Rhode Island College to Begin Offering Hope Scholarship in Fall 2023

Providence, RI – Rhode Island College announced today that it will begin offering the Hope Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year, after the funding to pilot the scholarship program passed through both houses of the General Assembly and was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee as part of the state budget

“On behalf of our entire Rhode Island College community – and most of all, on behalf of all the Rhode Islanders for whom this scholarship will be the key to their success – I want to thank Gov. McKee, House Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, House Majority Leader Pearson, House Education Chair McNamara and the entire General Assembly,” said Dr. Jack Warner, president of Rhode Island College. “Their leadership and vision have led to this transformational investment in public higher education that will pay dividends to Rhode Island for years to come.”

The Hope Scholarship will make the final two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree at the state’s comprehensive public college tuition-free for Rhode Island residents who meet the criteria. The legislation funds a five-year pilot to create an earned merit, last-dollar scholarship that will close the gap after students in their junior and senior years have exhausted all other forms of financial aid.

The scholarship will be available to both new and current RIC students, as well as some adult students who meet certain criteria. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Rhode Island residents who qualify for in-state tuition, be enrolled on a full-time basis, have declared a major, maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 and earned a minimum of 60 credits towards an eligible program of study. Students must also commit to live, work or continue their education in Rhode Island after graduation.

The scholarship pilot is one of several major investments in Rhode Island College included in this year’s budget. There is also funding to launch the new Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies to be led by former congressman and RIC alumnus James Langevin ’90, as well as additional support for the college’s new biotechnology major.

“The Hope Scholarship will be an important tool in building the highly educated workforce to drive Rhode Island’s economic future,” added Warner. “We know that a high-quality degree from Rhode Island College is the pathway to social mobility for so many Rhode Islanders. This scholarship opens that pathway for many more people. It’s not just the scholarship recipients who benefit, but the entire state as we strengthen public higher education.”

For more information, please visit RIC Hope Scholarship FAQs.