Scholarships
Abbie Hoisington was among the 100 victims who died in The Station nightclub fire in 2003, one of the deadliest fires in the nation’s history. She was only 28 years old, a special education teacher and a graduate student at RIC at the time of her death.
Abbie was posthumously awarded an M.Ed. in 2003. In 2013, as a tribute to Abbie, her parents Bonnie and Lee Hoisington established the Abbie Hoisington Memorial Scholarship Fund through contributions from family members, friends and colleagues to support future teachers of special education.
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student who has been accepted to the special education program.
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Must demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
This fund was established in 2009 by special education teacher Andrea B. Isserlis to help students who are studying to become special education teachers.
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student.
- Must be accepted into a special education program at Rhode Island College.
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Preference is given to students who demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
Helen Forman was a member of the graduating Class of 1934, known as Rhode Island College of Education (RICE) back then. During her career, she taught grades K-12 at different times and was also a special education teacher for 19 years before retiring in the late 1970’s. During this time, she was quoted as saying “……my teaching career in special education was truly the most challenging and most rewarding teaching assignments I ever had.”
During her life she was a dedicated volunteer for many college functions. She was awarded Rhode Island College Alumna of the Year in 1989 and was awarded an honorary doctor of humanities degree in 1999.
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be accepted into a special education undergraduate or graduate program.
- Must have the minimum GPA in general education courses.
- Must have the minimum GPA in special education courses.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to special education (i.e. service to the population, volunteer work, etc.).
- Must demonstrate leadership/community service and must document experience along with a description of service.
- Must present letters of recommendation.
This fund was created to honor the memory of Helene Wynaught Lindstrom, a devoted mother and graduate of the RIC Class of 1939. While Mrs. Lindstrom’s professional teaching career was relatively brief, she had a lifelong interest in learning and was involved in the education of the developmentally disabled for over 50 years. In recognition of her dedication, this fund was established to support an undergraduate in special education with a concentration in severe intellectual disabilities.
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student.
- Must be a Rhode Island resident.
- Must be accepted into a special education program at Rhode Island College.
- Must demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
- Preference is given to special education students concentrating in severe intellectual disabilities.
A special education professor at Rhode Island College for more than 30 years, Paul Sherlock was Rhode Island’s first director of special education, serving from 1959 to 1966. He was also a longtime advocate of individuals with disabilities and their families as a state representative who served a quarter-century in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
Established in 2004 by family, colleagues and friends as a permanent tribute to Paul Sherlock's legacy in the field of special education, this annual scholarship provides support to a scholar undertaking work in a special education-related area of interest. Priority will be given to support research involving collaboration with the Paul V. Sherlock Center at Rhode Island College.
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be accepted into a special education program at Rhode Island College (Undergraduate/Graduate/Ph.D.).
- Maintain satisfactory academic work toward their degree.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to efforts/research related to individuals with disabilities.
- Demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
Romeo R. Romano was a graduate of the special education program at Rhode Island College and recognized for his contributions to educating students with disabilities. He grew up in a working class family in the North End of Providence. He was a very good special educator and earned great respect as a consultant in the Office of Special Education at the Rhode Island Department of Education.
The Romano Award is presented by the faculty of the Special Education Department to an undergraduate who is recognized for dedication to individuals with disabilities.
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be accepted into a undergraduate special education program at Rhode Island College.
- Must have worked with individuals with disabilities.
- Must have the minimum GPA in general education courses.
- Must have the minimum GPA in special education courses.
- Must demonstrate need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
The Joseph McCormick Endowed Scholarship was established in 2021 for students who aspire to pursue careers in special education. The scholarship honors the late Professor Emeritus of Special Education Joseph McCormick and his wife, the late Theodora McCormick.
- To qualify for this scholarship, applicants:
- Must be rising juniors or seniors who are enrolled full time at Rhode Island College.
- Must have completed 60 or more credit hours
- Must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Must be enrolled and accepted into a special education teaching concentration
- Must submit a 500-word essay describing an enjoyable and satisfying interaction with a student(s) with disabilities