Financial Aid for Incoming Graduate Students

Rhode Island College has begun awarding eligible new students financial aid for the 2024-2025 aid year, covering Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025. Students will be emailed when their financial aid award is available in the MyRIC Student Center. 

If you have not done so already, we strongly encourage you to complete the 2024–2025 FAFSA for free as soon as possible.

• RIC's Federal School Code is 003407
• Applicants should fill out all forms completely and accurately in order to avoid delays in processing and possible loss of financial aid

Understanding the 2024-25 FAFSA Filing Updates

No FSA ID?

For parents or students without an FSA ID, you will be prompted to apply for one when you complete the 2024–2025 FAFSA for free. The FSA ID will help you (student or parent) electronically sign the FAFSA.

Please Note: Rhode Island College reserves the right to require verification of income data submitted by any and all applicants for financial assistance. Awards for those who are asked for such verification will be made conditional upon receipt of the requested information/documentation. Forms of documentation or verification that may be requested include, but are not limited to, transcripts of federal income tax returns and copies of authorization letters for untaxed income. Any discrepancy in reported figures may result in adjustment or cancellation of the financial aid award and may be reported to the federal government for further review and possible legal action.

All awards made by or through the College are conditional and are based upon information available to College officials at the time the award is made. All awards are, therefore, subject to change and/or cancellation, should the College become aware of facts, conditions, and/or circumstances that differ from those upon which the award(s) was (were) based. Similarly, all awards are contingent upon the receipt by the College of sufficient funding from state, federal, or other funding sources and/or donors to cover award offers.

For graduate students interested in merit-based scholarships or federal work-study funds, priority is given to students who apply early and before May 1st, 2024. To ensure you are considered for the maximum amount of institutional aid available, you should submit your FAFSA as soon after October 1st as possible.

For graduate students planning to attend Rhode Island College in Fall 2025, the 2025-2026 FAFSA is now available. Please complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Priority is given to students who apply early before May 1st, 2025.

Graduate assistantships are limited to accepted degree candidates who are enrolled full time and include such activities as classroom instruction, preparation for and supervision of laboratory sections, direction of discussion or recitation sections, grading papers, and research.

Graduate student traineeships are limited to accepted M.S.W. degree candidates who are enrolled full time and who are not in the first year of the advanced standing program.

• A limited number of Graduate Tuition scholarships are awarded each year based on merit. These awards range from $375 to $1,500, based on enrollment.
• Scholarship assistance is also available to graduate students through a number of scholarship opportunities in various disciplines. 

The School of Social Work in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Aid offers Master of Social Work Graduate federal Work Study awards to full-time M.S.W. students engaged in field placement. A limited number of new and returning awards are selected by the School of Social Work based on academic credentials and financial need.

The Career Development Center provides information to students who are seeking part-time employment during the academic year or summer employment. Employment opportunities may occur on and off campus, and many of them are career oriented.

Federal Direct Loans

Students interested in borrowing through the Direct Loan program should complete the FAFSA application to determine aid eligibility.

Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year from the Unsubsidized Direct Loan.  In all cases, the total amount of student aid from all programs is limited to a student's total educational costs as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.​

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate students who have remaining educational expenses after borrowing their maximum annual eligibility under the Direct unsubsidized programs may borrow from the PLUS program to meet the remaining portion of their cost of attendance. As noted above, the total amount of student aid from all programs is limited to a student's total educational costs as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

View more information about graduate aid, including Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, interest rates and federally mandated loan fees.

Federal Work-Study Program

This is a part-time employment program based upon financial need. A work-study award is paid biweekly at an hourly rate, based on hours worked. Eligibility is determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid, using information from the FAFSA. The Career Development Center assists work-study students with job placement on or off campus. While work-study students receive priority for job placement, the College cannot guarantee placement in a position.

Students who wish to apply for financial assistance for summer sessions must submit a Rhode Island College Application for Financial Aid-Summer Sessions. Summer Session aid is contingent upon the availability of funds and normally consists of Direct Loans and Federal Work-Study. Preference is given to applicants who file summer applications prior to April 1. ​​​​​