antonio Cirino Memorial Fellowship
The Antonio Cirino Memorial Fellowship is a financial need based scholarship offered to a graduate student studying arts education. The recipient should have a history of involvement in the arts and the intent to teach. The generous award of this scholarship can get up to $12,000 and is renewable yearly. Graduate students of the Rhode Island School of Design, however, are ineligible. Preference is given to Rhode Island residents living in the state for more than five years.
8. Constant Memorial Scholarship
The Constant Memorial Scholarship is for Rhode Island residents of Aquidneck Island. The $2,000-$5,000 scholarship is for art or music student who demonstrates a serious interest in the visual arts or the study of music. The applicant must be enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in a four-year accredited college or university.
9. Horace and Reverend E. Naomi Craig Scholarship
The Horace and Reverend E. Naomi Craig Scholarship is for middle school students, grades 6-8, who wish to attend a private independent or parochial school. Applicants currently in the 5th, 6th or 7th grades are eligible to apply with proof of acceptance to an accredited school. Preference is given to students from the Sheldon Street Church community, regardless of address, or Providence’s Fox Point neighborhood. The award is rough $2,000 and is renewable for up to three years.
10. A.T. Cross Scholarship
Those children of full-time employees of A.T. Cross Company are eligible to apply for the A.T. Cross Scholarship. Initial awards range from $1,000-$3,000. Renewals range from $300-$2,000. Applicants must be an undergraduate studying full-time at an accredited four-year university or college.
11. Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellows
The Beatrice S. Demers Foreign Language Fellows is a scholarship for Rhode Island residents or current students at a Rhode Island college or university who wishes to pursue foreign language study. The substantial award can range anywhere from $1,000-$20,000 and is available to all levels of study including undergraduate and graduate students, professors, and educators.
12. Aldo Freda Legislative Pages Scholarship
This scholarship is for Rhode Island residents enrolled in a college or university while serving as a Rhode Island Legislative Page. The $1,000-$5000 award is based on financial need and academic achievement to those eligible students deemed good, upstanding citizens of The Ocean State.
13. Jennie M. Kiernan Scholarship
The Jennie M. Kiernan Scholarship is for high school seniors of Blackstone Valley High School in Black Valley, RI. The one-time $500 – $1,000 award is based on financial need. The recipient will be selected based on academic achievement, overall character, and good citizenship.
14. MacColl Johnson Fellowships
The Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship Fund was established in 2003 and provides artist fellowships, rotating annually among composers, writers, and visual artists. Up to three $25,000 fellowships are awarded per year. Regardless of discipline, the Fellowships are awarded to emerging and established Rhode Island artists whose work demonstrates exceptional artistic merit.
You can learn more about the MacColl Johnson Fellowships here.
15. Michael P. Metcalf Memorial Fund and Christine T. Grinavic Adventurer’s Fund
The Michael P. Metcalf Memorial Fund and Christine T. Grinavic Adventurer’s Fund is designed to encourage Rhode Island residents personal growth through travel, study, and public service programs for the first three years of college. These numerous unique scholarships ranging from $2,000-$7,000 are not for academic tuition. It is a one-time award for educational enrichment outside the classroom.
16. MJSA Education Foundation Jewelry Scholarship
The MJSA Education Foundation Jewelry Scholarship is for students pursuing jewelry-related curriculum. The $500-$2,000 is renewable. The MJSA Education Foundation is a non-profit institution which supports programs ensuring the jewelry making industry maintains qualified craftsman. Since 1997, the Foundation has awarded over $170,000 in scholarships to students enrolled in such areas of study such as jewelry design, jewelry making, or other jewelry-related degree programs throughout the United States.
17. Major Jeremiah P. Murphy Scholarship
The Major Jeremiah P. Murphy Scholarship is for children of active, retired, or deceased Providence police officers. The student must be attending an accredited two or four year undergraduate program. Recipients can reapply for the $1,000-$2,500 award.
18. Bernard and Henrietta O’Rourke Scholarship
The Bernard and Henrietta O’Rourke Scholarship is a renewable scholarship for residents of Lincoln, RI. The annual award can reach up to $4,000 and is based on financial need. Recipients can be studying at any accredited undergraduate or graduate institution.
19. Frances L. Macartney Porter Fund
The Frances L. Macartney Porter Fund is for single parents of Rhode Island. Preference given to individuals enrolled in the trades. Awards range from $1,000-$4,000. The number of awards vary by year and are non-renewable.
20. RDW Group, Inc. Minority Scholarship for Communications
The RDW Group, Inc. Minority Scholarship for Communications is for minority students of Rhode Island studying communications at either the undergraduate or graduate level.Previous winners may reapply. The scholarship is for roughly $2,000.
21. Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Nursing Scholarship
The Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Nursing Scholarship is for Rhode Island registered nurses seeking either baccalaureate or graduate nursing degrees within the state. The $500-$3,000 award is based on financial need and is renewable. This scholarship was created by the Routhier Foundation established to honor the couple, particularly Mrs. Routhier, who worked her entire life as a nurse.
22. Miss Swinburne Scholarship
The Miss Swinburne Scholarship is a need based scholarship for women living in Newport County. The scholarship provides support for tuition and other costs associated with pursuing her .educational goals. Preference for this $1,000-$2,000 scholarship is given to highly motivated women seeking further education or training to become self-supporting. Graduate students are ineligible to apply.
23. Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship
The Bruce and Marjorie Sundlun Scholarship is for low-income single parents of Rhode Island. Preference this $1,500 scholarship is given to parents currently or previously receiving state aid, or those who have been previously incarcerated. Recipients must be in an undergraduate program in the state of Rhode Island.
24. Marilynne Graboys Wool Scholarship
The Marilynne Graboys Wool Scholarship is for Rhode Island women who plan to attend law school at an accredited institution. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded based on financial need and is renewable. The number of awards varies annually. The recipient must be a United States citizen and be committed to studying law full-time.
25. Alan Edgar Wurdeman Scholarship Fund
The Alan Edgar Wurdeman Scholarship Fund is for Rhode Island residents pursuing an LPN or RN nursing degree in either a Rhode Island college or university or at Northeastern University School of Nursing. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better. Preference is given to students who are committed to remaining in Rhode Island after graduation. The $2,000 award is renewable.
26. Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr. Scholarship
The Sergeant Cornel Young, Jr. The scholarship is for high school juniors attending public high school in Providence, RI. The student must have overcome a serious academic obstacle and be nominated by a high school guidance counselor. The one-time $1,000 award is given upon graduation the following year with proof of acceptance into an accredited college or university.
27. Beacon Brighter Tomorrows Scholarship
The Beacon Brighter Tomorrows Scholarship is a financial need-based scholarship awarded to a dependent child whose parent sustained a work-related injury with an employer who had workers’ compensation insurance with Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, and whose parent collected permanent disability, collected for an accepted fatality claim, either resulting in a favorable and final resolution, or had at least 6 months of qualifying indemnity benefits with at least some of the payment occurring during the last calendar year. The student must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and have maintained a grade point average of “C” or better for the past two years.
28. Victor Blanco Memorial Scholarship
The Victor Blanco Memorial Scholarship was created by the Latino Dollars for Scholars Foundation. It is for any Latino residents of Rhode Island demonstrating financial need.
29. Corning Glass Works Scholarship
The Corning Glass Works Scholarship is only available to those students who previously received a Corning Glass Works Scholarship. It is given to eligible high school seniors from any public or private high schools in Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, and Pawtucket, RI. Applicant must be nominated by their high school principal and will be selected by academic achievement, overall character, good citizenship, and financial need.
30. Johnston Lions Armand Muto Scholarship
The Johnston Lions Armand Muto Scholarship is for a graduating senior of Johnston, RI. The student must be attending an accredited college or university. Award amounts vary and are renewable. An eligible applicant must demonstrate financial need.
31. Lawrence, Allen, Singletary Scholarship
The Lawrence, Allen, Singletary Scholarship is for Hope or Central High School graduating senior(s)in good standing. They must be able to demonstrate financial need and have maintained a GPA of 2.75 or higher. They should have active participation in an organized local religious organization or group and demonstrate community and civic involvement, including volunteer activities. The scholarship is renewable.
32. Catherine T. Murray Scholarship
The Catherine T. Murray Scholarship is specifically designed for Rhode Island residents 18 years of age or older with a disability. The scholarship was created by the Ocean State Center for Independent Living. It offers up to $1,000 annually for use in enrollment at an academic, trade, or vocational program, or for any equipment or device which would aid in the educational process.
33. Willard and Marjorie Scheibe Nursing Scholarship
The Willard and Marjorie Scheibe Nursing Scholarship is for a Rhode Island resident pursuing an LPN, RN or advanced nursing degree. The award varies and is based on financial need. It is also renewable.
34. Westerly College Club / Lois Hamilton Fontaine Scholarship
The Westerly College Club / Lois Hamilton Fontaine Scholarship is for residents of the towns of Hopkinton, Richmond, Westerly, RI, and Stonington or North Stonington, CT, who is or will be attending an accredited four-year institution. Annual awards are given to undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of one semester and demonstrate financial need, as well as academic achievement. Finalists will be invited to interview. A number of awards and amount were given may vary.
We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.