Rhode Island Promise

Rhode Islanders who start at the Community College of Rhode Island in the term right after finishing high school can have tuition and mandatory fees covered for two years of an associate degree program. It is a last-dollar award, so Pell and other grants apply first and the state covers whatever tuition and fees remain. Students generally must have been under 19 when they completed high school or a GED, though those aged 19 to 21 may appeal, and certificate and noncredit programs are excluded. Keeping the award takes continuous full-time enrollment, at least 24 credits in the first year, and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. There is no separate application: file the FAFSA, send CCRI a final high school transcript, and enroll on schedule, which means CCRI's own admission and aid dates govern the timing.

How hard is the Rhode Island Promise to win?

This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.

What drives the odds here

Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.

• Fewer rivalsOpen only to Rhode Island residents
• Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
• Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only

How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.

Who can apply for the Rhode Island Promise?

These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.

• ✓Must be a resident of Rhode Island
• ✓Open to high school seniors
• ✓Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents (green card), DACA/Dreamer students, or undocumented students
• ✓Age 18 or younger

What the application takes

• Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.

Deadline and application cycle

The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Applications open when the FAFSA opens on October 1. CCRI's own admission and aid dates govern, so apply and file the FAFSA in the fall or winter of senior year and confirm what CCRI still needs.

FAFSA opens

October 1, 2026

Apply and enroll at CCRI

Fall to spring of senior year

Final high school transcript to CCRI

After graduation

Award year closes

June 30, 2027

Common questions about the Rhode Island Promise

More state grants & programs

• 802 Opportunity Grant
  Full tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
• Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
  Varies by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
• Alabama Student Grant Program
  Up to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
• Alaska Education Grant
  $500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
• Alaska Performance Scholarship
  $3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
• Arizona Promise Program
  Full tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)

Lists this award appears on

• Rhode Island Scholarships and State Grants
• No-Essay Scholarships
• Full-Tuition and Free-Tuition Programs
• Renewable Scholarships (Multi-Year Awards)
• Community College Scholarships and Transfer Aid
• Scholarships With June Deadlines